How to Battle Sensory Sensitivity

     This past Winter I went with my kids and husband to the local Christmas Parade to see Santa.  As I stood there, I saw the big red fire engine inch its way towards me with its flashing lights and blaring sirens.  The part I dread, the beginning of the parade, was underway.  As it has been a couple of years since going to a parade, I sadly realized I did not have anything to cover my ears with, and try as I might, the lights were just as unavoidable as they bounced off the nearby shops’ windows.  I raised my hands to my ears, not caring what anyone thought at this point.  As I turned my back to the lights, I saw a young boy crouching on the ground, covering his ears, and squeezing his eyes shut. There was no guessing on my part as to why he looked so unhappy. He, like I, has sensory sensitivities.  While I stood with my ears covered, and my son ran off to a quieter place get away from it all, this little boy had no tools to help himself.  And from the looks of his parents’ reactions, they had no idea why he was behaving the way he was.  And sadly, as I have seen many times before, they looked around embarrassed, without knowing how to comfort their son.

     I was in their shoes once, not understanding why my son would suddenly be lying on the ground screaming or running off. But once I learned what Sensory was, a whole new world opened up for me to be able to support my son and daughter.  While many of us may recognize and know what Sensory Processing Disorder is, it is unique to each person, and there are many layers to it. 

     The most interesting and mind-blowing nugget of information I learned a few years ago is that a child can be both sensory sensitive (shy away from lights, sounds, textures, etc.) AND have a need for sensory input (movement, music, textures, etc.)  As an example, my daughter will not wear certain clothing fabrics, but her go-to calming tool is rubbing her lips on her blanket.  Once I completed a sensory survey for my two kids, figured out their likes and dislikes, I was able to put a Sensory Diet together for each of them.  

     Now when we go somewhere that I know will be loud, bright, or smell a certain way, the tools are there for each of us to use and be able enjoy ourselves.