Sensory Help Now

This month we're focusing on getting back into everyday routines.  

With the festive season behind us and a new year already underway, it can sometimes be a struggle to settle back into our daily routines. While the new year can be an exciting time, for individuals with sensory integration or sensory processing difficulties, it can also be anxiety-provoking as it brings its own challenges with new routines or changes to existing routines.

In this month's Resources blog, we've included lots of useful information, articles and resources to help support family members with sensory differences who may be struggling to get back into their everyday routines.

Morning Sensory Routines to Get the Day Started on The Right Foot – children can often struggle with getting up in the morning, getting out the door, or being focused at school or nursery. This great blog post from Your Kid’s Table highlights seven morning sensory routines that offer simple sensory activities and strategies for when a child wakes up to help balance and regulate their sensory system, often positively impacting the rest of their day.

My Sensory System Works Differently - this article from Autism Parenting Magazine is written by non-verbal teenager Navneet who is on the autism spectrum and provides some useful insights into living a life with sensory processing differences. 

‘I Promise I'm Not Trying to Be Inconsiderate’ – this article from Psychology Today looks at how neurodivergent people are often misunderstood in social situations and how the 'double empathy problem' asserts that we are most likely to understand individuals of our own neurotype. The article discusses how appreciation for neurodiversity and differences in communication could help bridge this gap.

To the Teacher of My Child with Sensory Processing Disorder - this interesting article is written in the format of a parent writing to their child’s teacher, explaining how their child experiences sensory processing differences and how the teacher and school can support them. Please note this article refers to Sensory Processing Disorder rather than Sensory Processing Differences.

How to Prepare for Expected and Unexpected Change – this article by James Ward-Sinclair, an autistic writer, discusses why routine is so important for autistic people as well as what can be done to prepare an autistic person for when change ransacks the routine in our lives.

Sensory Processing and the Teenage Years - teenage years can be tough, especially for those with sensory processing difficulties. This guide from Growing Hands-On Kids sets out some great ideas and suggestions on how to support teens with sensory processing difficulties.

Self-care for Kids: 6 Ways to Self-regulate - self-care isn't something many children think about. But just like the adults in their lives, children can get stressed too and they don't always have strategies to help them self-regulate. Self-regulation is about having ways to calm down when facing stressful or anxious situations and this useful article from Understood sets out six activities children can use to self-regulate (without needing adults to do it with them or for them). 

Cats and Autism: Improving Social Skills in Children - cats are some of our best furry companions but most people aren't aware that there's a wonderful connection between cats and autism. Not only are cats excellent cuddle buddies, but they can also provide unique support and enhance the lives of children on the spectrum. This insightful article from Autism Parenting Magazine delves into the connection between cats and autism and explores how these feline creatures can help.

NB: Sensory Help Now is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Help Now.