This is part 4 in a 10 part series leading up to Thanksgiving by our parent contributor, Beth Lattime. You can read part 3 here.
Team up for sensory needs.
Don’t be a hero and don’t try to act like one. Remember the gravy boat is half full not empty. Find the party goers that are willing to help you. Hopefully you have at least one? If not, I can guide you with some behavioral strategies for yourself here as well.
If you have family and friends that you feel comfortable with more than others, ask them ahead of time if they would mind getting up to walk your child around outside or in another room. Let them know what you do when you give your child a chance to regroup as a result of sensory overload or overstimulation. If you are on your own, can you bring things with you or think through the environment you are entering to best serve your child’s needs? For instance, does Cousin Johnny have a CD player that you can utilize with a set of headphones for your kiddo who calms down to classical music? Does Aunt Jane care if your kiddo plays the piano after they finish a few bites of their food? Be mobile, but have a structured plan. If you aren’t sure how to do this, ask your child’s occupational therapist or teacher what they do to help your child regain focus during the school day.
*Beth
Lattime, M. Ed. is a developmental specialist and intervention specialist. Her
professional experiences span over classroom, clinical, home-based, and
recreational environments. She can now proudly add her own natural environments
to her list of experiences. Ethan was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms in 2012
which is a rare type of epilepsy and had a former diagnosis of dysphasia. He is
currently undergoing intensive therapies at LLA for apraxia and deficits in the
arenas of physical and occupational therapy as well. For more on Beth’s story,
visit www.lattimeinterventionservices.com
Labels: Parents