Sensory Tips for Family and Social Gatherings
Written by: Angie Voss, OTR

Look at the difference in body language and state of regulation...barely holding it together in this situation...

MUCH better in a quiet, one on one setting, same day, same place...
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Take note of my son in the plaid shirt...dysregulated...ready to blow a fuse.
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Take note of him again, same day, same place, just in an adapted setting to best suit his sensory preferences.
Most of us look forward to the excitement of holidays and time spent with family and friends, as well as the overall holiday atmosphere in the home...please take a moment to step back and think about how you can help those with sensory differences. It may not be your own child, but a niece/nephew, a grandchild, or a friend's busy little toddler.  The multi-sensory challenges and social expectations which go hand in hand with the holidays and family gatherings can be completely overwhelming for a child with sensory differences.  Episodes of fight or flight, sensory overload, and/or a sensory meltdown are bound to happen UNLESS you are sensory prepared!  

Ten sensory tips to help during social and family gatherings:
  1. Create a sensory retreat, even if you are travelling or will be outside of the home at a friend or relative's house, create a safe place for the child to retreat to if sensory overload occurs.  Bring along a body sock or squish box as the portable sensory retreat.
  2. Provide deep pressure touch to the arms and legs as needed throughout the day, and lots of bear hugs..this promotes self-regulation and provides calming and soothing sensory input.
  3. Keep in mind that 10-15 minutes at the dinner table will likely be the maximum amount of time the child can handle.  A kid friendly side table with a ball chair as the seat would be best.
  4. It is important to remember that asking the child to try new foods during an already challenging sensory experience may be out of the question...the child's nervous system is already stressed. This is of particular importance when feeding challenges are already present.
  5. Prior to the group situation, prepare the child’s nervous system with a 15-minute movement and heavy/hard work activity...2 of the power sensations.
  6. Provide sensory tools for defensiveness and other self-regulation tools such as earplugs, headphones, compression clothing, a fidget toy, weighted blanket, vibrating pillow, or an oral sensory tool...depending on the child's sensory needs. Here are tips for creating a portable sensory toolkit! 
  7. Do not push the child to the limit. If he/she is showing signs of over-stimulation, allow the child to take a break in a less stimulating room, preferably a sensory retreat.
  8. Do not insist on eye contact or verbal communication.  Let it happen naturally.  This will be especially challenging in a group situation, with people the child perhaps does not see on a regular basis.
  9. Encourage inverting the head, this is a great way to promote and support self-regulation and can be done just about anywhere.
  10. Bring along a copy or two of this printable handout to help educate and inform family members on sensory differences and how to best interact and respect your child's sensory needs.