Out of Routine

Today was the last day of Spring break.  No school for the last 6 days....and being out of routine is starting to wear on Charlie.  Throw in a holiday and the poor kid doesn't know what to expect.  I was home with the boys as I always am on Mondays and our day started out pretty decent.  Early on in the day Charlie voiced his need to go to the park.  I could tell he was starting to get worn down, a little on edge- getting frustrated from the smallest things.  I agreed, yes, he definitely needs the park.  And when I say NEED, I truly mean he NEEDS the park.  Remember I talked about Charlie's sensory issues?  Well, the park is the perfect place for him to get the sensory input his body needs.

Charlie's body doesn't perceive sensory input like the rest of us do.  It took me a long time to learn and understand this about my boy.  I was so confused when he was younger why he was constantly moving, running, jumping, banging into objects and other people, loves deep pressure/or having tight squeezes, or otherwise loved to be in constant motion at ALL TIMES.  When I began learning more about his sensory needs it was very clear he is a sensory seeker.  He seeks out certain feelings or sensations because his body is under-responsive to these things.  So it's almost like his body craves more sensations.  So yes, the park is a great place for him to get the sensory input he needs.  This kid could swing all day if you'd let him (and trust me, he's been asking to go to the park 3-4 times/day lately.  As soon as we get home from the park he's begging to go again).  Climbing, sliding, running, jumping, twirling....all things you do at the park helps Charlie to feel calm, secure and connected to his surroundings.

It's tough for him to get started on the monkey bars since he's so little, but once he gets going on them he does pretty well.  That swinging motion and the pressure on his joints in his hands and arms is the perfect activity for him to do.  I have a feeling we'll be spending a large portion of our summer at the park this year.  Which is fine, totally fine, especially since we have 2 within walking distance from our house.  

The park can be considered part of Charlie's "sensory diet."  A sensory diet- no not a food diet- rather, activities we do with Charlie to help him feel safe, calm, relaxed and happy.  We learned about his sensory needs when he was in OT a couple years ago.  We were fortunate enough to have an amazing OT that helped us learn and taught us things we could do with Charlie at home to help him.  If any of you have been to our house you know we have a "crash pad" or basically a gigantic pillow that Charlie can use to safely jump/crash into when he needs that input.  Sometimes he does a free fall from the couch when the crash pad is laying on the floor next to the couch.  Usually when he needs this input he will free fall over and over and over again until his body is satisfied.  

Other things we use in Charlie's sensory diet are a weighted blanket, heavy "work" or heavy lifting (I know, sounds like child labor- but believe me it's not).  Rolling him up tight in a blanket, giving tight hugs, joint compressions (please don't do these unless you've been properly shown how to do them), rocking in a rocking chair, tickling (really gets him to do deep breathing and work those tummy muscles), brushing with the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol, hanging him upside down and slightly swinging him. Seriously there are so many things we do to help him each day.  Some of these things have become second hand to us and we don't even realize we are doing them with him as a therapeutic benefit anymore. And it did take us a long time to figure out what worked for him.  We had the help of an amazing OT and I would encourage anyone needing more information to reach out to someone in that field to help you figure out specifically what your kiddo needs.  Because what works for my Charlie may not work for your child.  Perhaps your child is more sensory defensive and won't like these fast paced, crazy motions like mine does.  Each child is a little different in what works for them.  

1st weighted blanket when he was 2- made by mom

Charlie's current weighted blanket- also made by mom

So yes, if you ever come to my house don't be surprised that I'm the mom who doesn't mind if the kids slam themselves into the crash pad.  Or don't be alarmed if you drive by our house and see my husband in the yard holding our child upside down by his feet...it's therapeutic!  We're in the process to hopefully get an indoor swing for Charlie along with some other sensory rich toys/tools that he can use at home.

He could ride the Carousel all day

Loved the weight of his dog while he slept

Tell me...if you have a child with sensory needs- are they seekers or avoiders?  What's in your child's sensory diet?