4 Steps for Supporting Children With Sensory Processing Disorder

One of the most common signs of autism spectrum disorders is sensory processing disorder. People with this condition have trouble reacting to stimuli in standard ways and may struggle in environments that are overly loud or crowded. If your children have been diagnosed with sensory processing issues related to autism, take the following steps to support their wellbeing and development.

1. Understand Their Progress

You need to monitor your children's sensory processing development so that you know when they're nearing overload. Signs of overload include crying, shaking, having problems focusing, and displaying irritability. These reactions are all ways of exhibiting that your children need to find a safe space, but you don't want to wait until this point to remove the harmful stimulus. Instead, use a diagnostic tool such as the SPM-2 to assess your children's sensory processing benchmarks. The tool gives you advice on how to handle the moments when you lose track of your children's mental health and suggestions about your occupational therapy options.

2. Work With Professionals

Taking the responsibility of your children's emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing onto yourself alone is too much for you. Thankfully, there are many professionals waiting to help you. Talk to your primary care provider about autism spectrum disorder specialists who your insurance company covers. Work with guidance counselors and the special education department at your children's school to make the best educational plan for them. By including these experts in your efforts to support your children's sensory processing needs, you reduce the chances that they will reach overload.

3. Skip Experiences That Trigger Sensory Overload

Some people with sensory processing disorder engage in exposure therapy, reaching new SPM-2 benchmarks as they become accustomed to previously triggering stimuli. Regardless of whether your children are in exposure therapy, avoid taking them to places that you know overwhelm them. For example, if one child has trouble with loud noises, taking him or her to a basketball game or concert is a bad idea. If another becomes overwhelmed by flashing lights, the movie theater is not the best place to spend your Friday night. Unless your pediatrician or therapist suggests otherwise, choose family experiences that are easily enjoyed by everyone.

4. Avoid Value Judgments

People with conditions such as autism spectrum disorders have long faced discrimination, harassment, and prejudice. Thanks to legislation such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, attitudes towards people with special needs are improving. However, as you track your children's progress, you must be careful to avoid reverting to value judgments about your children or allowing other people to make value-related comments. For example, you should celebrate your children's accomplishments, but you should not see meltdowns or signs of sensory overload as a failure. Demonstrate your love and support to your children, regardless of how well their occupational therapy is progressing.

Caring for children with sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders can be challenging. Keep these four tips in mind to maximize your resources, minimize burnout, and prioritize your children.

WPS is a leading publisher of autism and sensory processing measures. Learn more about the new SPM-2 today!

Choosing The Best Wooden Pergolas For Your Outdoor Space

Whenever we talk about wooden pergolas, the image that comes to mind is 4 poles on which a network of horizontal and transverse beams is placed. This framework is what gives strength to the structure and on which a cover, an awning, or a vine is arranged. So far very good, but what differentiates one pergola from others? Why do almost all of them seem different? Let's take an in-depth look.

Vegan Holiday Gift Guide 2020 - Best Gifts for Vegans and Animal Rights Activists

I am going to be putting this gift guide together as I go for 2020! That means this will be a growing list of Vegan Holiday Gifts as I shop and I'll add it here if I really like something and it is vegan. Please know that if you use my links I may receive a small commission. Thank you for stopping by!

Vegan BOOKS

Voices for Animal Liberation: Inspirational Accounts by Animal Rights Activists

The Top 5 Overlooked Reasons You're Not Losing Weight

Have you tried everything possible to lose weight, but still aren't seeing any positive results? One of the most frustrating aspects of any diet, or exercise regimen, is putting your all into it and not seeing weight reduction. It's at this point that most people give up. Before you throw in the towel, make sure you've considered any underlying causes that could be thwarting your efforts. Here are five overlooked reasons you may not be losing weight.

Journaling Your COVID-19 Experience

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed how people view daily life. This is true of other generations who experienced world-shaping events. One of the most unique ways you can understand and cope at this time is to put into words how the pandemic has personally touched your life. Mental health experts agree that journaling in the time of COVID-19 is a healthy way to examine your feelings and an invaluable way to gain perspective for the future. A writer can choose how to articulate a personal journey through creative expression. The important outcome is that individuals gain a sense of purpose and meaning as they commit personal stories to words.

5 Ways to Live Your Best Life at Any Age

Planning your retirement means you'll finally have the time to do the things you never quite had time to do. Whether that means exploring the world around you or simply taking the time to look back on a life well lived and appreciate all that you've experienced, living your best life is possible at any age. Here are five tips for doing just that.

Adding Value To Your House

Adding value to your house can help you get more money if you want to refinance or sell it. Small improvements can lead to a great payoff in the long run. Here are a few ways you can do this.

Improve the Curb Appeal

The first thing anyone sees as they come to your house is the landscape. Mow your lawn and keep it to a manageable level. Repair broken siding, trim, and shingles. This improves the appearance of your structure as well as protects it from damage. Keep bushes trimmed and plants weeded so they are appealing to passersby. Fill the cracks in your sidewalks and driveway. This keeps visitors from tripping and injuring themselves. During the winter, keep these surfaces shoveled and sanded to prevent them from slipping.

Four Eco-Friendly Dog Grooming Tips

As a dog owner, you probably love when your dog smells clean and fresh. Keeping them clean during all different kinds of weather might mean you have to bathe them twice a week or more, depending on how much you get them outside. However, using a lot of shampoo, soap, and other products can contribute to pollution, both in the waterways and in landfills. If you haven’t thought about it before, you may want to consider taking on the grooming duties but with less environmental impact. 

Some owners need a professional groomer to help out once in a while, especially if your dog is fussy while being groomed. Trained and educated staff can help with anxious pups for more specific services you wouldn’t want to necessarily do yourself without the right knowledge.

For those other times when you can handle the grooming duties yourself and want to leave less of an environmental footprint, here are the top four tips for eco-friendly grooming. 

28 Easy Vegan Kids Lunches

Here's a list of easy kids lunch ideas especially for picky eaters. We have 14 tasty plant based lunch ideas kids generally seem to like, then we add fruit and snacks for a lunch that is both filling, healthy, and fun.

Vegan Kids Lunches (mains):

1. Peanut Butter and Jelly
2. Almond Butter and Jam
3. Cashew Butter and Fruit Preserves
4. Peanut Butter and Apple Slices
5. Almond Butter and Strawberry Slices
6. Cashew Butter and Banana Slices
7. Banana Rolled in a Tortilla with Sunflower Butter
8. Field Roast Mini Corn Dogs
9. Gardein Crispy Tenders
10. Tofurky and Chao Cheese
11. Yves Ham and Follow Your Heart Cheese
12. Lunchable-style - Crackers, Vegan Meat, Vegan Cheese
13. Field Roast or Lightlife Hot Dog(s) with a bun or bread or Sliced into bite sized pieces
14. Pasta with vegan butter and Spaghetti Sprinkle on top

Both of my kids are vegan. They are in preschool and 2nd grade and are both picky eaters which in one way, makes it kind of easy because they don't care for a lot of new foods or variety. We have a quick list of simple, palatable foods that they like as mains above. Then I fill the lunchbox with fruit, snacks, and a little something sweet every day. Here are 30 of our Vegan Kids Lunches: