Since the beginning of the year, Minneapolis-St. Paul International has been part in a new program to help the kids prepare for air travel.
For the Nielsen family, the already overwhelming adventure at the airport brings additional worries... more >
Showing posts with label sensory overload. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sensory overload. Show all posts
April 13, 2013
Air travel made easier for children with autism
Since the beginning of the year, Minneapolis-St. Paul International has been part in a new program to help the kids prepare for air travel.
For the Nielsen family, the already overwhelming adventure at the airport brings additional worries... more >
December 16, 2012
Autism and the battle against textures
Liz Becker
Sensation, whether visual, auditory or tactile, can be difficult for the autistic individual. Overcoming the onslaught, dealing with the sensations and figuring out how to interact in an environment filled with these uncomfortable and some times overwhelming stimuli are a daily ritual for many autistic children. Over the years my son has learned not only how to accept them, but has also figured out how to lessen the impact. Matt is 26 years old, (almost 27), and has spent 25 of those years navigating sensory overload. Over the years I have watched him learn and grow and just like every child, on the spectrum or not, he continues to learn how to interact in a complex world. I wonder, how much of his success can be directly related to his desire to interact with his environment?
This past month we carved pumpkins for Halloween. Now Matt has drawn on pumpkins before, has even tried carving before, but this year he did it all. From cutting the cap to cleaning out the goo to creating a design to carving, Matt did it all. While all of these things required interaction and creativity I am most impressed with his ability to think through a problem– more specifically, a sensory problem – and come up with a solution all by himself. Watching him I became convinced that his desire to succeed outweighed the obstacles his autism placed before him.
Read more >
Sensation, whether visual, auditory or tactile, can be difficult for the autistic individual. Overcoming the onslaught, dealing with the sensations and figuring out how to interact in an environment filled with these uncomfortable and some times overwhelming stimuli are a daily ritual for many autistic children. Over the years my son has learned not only how to accept them, but has also figured out how to lessen the impact. Matt is 26 years old, (almost 27), and has spent 25 of those years navigating sensory overload. Over the years I have watched him learn and grow and just like every child, on the spectrum or not, he continues to learn how to interact in a complex world. I wonder, how much of his success can be directly related to his desire to interact with his environment?
This past month we carved pumpkins for Halloween. Now Matt has drawn on pumpkins before, has even tried carving before, but this year he did it all. From cutting the cap to cleaning out the goo to creating a design to carving, Matt did it all. While all of these things required interaction and creativity I am most impressed with his ability to think through a problem– more specifically, a sensory problem – and come up with a solution all by himself. Watching him I became convinced that his desire to succeed outweighed the obstacles his autism placed before him.
Read more >
September 12, 2012
Body Brushing Your Autistic Child
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| Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
Majority of autistic children have a case of sensory integration disorder. This afferent condition is the outcome of the brain’s inability to consolidate information from the five basic sensory systems in the body. This often results to a sensory overload which could sometimes lead to a temper tantrum.
When you notice that your child is feeling overwhelmed from too much sensory stimulation, you can relax his nervous system by using a technique called body brushing, also known as dry brushing. This technique will provide your autistic child with the same sensation of movements or stimulus which will make him feel comfortable. This technique can be learned from an occupational therapist. If you are on the lookout for one, you can ask your child’s physician to refer you to one.
To perform the body brushing techniques, you need to buy a soft, surgical, plastic brush which has very soft bristles to ensure that your child’s skin will not be scratched. The right way to body brush your child is by holding the brush horizontal to the body while applying substantial pressure and evenly stroking it in an up and down motion. READ MORE >>
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
When you notice that your child is feeling overwhelmed from too much sensory stimulation, you can relax his nervous system by using a technique called body brushing, also known as dry brushing. This technique will provide your autistic child with the same sensation of movements or stimulus which will make him feel comfortable. This technique can be learned from an occupational therapist. If you are on the lookout for one, you can ask your child’s physician to refer you to one.
To perform the body brushing techniques, you need to buy a soft, surgical, plastic brush which has very soft bristles to ensure that your child’s skin will not be scratched. The right way to body brush your child is by holding the brush horizontal to the body while applying substantial pressure and evenly stroking it in an up and down motion. READ MORE >>
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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