Sensory Integration Education

In this month’s SI Resources blog, we’ve put together articles, guides, books and products to help us better understand some of the sensory challenges facing individuals as we approach the festive season.

Coping with Christmas Sensory Challenges  - this is a throwback to the Sensory Help Now blog we published last year. In the blog we highlight the sensory challenges Christmas can bring – bright lights, loud noises, strong smells and changes to routines, to name a few – and offer up some tips and suggestions to help children and teens with sensory processing differences manage the changes and challenges presented during the festive season.

10 Ways for Schools to Create a Sensory-Friendly Festive Period for All Students – published on our sister website Sensory Inclusive Schools, this is one to share if you work in a school environment! The festive season can be one of the busiest times of the year for schools, with classrooms decorated, special assemblies and trips planned, and students eagerly awaiting the holidays. However, these changes of routine can be overwhelming for some children, particularly those with sensory processing differences. In this blog, we highlight 10 ideas schools can implement to help create sensory-safe, inclusive celebrations for everyone.

The Sensory Challenge of Christmas – for some children with special educational needs (SEN), the build-up to Christmas with the changes in routine over the Christmas holidays, the surprise element of opening presents and meeting relatives they haven’t seen for the rest of the year can be completely overwhelming and often a recipe for meltdowns. In this SENsational Tutors article, SIE’s Dr Lelanie Brewer discusses how every child with SEN will have their own profile of strengths and difficulties on the sensory front and suggests ways parents can prepare for any potential sensory overwhelm.

These 3 Hidden Senses May Affect You Differently If You’re Neurodivergent – most people are familiar with the five senses—sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing. However, we also have three “hidden” senses—interoception, vestibular, and proprioception—that can affect our daily lives. These senses may affect neurodivergent people differently than neurotypical individuals. This insightful article from Verywell Health looks at how neurodivergent individuals may experience these 3 hidden senses.

'I felt broken until my autism diagnosis at 70' - until he turned 70, Andrew Davies was one of the estimated 90% of autistic people over 50 who are undiagnosed. This article highlights the importance of assessment and support for autistic older adults and also considers the impact of their sensory differences on participation in daily activities.

Autism and Clumsiness: Understanding Motor Skills Challenges - clumsiness and autism often go hand in hand, raising questions such as, “Is clumsiness a sign of autism?” or “What is the connection between autism and clumsiness?” Motor coordination difficulties in autism, often associated with neurological developmental differences, can extend into adulthood. This article from Autism Parenting Magazine looks at the importance of understanding how clumsiness and autism intersect is essential in supporting children and adults in improving their motor skills and confidence.

Books and Product Ideas

My Unique ADHD World

Written by Emma Goodall and Charlotte Brownlow, this practical and informative book* demystifies interoception and provides tools to help boost interoceptive abilities. It summarises the latest research, explores how interoceptive difficulties can be identified, suggests strategies to manage feelings and emotions, and explains how to support individuals in 'tuning in' to themselves.

We Are the Dyspraxia Champions!

If you are working with a child who is dyspraxic, they may struggle with things like balance, being messy or breaking things, or even spatial awareness. However, dyspraxic kids also have many talents and strengths. This book introduces different dyspraxic children who can do amazing things. For example, some dyspraxic children have excellent memories, some are super flexible, some love making their friends laugh, or have brilliant imaginations, some are great at focusing really hard, and some have loads of energy, and bounce off the walls!

The book provides advice and guidance on how parents and teachers can support a child with suspected or diagnosed dyspraxia at home or in the classroom and provides further resources and bonus content.

Surviving the Seasons: An Autism Guide

Part of the collection "The Making of the Mask", Sophie McLelland's new book* explores what Christmas can look like for many autistic people and the challenges they may face. The book is packed full of personal experiences as well as ways to host an autism-friendly Christmas.

Balance Board

This children's balance board* is not only fun to play with, but also conducive to training children’s coordination ability and sense of balance. The rocking process will stimulate their vestibular system and promote brain development. The edges and corners are rounded to prevent potential injuries and the anti-slip strip design makes the playing and working out safer. The board is lightweight, easy to move and carry, allowing it to be used indoors or outdoors.

Textured Sensory Stones Fidget Set

Quiet and easy to roll in one hand, these textured, durable, bright, stretchy, calming sensory toys* offer a unique tactile experience with 6 different textures and tensions to help relieve stress and anxiety. They’re a great fidget sensory set for children to avoid finger picking, control nervous habits and help to meet their sensory needs through play and touch.

Interlocking Balance Beams

Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, this wooden toy* comprises 6 balance beams, 6 wooden connectors and 6 stepping stones that children can use their imagination to freely combine into different shapes and find endless fun.

The colourful felt cover of the stepping stone can help children identify different colours, while the balance beam can be set to different degrees of obstacles to promote the hand-eye coordination and logical reasoning ability of toddlers and young children aged 3-7 years.

*Affiliate link: SIE may earn a commission (at zero cost to you) when you purchase by clicking on an affiliate link.

NB: Sensory Integration Education is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Integration Education.