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Special Words for Special Needs ~ Spring is Here and the Sensory Seekers are Jumping!

12:38 AM, Mar. 20, 2009

Welcome to Spring! I am a gardener at heart. Born and raised in the heart of Ohio. Spring for a farmer means time to get dirty. There are fields to be plowed, seeds to be planted. Then the barn is full of newborns that need tending. You worked hard and went to bed with a sense of accomplishment. That sense of physical peace is what your sensory-seeking child is yearning for. Spring is here so lets look for some ways to feed that yearning!

1. Heavy Work: Carrying mulch, digging in the garden, helping to move landscaping rocks The goal is to provide some weight and heft but not to hurt or over tired your child.

2.Get Dirty! Lighten up mom, let them make dirt cakes! Provide some water or shovels and let them make a royal mess in the garden before planting. This feeds that constant seeking for sensory input so that your walls and furniture don't take the brunt of their special energy!

We planted these seeds indoors. I poured the dirt into the white box and poured in water. I had my sensory boy "stir". It was so much fun--Smiley, my sensory defensive daughter, tried to help. She made me proud that she tries so hard even when it is uncomfortable!

3. Play in the rain. Later in spring when the temperature warms up think about letting the kids dress in swimsuits and play in the rain. The constant feeling of rain drops (like the shower) can help organize their senses and make for better controlled behaviors.

4. Plant seeds together. Sensory seekers often need to control the fine motor skill better. Seeds can be a way to help your child increase their fine motor control.

It was a bit messy but the kids and I had a blast planting these seeds over the last 2 days.

5. Eat the from the garden. First, the food from your garden is the healthiest food you can get. Second the food straight from your garden tends to have a brighter, better flavor. Sensory seekers can really appreciate that difference. Try eating some early peas right from the shell. Crunchy, yummy, and vastly different from anything sold at the store.

Sensory seekers are not the cleanest children to raise. Their intensity will make them some of the most interesting! Slow and steady wins this race. Let them have intense experiences, like a swim suit rain party. Teach them to control themselves, like on Sunday morning you must have shoes on, not sandals. You will make a difference and your child will flourish thanks to your wonderful help! God bless and enjoy this beautiful season the Lord has made!

Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 7 years. Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal! Visit Heather's at GFCF Mom of Many or Special Needs Homeschooling

Posted in specialneeds, 3 comments, Link
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Thank you!

11:03 AM, Mar. 20, 2009, posted by Anonymous

Thank you for these suggestions! I'll definitely try them with my sensory-seeking 10yo son. I just planted my first tray of indoor seeds yesterday, and didn't involve him at all, never occurred to me. When the rest of my ordered seeds arrive, I'll get him to help me with the second flat.

And I never thought of the heavy work! I'm buying many bags of compost (starting my own pile this summer, finally, but for now I still need to buy it), peat, vermiculite, and potting soil, and he can help with that and with the wood we'll be using to build raised beds.

He doesn't like getting his hands dirty and goopy, so we'll pass on that particular one. ;)

And I'd never realized that about showers possibly being helpful... we just might try that. Still a little early in the season for warm rains around here (we still have 4 feet of snow outside!) but will bear it in mind.

Thanks!!

Great ideas!

2:24 PM, Mar. 20, 2009, posted by barrellfullofmonkeys

This is why I love HSB so much. Only here do I find someone who puts up posts that can help me with my SPD kids. Everyone I run into has no idea what I'm talking about when I say something like "sensory seeker".

Thanks for the great ideas. We love when spring comes and we can work out in the garden. The heavy load idea is one we use every year, but I hadn't thought about the rain showers or planting little seeds for motor control.

Way to go moms!

11:27 PM, Mar. 20, 2009, posted by gfcfmomofmany

So many things such as rages, frustration, crying and other emotional outbursts can be helped by effectively working with your child's sensory issues! Not easy but worth the time and effort. Remember every time you work with your child to control their sensory issues you take one step closer to them controlling themselves without your help!

PS The seeds have already sprouted! Stop at my blog I posted pics.

God bless my friends!
Heather L

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