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Special Words for Special Needs ~ Sensational Summer Senses

2:59 AM, Jun. 27, 2009

Welcome to Special Words for Special Needs! It's summer! Summer brings out the best in our sensory kids! Multiple outdoor activities like swimming, and playing in the sandbox help feed the seekers needs. Our sensory defensive kids aren't left out either. They get lots of chances to try new things, and less clothing is always welcome. All across the board summer is a fun time to work with your sensory kids!

First let us talk about clothing. Transitioning over to summer clothes can be tough. Scheduled rigidness often extends to clothing selection as well. Stay firm and slowly faze out the cooler weather clothes, perhaps leaving out a favorite for night time snuggling.
    -seekers clothing needs
        Sandals with heavy bottoms. So they can feel the weight of walking.
        Try surfer shirts or swimsuits. Let them wear them under their clothing for a constant comforting feedback.
    -defensive clothing needs
        Shoes like beach shoes that cover the whole foot. So there is no grass or other things touching their feet.
        Try for loose and heavy like a basketball player pants. This way the clothing is not rubbing on them, or so loose that it will brush against them with the wind.

Now that they kids are dressed and ready to go out and experience the world. Here are some great ways to incorporate learning and fufilling sensory needs.

Smell is a great sensory tool. Use it to walk around your outdoors and collect different smells.
   -If your child is old enough have them write about the smell. Later read the descriptions without telling where is came from and see if the rest of the family can guess.
   -Take a piece of paper and line out several squares, 4 for younger kids more the older you get. In the middle of each square put double sided tape of some other form of non-odored fixative. Then go outside and collect leaves or flowers that have different aromas to fill in the squares.
   -This next one is adapted from the book, The Out-of-Sync Child has Fun by Carol Kranowitz, M.A.

Take a hula hoop or loop of your hose and mark out an area of your backyard. For the seeker let them lay in the grass getting all that lovely feedback. For defensive child lay out a heavy quilt for them to lay on. Provide tweezers, magnifying glass, jar, notebook, and pencil. Using these items have your child view the world in the loop. Are their insects? Any loose materials can be put in the jar to observe or investigate. Your child could draw in the notebook and findings.

Your seeker will be able to focus on science and observation because their sensory needs are being met with the sun, grass, and wind. Your defensive child will be able to get close to the grass and observe exactly what it is without the constant irritation it causes. They will also be able to push the bounds of their defensiveness as they get comfortable.

Summer is a rich variety of experiences for sensory kids. Swimming lessons are great for both sides of the spectrum. Be sure to tell your swim coach ahead of time. Defensive kids can get very scared and need a gentle easy approach. Seekers can go overboard as they for once get all their sensory needs met and then keep going and get overloaded. I highly recommend it though!

May your summer be wonderful and full of great learning experiences!

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 page at www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling

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