How to Calm a Child with Sensory Integration Disorder

The little girl you see in the picture is Savanna. Savanna is my four year old daughter, and she was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) in October of 2006. Since then, I have spent countless hours researching and learning from multiple doctors and other specialists on how to help Savanna get beyond the battle and live like a typical little girl. As any parent and/or caretaker of a child with SID knows, the most difficult times are the breakdowns following a sensory overload or even a minor sensory discomfort. More often than not, the child will immediately tantrum and/or withdrawal. Please read on to learn how you can help the child with SID relax and recover from a sensory-related tantrum and/or withdrawal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience
• Love
• Hope
• More Patience

1. The very first thing you MUST do is put yourself in the place of the child. Imagine your mind and your body being so overwhelmed by your surroundings that you lose control over yourself. Imagine not being able to think straight, not being able to focus on what bothers you more or less - let alone how to make it better. Imagine frustration at the highest level. Now imagine you have no way to know this is happening in order to prevent it. Imagine you have no tools to help yourself. And imagine that in the moments that feel the most desperate, you're so overcome by your senses that you cannot form the words to ask for help. Putting yourself in the shoes of a child going through this is absolutely necessary. It will help you help the child. It will give you more motivation and patience. Most importantly, it will help give you the strength and tools your child needs you to have.
2. Remain calm. I can't say how important this is. You must maintain a firm, but normal voice at every second of your SID child's tantrum. Raising your voice and showing anger or disappointment whether vocally or physically will only add to the child's sensory overload and make things worse for all. You must remain calm. If you feel overwhelmed and not prepared to handle your child calmly, WALK AWAY. Walk away, take deep breaths and then return calm.
3. Make eye contact with the child as soon as possible. This is imperative because a child with Sensory Integration Disorder can become so overwhelmed that their body and mind cannot meet up to recover. Eye contact will help make that happen. It is the quickest way to make that happen. In order to gain eye contact, get your body down to the child's level no matter where they are. Once you have reached their level, you must firmly say the child's name and demand eye contact. For example, Savanna' s tantrums are generally very physical and vocal. She drops to the ground, screams, cries, and throws her legs around. The very second I see this beginning, I get down to the ground with her. I look at her firmly and say, "Savanna, look at Mommy' s eyes now, please." If she does not respond initially, I will hold her hand or touch her gently to help pull her senses to me and repeat, "Savanna, look at Mommy' s eyes now, please." Once eye contact happens, you can move on to the next steps.
4. Ask the child to take a deep breath. Though it may seem like a simple tool, you will be amazed to see how much it can help. Look your child in the eyes and say with a normal but firm tone, "Take a deep breath now, please." Then take a deep breath yourself while making eye contact with the child to help guide them to their own deep breath. You may also find that touching your child's hand or arm gently helps them connect with you during this step. Repeat again, "Take a deep breath, please." Then take a deep breath with the child. Repeat this until the child is showing signs of relaxation.
5. Embrace the child with a firm hug. Deep tissue stimulation will calm your child. While there are many ways to stimulate the deep tissue of the child, a firm, loving hug will do the trick. In many cases, you will see the child show immediate signs of relief and even joy following the above three steps.
6. Divert the child's attention. Once the child is more relaxed, speak to him/her in a calm and loving voice. Invite the child to join you for a calm activity. Often, I invite Savanna to join me on the couch to cuddle. I continue holding her gently, but firmly on my lap to extend the deep tissue stimulation and remind her that she is loved. Other ideas for diversion would be playdoh, coloring, taking a walk outside, taking a bath, going to swing, etc.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that your best tool is prevention. Create a calm, safe and sensory supportive environment to help keep SID tantrums to a minimum.
• Remain calm and loving through every tantrum.
• Communicate gently with your child at all times during a tantrum. Despite any language delays, your child will benefit from the sound of your voice and the meaning of your words.
• Make sure that your child is in a safe place when a tantrum begins. If he is not, quickly and gently move him to a safer location.