SPD Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes for Children with Sensory Sensitivities

Paula — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 13:03:00 +0000

If you have a child with sensory sensitivities then you know how important it is to find them sensory friendly Halloween costumes. Halloween Should Be Scary, Not Scratchy Both of my girls have always had different levels of sensory sensitivities. In fact, it was the sensory reactions that first alerted us to Ainsley’s sensory processing disorder. Over time, that evolved into a couple of other diagnoses. But, the sensory processing was a huge factor for many years. It still is, even long after my daughters have outgrown trick or treating. Over a course of several Halloweens we learned a few tricks and we found many sensory friendly Halloween costumes. When the World is Too Bright or Too Loud Many children with Autism, ADHD, FASD and Anxiety struggle with sensory overload. Basically, the world can be too bright, too loud, too scratchy and simply too much at times for these children. So, that presents a challenge to parents trying to support their child while also exposing them to the usual childhood experiences. School can be harsh when the lights are too bright and the noise is too much to handle. Holidays Can Be Challenging Family vacations and holidays can be hard to negotiate and can even end in a teary mess. Screaming, withdrawal and fight or flight all come into play when kids are unable to regulate emotions and communicate during a sensory meltdown. So, how does that impact Halloween, for instance? Well, starting with sensory friendly Halloween costumes can help a lot. Halloween and Sensory Sensitivities October 31st is a special day that children look forward to all year. However, if you’re the parent of a child with sensory sensitivities, the idea may conjure feelings of dread. Will the costume be too scratchy? Will it make him or her sweat? You worry if your child doesn’t wear a costume, he may feel excluded or scrutinized by other parents when they show up at the door. And you worry the night might be too much ending in a meltdown after all the sensory input. Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes Good news. There are easy DIY costumes that can work and tips for sensory friendly Halloween costumes. With a few tweaks and an adjustment of expectations it’s easy enough to make Halloween successful and memorable. Tips for Halloween Success When SPD is on Board Start with a basic sketch of an idea and the material. The material is vital. When my daughter was small we learned that cotton was the only way to go. This applies to Halloween costumes too. Start with a cotton base and build on it. The layer closest to the skin needs to be soft and not scratchy. Adjust your expectations. If your child can only do 10 houses before they show complete exhaustion, then let that be the end of their night. Why not use what you already have handy? If you have a red cotton shirt and black pants that your child already wears often and it’s the right feel/ material, then you can easily build on that. Consider pyjamas as the base. Whatever works. Costume Bases Most costume bases can easily be created with a sweatsuit, or t-shirt, and leggings. Once you choose your base outfit, just a few accessories help create the perfect, sensory-friendly costume. Exact reproduction is not what’s most important; it’s how the costume makes your child feel. Black and White Bases Angel: Pair a white base with a white nightgown and a simple lace headband. Angels make easy sensory friendly Halloween costumes. Nurse/Doctor: Use a white base with an oversized, button-down white shirt, kept open for a doctor, buttoned up for the nurse. Accessorize either of these sensory friendly Halloween costumes with a toy stethoscope. Simple and effective costume for someone with sensory processing disorder. Witch: Pair a black base with a skirt and hat. For a more authentic look, add a straw broom, that is, if you don’t mind carrying it. Skeleton: All you need is a little glow-in-the-dark fabric paint on a black base. Paint some spooky bones on the arms and legs. Add ribs in the stomach area. One year my older daughter did this costume super easily and with a whole lot of creativity. Perfect sensory friendly Halloween costume. Darth Vader: Start with a black base, by using a man’s black t-shirt. If you have sewing skills, create a cape with ties and sew it on. Hot glue it to the back of the shirt if you can’t sew or don’t have time. If your child tolerates a hat, a black cap with some painted black playing cards glued around the bottom so they flare out like Darth Vader’s helmet is an authentic touch. Bat: Measure from wrist to wrist for wingspan. Cut black fabric to that length and scallop bottom edge. Attach the top edge to each arm of a black shirt. Pair with black pants. So simple. This is one of my favourites because it is so easy. Minnie/Mickey Mouse: Pair a white t-shirt with a red skirt, black leggings, and a red bow for Minnie, or red pants for Mickey. Add soft mouse ears and a tail, if your child can tolerate it, for full effect. True story. We had a red Minnie Mouse dress from Disney one year and after a trip we repurposed it and used her Mickey Mouse ears. CUTE. Black Cat: Attach ears to a headband or hoodie, tail, and whiskers. If your child wants to be an orange cat, feel free to take the leap. Cats make simple and sensory friendly Halloween costumes. Homemade Halloween Costumes – Colourful Options for Bases Devil: With a red base, you can easily create a devilish costume. Add red horns and forked tail made from felt. You can easily use a favourite pair of your child’s black pants to go with this one. Jack-O-Lantern: An orange base can create a super cute jack-o-lantern. Cut out and attach face shapes from felt. For a fancier costume, you might try Halloween-patterned leggings and an orange tutu. If your child doesn’t mind, add an orange cap embellished with a green felt stem and leaves. Pikachu: A yellow base makes it easy to create this cutie. Cut two feather shapes from yellow card stock and color the tips brown. Hot-glue to a hoodie or headband. Create a lightning bolt tail if your child is okay with that. For a more feminine Pikachu, add a tutu. Finish the look with pink cheeks. Frankenstein: Use green turtle-neck and a comfortable jacket and pants, then fringe the sleeves and pants so they look ragged. A simple long-sleeve shirt with patches will work too. Paint two small thread spools gray and glue to sides of the shirt neck for bolts. Finish with green face makeup if your child allows. Robot: Pair a gray base with a hat made from a gray-painted box with knobs to make a cute robot. If you’re feeling creative, decorate the shirt to increase the robot effect. Lion: Create an adorable lion from a brown base. Add a mane by cutting a 4-inch wide strip of felt long enough to go around the hoodie. Fringe edges and attach. If you are feeling extra creative, roll the fringe to look like curls and secure. Cookie: Using a tan base, add brown felt triangles to the front of the shirt. Luke Skywalker: With a tan base, add a white robe, brown sash, and tall brown socks or boots for this look. Have a light sabre around? Then add this to the costume. Any Color Base Clown: Affix multi-coloured polka dots randomly. Pair with colourful shoes and a fun hairstyle if your child will oblige. Please note though – if they are scared of clowns and younger in age, then this one is not right for your child. Crayon: Write the colour name vertically down the shirt. Create a simple cone hat with 12” x 18” coloured paper. Lego: Find a pool noodle that matches your base and cut rounds of about 2 inches. Glue to the front of the shirt in pairs. Now that you have the idea, see how many sensory-friendly costumes you can design with just a simple base and a few key accessories. Happy Creating!!

The post Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes for Children with Sensory Sensitivities appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Top 13 Sensory Toys for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder

Paula — Tue, 14 Jan 2020 15:46:00 +0000

This sensory toys post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. Purchases made via qualifying links mean a small commission for me. What do you give to kids who are anxious about a lot of things, whose brains seem to amplify sensations and noises? Good sensory toys can help them function and manage sensory input. My daughter has sensory processing disorder. I have written about that here a few times. Years ago I wrote about our journey to get a sensory processing disorder diagnosis for Today’s Parent magazine. These recommendations are based on what we have found that works. Sensory processing disorder is a condition that interferes with how the brain conveys sensory messages, leading to unexpected reactions and motor responses in a person. In other words, exposure to certain conditions we deem as normal might trigger involuntary reactions in those who have sensory challenges. They will start feeling overwhelmed by certain conditions or environment and this can lead to even physical injuries if not monitored. When you are looking to get a gift for a child with SPD, you should get them something that will help them cope with their environment in a better manner. Great Sensory Toys for Kids 1. Noise Blocking Headphones or Noise Cancelling Headphones Some kids get anxious in a noisy environment. Many kids diagnosed with sensory processing disorder cannot handle noise. It is distracting and alarming and causes genuine distress. My daughter uses these often. In fact, both of my kids do. Only one has the sensory processing disorder diagnosis. But, that said, they both have some sensory issues and they both need tools to help them focus and block noise out. At school, in the elementary grades, these noise cancelling headphones were readily available in the learning resource room. 2. Sensory Hairbrush or Tangle Free Hairbrush This is a simple gift that applies soft pressure on the scalp, running through the hair. The pressure produces a relaxing and calming effect for the kids. The soft, plastic bristles ensure that no harm would befall them. 3. Kinetic Sand Kinetic sand allows the child to explore playing in the sand without creating the mess normal sand would create. The sand is cool to touch and will stick back to itself after use, allowing easy cleaning. It is a relaxing activity to enjoy. We have this particular brand here and I love it. Even I will play with this sand because it is a great sensory tool. 4. Tactile balls These are soft, rubbery balls that are enjoyable to squeeze, rub or hold in your hands. They are also good as stress-relieving toys because of their soft, squishy nature. The kids can do whatever they want with these balls as they are indestructible. Use them to run them up and down the kid’s arms and back if they can handle that type of feedback. The massage kind of function used to work brilliantly for my daughter. 5. Crashpad Any kind of safe crash pad can be extremely useful. This could be a sort of air mattress where the kids can bounce and play. It can be karate crash pads that they kick and slam into. Place on the floor, or hang on the walls. Or you might even just buy a BOB, martial arts tool they can hit and kick and smash into. It can make a good replacement for an indoor trampoline. It is softer and with a better feel than an air mattress. 6. Indoor tent This is designed for kids who get anxious often. They can be able to run into their own space when they start feeling overwhelmed. This is a small indoor tent that can fit anywhere inside the house. The actual one that we had in several places is this one – > The school had one too in her class. Also, this is a beautiful indoor tent option. 7. Silly putty This is the kind of putty that can withstand all sorts of abuse. It is great for improving the creativity levels of your child. Mold, knead, stretch it, or do whatever they want with it and still get it together at the end of the day. 8. Legos and Building Blocks Legos are a great gift for kids with SPD and those without this condition. These Melissa and Doug building blocks are great sensory toys for kids of all ages. They are amazing at encouraging all sorts of creative processes in your child. 9. Step-a-log beams or Balance Beams This gift is designed for kids who suffer from anxiety. These beams are good at enhancing balance and building their coordination when walking. Balance Beams are an amazing fun tool for kids. 10. Flex bands There is something stress-relieving about stretch bands and these are aimed for both sensory management and enhancing motor skills. The flex bands can stand any kind of pressure the kids subject them to. They are a good, therapeutic gift for kids with SPD. 11. Puzzles For my daughter, when she was small, we needed tricks to distract her in order to calm her down. So, we’d use puzzles as sensory toys. That seemed to calm her down and give her the chance to regroup. In every single All About Me booklet that we gave to camp counsellors and others, we told them puzzles were a means to soothe her. As a result we had some remarkable puzzles for all ages and abilities. 12. Swing For years, we had a swing suspended from a beam in Ainsley’s room. It was like a cocoon for her when she needed to calm down. It worked very well. Our indoor swing was similar to this one here. There are other swings for kids with SPD options too that are just as cute. 13. Weighted Blankets While not a toy exactly, these are so very useful for kids with SPD. Use these to relax or to sleep. Just pay attention to the rules surrounding weight limits and size. Most good weighted blanket companies will tell you size and weight.

The post Top 13 Sensory Toys for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Comfort Objects for Tiny Special Needs Travellers

Paula — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:08:16 +0000

Comfort objects are important to many kids. When you travel with a child who has a disability or is neurospicy, comfort objects can make all the difference to the transition process. We began travelling intentionally as a family when my youngest was about five. Why did it take us that long? Well, we were afraid to travel because my younger child has sensory processing disorder and FASD. We thought it would be challenging, and it totally is. BUT, it is also abundantly worth it, and then some. Watching my daughter make friends with children from all over the world, getting her hair braided in Haiti, racing down waterslides with her at Atlantis and hearing her talk about her adventures with pride, is respite from the daily chaos. So what helped and what changed? We figured out some strategies and comfort objects that helped her when we travelled. The Process of Planning There was a process we went through to get to our special needs travel comfort zone. We built up to the bigger adventures by taking road trips. We had social stories in advance of the trip and rehearsed what would happen. One of the things that helped us most was remembering many strategic comfort objects. The comfort objects we packed, or carried made all the difference. Why We Worked Up to Travelling So I thought I’d share a few of the items that always helped with the transitions and the loudness of public spaces, and the tight, uncomfortable, noisy airplanes. And even the nights sleeping in a strange new hotel or resort, or cruise ship. Travel can, and should be, accessible to all. But it often requires more planning when one or more people in your family has a disability. My youngest has sensory processing disorder and FASD, which I have written about here from time to time. We spent years trying to figure out diagnoses and then years plugging in supports. Trust me when I say, if there’s a segment of the population that needs holidays more than special needs parents, well I have yet to meet them. My Picks for Comfort Objects for Tiny Special Needs Travellers Headphones These can be noise cancelling or otherwise. A really good, sturdy, kid safe set of headphones – preferably a set that collapses and folds up. Use where appropriate. On the van in the way to the airport. Headphones. Right after the flight attendant gives you the okay to put them back on. Headphones. Use a set with a cord because you will be able to use them for in flight movies or TV shows. Helps distract them too when necessary. Blankets The best ones we ever found were very simple Gymboree cotton swaddle blankets like these: Gymboree Fun Li’l Blanket Chewy Necklaces Check out these chewy necklaces – so super cute. Wish we’d had these when our kids were small. The ones we used were not quite as charming but still worked. This brand is good quality. (Clicking on any of the images or links will take you to Amazon and you can get them straight away.) A Friend – Ours is called Wendy, a Build-A-Bear Husband and I joked recently that Wendy has been to more countries and airports than most adults. The wonderful thing about our bear is that she has never been lost. She was always cuddled on landing and takeoff and also smelled of home. That mattered. Oh, and the thing about Build-A-Bear is that they are all registered with Find-A-Bear so you if one did get lost it could be reunited with your child fairly easily. Your friend could be any stuffed animal that is soft and loved. Comfort Objects for Tiny Travellers – Quiet fidgets We have a few quiet fidgets now even for the teens. Here are a few I like. These tangles are awesome!! They are actually my favourite and I fidget with them often during the work day. Chewy Tubes When my youngest was little they needed to chew on things a lot. That’s common with sensory processing disorder. Here’s what we used and still have actually. They last forever. These P s and Qs are good for oral sensory feedback. Tiny special needs travellers will be less likely to chew holes in clothing, or blankets. And less inclined to gnaw on you too. These are excellent for day care or school too. Click on the image to find out where to buy. Finding Magic in the Moments Someone reminded me today that even though this is all so old to me, there are new parents every day trying to get away who have no idea about comfort objects for tiny special needs travellers. So, I hope this helps you to find the courage to explore with your child. Special needs travel is dramatically changing for the better. No need to stay home if you don’t want to. I hope you find magic in the small moments of calm, with a little bit of unexpected excitement along the way. So many enjoyable memories are waiting for all of you to claim. This post Comfort Objects For tiny Special Needs Travellers contains affiliate links as a service to readers. If you make a purchase I receive a small amount of compensation at no extra cost to you.

The post Comfort Objects for Tiny Special Needs Travellers appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

Teethease Necklaces and Teething Jewelry – Interview with the Inventor

Paula — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:59:00 +0000

My daughter Ainsley chewing on her newest tool for Sensory Processing Disorder, the Teethease Necklaces. Sensory Processing and Special Needs We are way too old for teethers in our house. Our youngest child is seven, but when the option to review this fabulous product line called Teethease Necklaces came to my attention, I was thrilled, because I like having options and I adore having BPA and lead-free items. For people who don’t understand, a lot of children with sensory processing disorder, or autism, need oral input. They chew a lot on sleeves, fingers, jewelry, even toys. It is an organizing activity according to the many books I have read on special needs. So, many parents with kids who have special needs, buy chewy jewelry or special needs teethers. We have used chewelry and Dr. Bloom’s here and now we have Teethease. Rockease is $34.95 I am so in love with the turquoise one. These Rockease Teethease necklaces look like real necklaces and are totally safe for babies or kids to chew on. They have an EN -71 rating, the highest international safety standard and they are made of medical grade silicone. This is the highest rating possible. The Teethease necklaces come in sandstone, turquoise and grey marble. At $34.95 they are a bit pricier than some of our other chewy jewelry. We received the sandstone. I would pay the price for the turquoise jewels because they look so cute and fashionable. I like the sandstone too, but turquoise just looks like something I would wear. Teethease also has these Original Teethease Bangles at only $9.95. I like these and the price is right. One is $9.95 and there is a wood look bangle too. Continuous loop is easy for chubby little fingers to grab onto. Original Teethease Pendant necklace $34.95. And, maybe the cutest part of all – the packaging. It looks like a little paint can and my kids loved it. I would absolutely buy the pendant necklaces because they don’t look like teethers. The Interview with Mompreneur Lindsey Sardi- Dubuc THRIFTY MOMMAS TIPS: 1. How did you get the idea for Teethease necklaces? Lindsey: Teethease was created when I set out to find a product that would allow me to know the teethers I was using were safe, and to be able to wear my jewellery again. It seemed like every time I was out with my daughter (especially at the grocery store) she would grab anything in reach to chew on. I did have some plastic teethers I had received as gifts, but this was around the time that BPA (Bisphenol A) and its negative effects were made known to the public. Avoiding BPA As I think most moms were, I became increasingly weary of what contaminants might be in the products I might own. Avoiding these plastic toys, I realized my daughter was instead grabbing at my keys, my phone and especially my necklaces! Inevitably you end up carrying your child all the time and those necklaces are just too tempting for them.; they always seem to hang at just the right length to chew on. So began the search for a material that was sturdy and flexible, easy to keep clean, didn’t stay wet from drool, was easily accessible, and most importantly, safe. THRIFTY MOMMAS TIPS: 2. How has teethease been received? Lindsey: We are so grateful to have received such positive feedback about Teethease. Every so often, I receive a note from a mom that leaves me feeling like all the hard work and long nights have been worthwhile. Messages will range from a general thank you for a safe product, to stories of when one of our products saved them from a shopping meltdown or how they love being able to accessorize without worrying about their baby’s safety. It warms my heart when someone takes the time out of their day to let me know that they like what we’ve created. What Do Moms Think? Recently we have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic mom bloggers. Their reviews have been very kind and the support we receive from their readers is unbelievable. Sometimes when I’m surfing, whether on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook or Google, I’ll see someone posting comments about Teethease. It won’t be in response to a contest or review, but just because they saw a product that they thought was worth sharing. It keeps a smile on my face for the rest of the day. THRIFTY MOMMAS TIPS: 3. Any plans for future products or lines? Lindsey’s Response: I have so many ideas for future products. I’m looking into a line made from wood and other renewable sources and I am really hoping to be able to find some great Canadian Maplewood. It’s a beautiful colour and I’m always happy to support our economy. In fact, I also have a few new styles that are in testing, but I can’t give too much away and ruin the surprise! We’ll also be adding new colours to the existing lines this year. THRIFTY MOMMAS TIPS 4. How has being a parent impacted your business? Lindsey’s Response In many ways I think that being a parent and owning your own business are very similar, both require a tremendous amount of nurture and patience. My guess is without having children I probably would never have started Teethease, but the truth is that sometimes being a stay-at-home mom and running all aspects of the business alone can be rather trying. As a mother, I have acquired skills that have served me well in business and vice versa. I’ve become a self-proclaimed “marvel of multi-tasking,” which means I have breastfed while making business calls, worked on newsletters during nap time and prep dinner while I go over monthly statements. At the End of the Day At the end of the day, my children will always come first. A little while back, my eldest let me know she didn’t like seeing me on my BlackBerry while we played in the rec room. From that moment on we worked out a deal; you give Mommy 20 minutes to finish what needs doing, and then for the next one to two hours you will have my undivided attention, which means phones and computers do not enter the play area. If it’s a busy day, sometimes we do this two or three times in a row. For those who deal with me on a regular basis, they know that often my emails show up in their inbox after midnight because it’s so much easier writing without little hands trying to type simultaneously. Being a Mom and Entrepreneur The biggest impact that being a parent has had on the business is my drive. I make sure that my kids understand that what I am doing is ultimately for them, that my emails and phone calls are how I help contribute to our household. Also, I now allow my eldest to help in any way she can. She helps with colour choices, packaging and design ideas and testing. She loves to tell people she “went to work” with Mommy, and I love getting to show her what we can accomplish with a little hard work. THRIFTY MOMMAS TIPS: 5. Was there ever a plan or discussion given to marketing teeth ease also to children with special needs? Lindsey: We have had a number of inquiries about using the Teethease products for children with special needs. Of course, we have a number of clients whose children are autistic, and compulsively chew. The bangle is a great alternative to chewing on their sleeves, pencils or other potentially harmful objects. We ask the parents to use their best judgement when deciding if the Teethease products are suitable for children over three years of age. There are currently no set of standardized tests that allow us to ensure the products are safe for special needs children across the board. Unfortunately, there are so many variables (age, strength, motor skills, etc.) that make any sort of “standard” almost impossible. Final Thoughts After years working in a children’s rehab hospital, I do have some ideas for future lines that might work well for any age. My Recommendation and Rating Thank you to Lindsey for the interview and for creating a fabulous product I recommend fully. $$$$ out of $$$$$. You can’t put a price on safety. Love how soft the Teethease necklaces and jewelry feel and the clasp – breakaway is well done and nicely crafted. Also the packaging is adorable.

The post Teethease Necklaces and Teething Jewelry – Interview with the Inventor appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.