Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support
Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support 

Sensory Processing Disorder Tools & Tips For Back To School  

Children with sensory differences ... painting the world beautiful.  

Sensory Processing Disorder Tools & Tips For Back To School  

Jeanette Loftus 

child with sensory processing disorder sitting in his classroom at his school desk sensory processing disorder tools and toys for back to school
It's that time again when children go back to school for another year or they are just beginning their journey and starting school for the first time.

I have created a list of helpful sensory tools for children who have Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to make things a little easier for them.

Children with additional needs can often struggle at school. School can be a very overwhelming scary place for them. Each child is different with different sensory needs and each child will require sensory different tools.

It can be overwhelming for our kids when they go back to school. It is important to keep things as close to the same for them as last year. They're adjusting to a lot of new changes and routine since being away from school for the summer or just starting school for the first time.

Include as many familiar items as possible to start their school year: Using the same backpack, wearing the same shoes as last year, using last year's lunchbox or pencil case. They are already adjusting to a lot of new changes with new classmates, a new teacher and a new environment.

If your mornings were rough in previous years because of early morning socks or underwear struggles, then maybe trying some sensory friendly socks or underwear this year to make mornings easier on them (for you too).

Remove tags from their clothing and purchase comfortable sensory friendly clothing for them. Clothing sensitivities can be quite distressing for children who have Sensory Processing Disorder. Let them be a part of the process by choosing the colors, choosing the styles that they will enjoy and trying them on to see how they feel.

Fill your child's sensory diet each morning before they go to school and include sensory breaks in their IEP (Individual Education Plan). Good luck! You got this! Your child will do great!

Some children will need fidgets for focus while others will need weighted products for calming. Allow your child to be part of the process when choosing the color or tool they would like from the few choices you give them that will work best for their sensory diet.

School can be challenging for our children. Providing them with sensory tools and sensory breaks for their sensory diet will assist them to feel calmer and more confident about school.

Children who have Sensory Processing Disorder should have sensory breaks throughout the day to keep them regulated. They need a sensory diet regularly, even when they are not displaying the need for it. We should not wait until they are already dysregulated to accommodate their sensory needs.

The change in a child's routine may be very challenging and a visual schedule can assist your child to prepare them for what is next in their day. This will ease anxieties about returning to school. Slowly ease back into routine changes. Begin making slow changes leading up to the first day of school. Getting up earlier, scheduling mealtimes, going to bed earlier and a morning routine.

Abruptly changing schedules can be extremely difficult for kids who have Sensory Processing Disorder, so it is best to start with 10-15 min changes at a time so they're not feeling too overwhelmed by big changes to their routine the day before school starts.

Some children will have anxieties about starting school or going back to school. Sometimes it can be very helpful to read a few books to your child about going to school to ease their anxieties (I have some books posted below).
 
Prepare a calm down kit for your child for when they are at school. Most schools require you to include this accommodation in your child's 504 plan or IEP (Individual Education Plan). These items would be calming sensory tools to help them stay focused, calm and regulated.

If your child is required to pack a lunch for school, include their favorites and foods that they will eat. Keep it as familiar as possible for them.

Sensory Processing Disorder Sensory Tools For Back To School

Sense-sational YOU Sound Reducing Sensory Hoodie
Sense-ational You

Sound Reducing Sensory Hoodie

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Pack of 4 Pen or Pencil Weights Handwriting Aid for Children
Amazon 

Handwriting Aid For Children Pencil Weights 

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Munchables Dog Tags Chewelry Pendant Necklace
Munchables Chewelry 

Dog Tags Chewelry Pendant Necklace 

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Parker & Talia Sensory Friendly The Everday Tee *Customizable*
Parker & Talia 

 Sensory Friendly The Everday Tee 

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JettProof Sensory Undervest Boys JettProof undervests can be worn as clothing or undergarments
JettProof

JettProof Sensory Undervest Boys 

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Fun & Function - Chair Ball - Yoga Ball Chair for Kids - Flexible Seating for Classroom, Elementary & Middle School - Wiggle Chair
Amazon

Fun & Function Yoga Kids Chair Ball  Seating

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Fun and Function – Weighted Vest for Kids –Sensory Vest Provides Soothing Weight for Kids with Sensory Issues – Pink
Amazon 

Fun and Function Kids Sensory Weighted Vest 

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nolan briefs parakeet sensory friendly underwear sensory processing disorder parent support lucky and me clothing
Lucky & Me 

Nolan Boys Organic Cotton Briefs 

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Lucky & Me Logan Boys Classic Tees (3-Pack) This boys t-shirt
Lucky & Me 

Logan Boys Classic Sensory Friendly Tees 

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SOUNDSORY® headphones, a multi-sensory home based program
SOUNDSORY® 

Headphones Multi-Sensory Home Program

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This is Gabriel: Making Sense of School - 2nd Edition: A Book about Sensory Processing Disorder
Amazon 

This is Gabriel: Making Sense of School 

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FORBRAIN® is a revolutionary brain training headset empowering people with speech, language, and attention challenges.
FORBRAIN® 

Headset for speech, language, and attention

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Fluorescent Light Filters sensory classroom light covers
Amazon 

Fluorescent Sensory Classroom Light Cover 

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CalmCare Bodysuit - Sleeveless Girls
CalmCare 

Calming Sensory Compression Bodysuit Girls

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Leopard Squishable Scrunchie Smush Co.
Smush Co. 

Leopard Squishable Scrunchie Fidget 

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Fun and Function's Blue Weighted Vest for Children Medium - Helps Kids with Sensory Issues, Autism, ADHD, Mood, Sensory Over Responding, and Travel Issues - Removable Weights Included
Amazon 

Fun and Function's Blue Weighted Vest 

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Mazi + Mom Fuschia Fun A favorite with our customers. This dress is full of spunk and fun!
Mazi & Mom 

Fuschia Fun Sensory Friendly Dresses 

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SmartKnitKIDS Sensory-Friendly Sensitivity Seamless Socks - 3 Pack
SmartKnitKIDS 

Sensory-Friendly Seamless Socks 

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Comfort On The Spectrum  Our Leggings will wrap your legs in sensory softness!
Comfort On The Spectrum 

Our Leggings wrap your legs in softness! 

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sophie shortie flamingo sensory friendly underwear sensory processing disorder parent support lucky and me clothing
Lucky & Me 
Sophie Girls Shorties 3 Pack 
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Calming Vibration Self Regulation Tool
Sensory Calming Wands

Calming Vibration Self Regulation Tool 

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The Special Needs SCHOOL Survival Guide: Handbook for Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, Learning Disabilities & More!
Amazon

The Special Needs SCHOOL Survival Guide

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Abby the Alligator Needs Hand Squeezes is designed to help give you an immediate strategy and tips to help make a difference.
Sensory Books By Lizzy 

Abby the Alligator Needs Hand Squeezes 

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The Munchables Dino Skull Pendant pendant has an inset skull design.
Munchables Chewelry 

Dino Skull Pendant Chew Necklace 

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Special Supplies Liquid Motion Bubbler Toy Cool Pens 6-Pack Colorful Hourglass Timer with Droplet Movement, Bedroom, Sensory Play, Cool Home or School
Therapy Shoppe 

Handwriting Tools Sampler Kit #2 

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Rainbow Explosion Flat Socks Kids No Slip. For Kids Who don't like socks.
Flat Socks 

For Kids Who don't like socks

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Special Supplies 50 Squishy Pencil Grips for Kids and Adults - Colorful, Cushioned Holders for Handwriting, Drawing, Coloring - Ergonomic Right or Left-Handed Use - Reusable
Amazon

Squishy Sensory Pencil Handwriting Grips 

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Stretchy Resistance Fidget Bands Toy for Kids 3 Pack Bounce, Kick & Stretch Your Feet
Amazon

Stretchy Resistance Fidget Band Feet Fidget

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Kozie Clothes Kozie Cushy Sensory Weighted Lap Pad Our Cushy, Kozie Weighted Lap Pad is a great Sensory Strategy designed to help with self-regulation, calm, and focus.
Kozie Clothes

Kozie Cushy Sensory Weighted Lap Pad 

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silicone beaded chew pen back to school gummy chic chewelry
Gummy Chic 

Back To School Beaded Sensory Chew Pen

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Wikki Stix Fidgit Stix A fun, simple and colorful presentation just for those who need some hands-on fidget “therapy
Wikki Stix 

Wikki Stix Fidgit Stix fidget “therapy"

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Clary Sage + Cypress Essential Oil FOCUS Rollerball Blend Apply FOCUS Rollerball Blend
Wellnessed Boutique 

Essential Oil FOCUS FOCUS Rollerball Blend

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Bleuet BLEUMERS & BRA SETS Two really IS better than one!  Just like hot cocoa & marshmallows, our Bleumers and Bleum Bras are better together.
Bleuet 

Sensory Friendly Bleumers & Bra Sets 

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Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support 

Sensory Processing Disorder Resources  

Supporting, learning, sharing and growing together.
Sensory Processing Disorder in the School Cafeteria
Transitions and Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder Regulation & Dysregulation
Sensory Processing Disorder & Riding the School Bus
DISCLAIMER: I have learned a lot over the years but I am still learning. Always do your own research and exercise sound judgment. I am not an occupational therapist or a physician. I am an adult who has sensory processing disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists or medical professionals give you. These are just ideas that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for awareness and support purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different sensory needs. Please always consult with a professional. 
Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links on my website.  Each of your purchases through links on my website for Amazon affiliation links or sponsored links support me but no additional cost to you so thank you. I appreciate it so much!  I am not responsible should you buy anything from any links on this website.