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. If they eat in the school cafeteria, prepare them ahead of time. If they have to take the school bus to school, explain what this will be like for them to reduce their anxieties.