Supporting a Child with SPD: 50 Tried and Tested Strategies

If you are supporting a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD), everyday environments can easily become overwhelming. With SPD, the brain has trouble receiving and responding appropriately to information from the senses. A child may become overstimulated by loud noises, crowds, bright lights, certain textures, or other sensory input that most people naturally filter out. This can lead to emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and meltdowns. When a child with SPD becomes overwhelmed, it is important to have strategies ready to help calm the nervous system. SPD in children always presents differently. Having a range of strategies to try is essential.

50 calming Strategies to Support a Child with SPD

Here is a list of 50 strategies used by parents and carers to provide effective support for a child with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) when they are feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. Each one has been suggested by someone supporting children with a diagnosis in their family so no references or evidence base just simple ideas that have worked for others:

1. Provide a quiet space with minimal stimuli
2. Offer weighted blanket or lap pad
3. Play calming music
4. Offer chewing gum or crunchy snacks
5. Go for a walk or jumping jacks
6. Use a sound machine or noise-blocking headphones
7. Offer fidget toys for hands or a Sensory First Aid Kit
8. Dim the lights
9. Speak slowly and softly
10. Provide a break and allow them space
11. Offer resistance bands
12. Use essential oils or calming scents
13. Offer an ice pack or something cold to eat
14. Provide swinging or rocking opportunities
15. Facilitate calming Lego activities
16. Offer therapeutic putty to squeeze
17. Provide a cozy tent or hiding space
18. Provide access to outdoor spaces
19. Offer joint compressions or compression tunnel.
20. Provide visualisation activities
21. Offer sensory bins with tactile resources
22. Provide a vibrating toy
23. Facilitate calm art activities
24. Offer gentle touch or massage
25. Validate feelings and be patient
26. Remind them they are safe
27. Provide deep pressure hugs
28. Gently rub or scratch their back
29. Provide jumping opportunities
30. Offer sensory play with slime or beads
31. Sit nearby quietly as they work through it
32. Offer a drink of water with a straw
33. Provide a bean bag or crash pad
34. Offer a backpack or heavy bag
35. Provide a weighted shoulder wrap
36. Play or sing lullabies or nature sounds
37. Encourage deep breaths
38. Squeeze a tennis ball or hand strengthener
39. Guide meditation or sound baths
40. Use picture schedules to reduce cognitive load
41. Provide white or yellow noise
42. Encourage bouncing or jumping
43. Provide co-regulation
44. Avoid eye contact
45. Provide a warm shower or bath
46. Offer alternative focuses like jenga
47. Hug tightly then release when ready
48. Offer warming sensory input like a wheaty bag
49. Sit nearby with arms open
50. Keep verbal cues minimal

Summary

Supporting a child with sensory processing disorder requires compassion, patience, and consistency. By having a plan in place and utilising specialised sensory strategies, parents and caregivers can help children manage overwhelm and foster self-regulation skills. The key is tailoring the approach to the individual child’s needs.