This past weekend Tim and I attended the Re-Fresh Conference, at Overlake Christian Church, surrounded by 1400 other foster and adoptive parents. I had attended this event three years ago and found myself giddy to go again. The rat race of dropping a kid here, some there and organizing respite for Miss Bee was exhausting, but successful. ( Thank you to all who cared, tucked in and fed our babies. It takes a village...) By 7:30pm Thursday evening, we were kid free, bellies full and heading south.
With our church family submerged in this adoption/foster community, we found many familiar faces once checked in and ready for the conference to begin. The worship is LOUD, powerful and something my heart was yearning for. I could worship all day and walk out feeling refreshed, but that's not the only purpose of this weekend. What the organizers have done, is provide six break-out sessions personally selected to cater your own needs in home along with four general session speakers that challenged us, broke us and gave way to a brighter day. The main theme this year was #Me Too, as in a place where most everyone experiences the same struggles on some level gets each other.
Fostering and adopting kids from hard places, and even easy places from birth, can leave you empty, exhausted, confused, frustrated and ready to walk away some days. It's the other side of the spectrum that keeps us fighting, advocating, praying and celebrating.
I could tell you all about the things we learned, all the break through moments we had and ways we were blessed in these jammed packed two days, but my intent is to share what has been working and shown proof of steps towards progress in our little lady who struggles with sensory processing disorder. I left feeling convicted to provide more sensory output in our home and guilty for not doing enough.
{ You know you have a sensory kid when...
you'd rather roll around in the sand and rest then build a sand castle. }
{ You know you have a sensory kid when...
you'd rather roll around in the sand and rest then build a sand castle. }
Our journey in understanding the world of sensory needs began when we met with our friend, Megan Eastwood, who specializes as a Children's Occupational Therapist. We quickly immersed ourselves into this life of providing ways to help teach Myriam how to regulate herself in times of struggle. It was out of these appointments, or "play dates" as Myriam called them, that we filled our shopping carts with sensory toys and turned ideas into process in our daily lives.
Here are a few ways we regulate in our home.
Here are a few ways we regulate in our home.
PLAY DOUGH (Shaving Cream works too!)
Took me 11.5 years to FINALLY purchase the nasty smelling, sensory seeking play dough. If using shaving cream, add a little corn starch to stiffen the "cake mix" up a bit. We often build cakes or simply dig our fingers into the mix and yes, it makes a mess. Nothing that can't be cleaned up. Great opportunity to use your imagination.
RICE BIN
Our bin has colored marbles, animals, and other items to search for in the mix of beans and rice.
SAND BOX
Messy; potentially. Worth it; absolutely.
FOAM BALLS
Sticky yes, but they clean up easily.
NUTS & BOLTS
If you need a fidget item this works great. Keeps the child busy, helps them focus on sizes & gives you at least five minutes of entertainment.
LACING MAT
Great for fine motor skills & hand/eye coordination. This is a fabulous quiet game for at home or in the car.
TRAMPOLINE
Foster license nightmare, but a gift to the parent with busy ones. Meets the deep muscle needs of some sensory kiddos.
SWINGS
We have outside swings and inside swings. IKEA provides a great option that we have in Myriam's room. She will often say she needs some swing time and after a while will come out a different child.
CARS ON WHEELS
Scooters, plasma cars, and bikes with semi-flat tires. Again, this activity provides the deep muscle engagement that meets the sensory need. Kids feel like they're having fun playing outside, but little do they know they are self-regulating.
MASSAGE
Megan has given us a few different techniques to use which help provide the release of cortisol. Hard to capture in a picture, but seriously works wonders at bedtime as we do the embracing squeeze on her arms and legs.
PEANUT SEATS & BOUNCY BALLS
With this seat, we can use as a busy seat when watching movies, reading books or use to roll on our tummies and engage our arm muscles walking in and out.
EGG CHAIR
For some kids they need the security of feeling protected. This chair from IKEA offers a secret space, hide out & isolation space. The chair also spins for those needing spinning therapy. A cardboard box will act as the same for a safe place if needed.
GUM
We have gum in every bag and use it often. I buy the Spry brand from Amazon. Dr. John's makes a chewier lollipop that can't be cracked. These both provide great sensory input and fit in your purse or diaper bag easily.
ESSENTIAL OIL
We have found some improvement when we are consistent with Doterra Oil. Our potion of choice is Serenity (not pictured), Lavender, Aroma Touch & In Tune. I keep Serenity in the car and use the roll-ons under the big toe or behind the ears. Ask me for details if you are interested in trying a few of these oils.
BRUSHING THERAPY
We don't use this often, but when we do Myriam loves the "tickle." We only use this on her arms.
We don't use this often, but when we do Myriam loves the "tickle." We only use this on her arms.
This is new to us and we haven't yet used it, but knowing the benefits, we will be putting this to use soon for our sensory seeker who needs the deep calming pressure. I'm not including the picture of myself trying this on for obvious reasons.
WIDGETS & GADGETS
We have many others, but for older kids at school, these pencils work wonders. We also keep a Tangle close by when needing to sit quiet for awhile.
MISS MONKEY (better known as the child harness)
We have the flight child. Myriam feels much more in control if she can walk hands free, but also have the security of not getting lost. I have no shame using this to pick up kids from school, grocery shopping or any other public outing. Can I get a #MeToo???!!! If not in use, some said children may end up in the Dave's Sporting Good's display windows...(I told you to use it Dad!)
We have a few new toys on order that will be delivered soon...
You can always look for more ideas by clicking HERE to be connected to our Pinterest Sensory Board. I'm sure I forgot a few tools we use, but you get the idea of how we navigate sensory in our home. The more I discover and educate myself in this area of sensory needs, the better I understand our child...and even see traces in our bio kiddos benefitting from these activities.
Is it hard? Yes.
Is it exhausting and embarrassing some days? Yes.
Does it sometimes look like child defiance or disobedience? Absolutely.
As a mommy, do I feel like I'm failing some days? Often.
As a mommy, do I feel like I'm failing some days? Often.
Is it rewarding once you meet the need and see the connection made after regulation has been found? Priceless.
We are a sensory family.
We are a sensory family.
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