Prenatal.gif (10684 bytes)Helping youth and families with prenatal alcohol or drug exposure make connections to encourage maximum life experiences and opportunities.

and now these three things remain . . . faith, hope and love
and the greatest of these is love.  1Co13:13

Step 10. Re“create” cont.

Sensory and Reflexive Skills
to help an Alphabet Soup Child
add...fasd...odd...ebd...adhd...pea...si...fas...fae...capd

By Jodee Kulp     www.betterendings.org

Does your child fall apart in the same area of the store each time? There may be a reason? For some it may be the lighting and colorful packaging in the grocery store, the hum of the lights, the intercom, movement of shopping carts, perfume or smoke smell on a person in line, or all of those combined.

  • Play detective. Your child may be under sensory assault (in pain, fearful or confused) and will react to protect his/herself. 

  • Find the facts. Use your own senses to interpret life through your child’s compromised senses, interpretations and reaction to life experiences. Take this week to ask your child “what bugs you?” Toni at www.kidscanlearn.net has some articles to help you understand sensing issues our children face. 

Here are some clues to help you discover what triggers can "set them up and blow them away" .

Areas included in Reflex and Sense Challenges 

  • Ears (Auditory processing).

  • Eyes (Vision processing).

  • Touch (Tactile processing - through the skin).

  • Balance (Vestibular processing). 

  • Body Position (Proprioception).

  • Stuck or Shut Down issues. (Form of protection from sensory or emotional overload)

  • Repetitive Behavior (Perseverative)

  • Muscle Responses to stimulation  

 Signs of sense challenges (Sensory Integrative Dysfunction)

  • Overly sensitive to touch, movement, sights, or sounds.

  • Under reactive to touch, movement, sights, or sounds.

  • Easily distracted.

  • Social and/or emotional problems.

  • Unusually high or low activity level.

  • Physical clumsiness or apparent carelessness.

  • Impulsive, lacking in self-control.

  • Poor self concept.

  • Difficulty making transitions from one situation to another.

  • Inability to unwind or calm self.

  • Delays in speech, language, or motor skills.

  • Delays in academic   What are some signs of reflex challenges? 

  • Toddler or older child still panicking when startled.

  • Unable to adapt to light and dark lighted areas.

Help for Reflex and Sense Challenges   
Children who are sensory self-protecting may have difficulty concentrating or interacting in the environment. They may shut down or over react as they try to protect themselves from common everyday elements.

  • Adapt environments (clothing, fluorescent lights, smells).

  • Provide calm safe place for child to go when overwhelmed. (pup tent, large box, tree house)

  • Provide comfort item (blanket, bottle, pacifier, jacket).

  • Know trouble areas and prepare

    • Long lines

    • Crowded places (hallways, elevators, spaces).

    • Unstructured areas (lunchrooms, gyms, large open areas).

    • Busy places (circus, family events, parades, sport events).

  • Slowly introduce things that cause sensory conflict to your child in 
    very small amounts and periods of time.  

Potential Sensory Triggers

Lighting

  • Fluorescent lights

  • Halogen lights

  • Strobe lights

  • Car lights at night / in rain

  • Tiled tunnels

  • Lighted mirrors

  • Reflective materials

  • Flickering sunlight through leaves / off water / blinds

  • Snow

  • Severe contrast

    • Red/black

    • Blue/orange

    • Black/white

  • Cinema/plays

  • White paper glossy

  • LCD signage   

Smells

  • Very sweet smells

  • Unexpected body odors burping, vomit, gas passing

  • Paints, varnish, glue

  • Hair spray, gel

  • Dry cleaned clothes

  • Fabric softener

  • Fatty foods deep-fried

  • Orange, banana peels

  • Flowers and pine trees

  • Cologne, perfume, aftershave

  • Smell of plastic

  • Gasoline, oil

  • Clinics, hospitals, antiseptics

  • Animal or human defecation

  • Medicine or alcohol

Body in Space

  • Swivel chairs

  • Being seated when others are moving

  • Tipped chair or surface

  • Light contact with ground or seat

  • Open area behind child's back

  • Close quarters

  • Lines of people

  • Tents

  • Elevators  

Hair

  • Hair bands

  • Hair brushed or combed

  • Hair shampooed

  • Barrettes  

Sounds

  • High pitched sounds

  • Deep resonating sounds

  • Background conversation

  • Discord

  • Unexpected loud sounds

  • Instrumental music mixes

  • Intercoms

  • Fluorescent lights 

Touch

  • Rough or cheap paper

  • Telephone book

  • Newsprint

  • Manila Paper

  • Color Crayon Paper

  • People touching them by accident

  • Teeth cleaned or brushed  

Clothing on self

  • Stiff tags

  • Stiff fabrics (jeans)

  • Seams in socks

  • Seams in clothes

  • Jean seams

  • Appliqué on clothes

  • Waistbands/wristbands

  • Belts

  • Ties under chin

  • Jewelry

  • Synthetic fibers

  • Pant legs that rub against each other

  • Stripes or polka dots

  • Material that does not breath

  • Too hot / cold

  • New shoes

  • Wool    

On others

  • Noise makers

  • Jangle bracelets

  • Watch alarms

  • Cell phone ring

  • Fabric rubbing

  • Reflection

  • Metallic look

  • Shiny sequins

  • Watches

  • Jewelry

  • Intricate patterns

  • Stripes

  • Polka dots

  • Loud colors 

Other issues

  • Sweat on body

  • Rain

  • Wind

  • Temperature change

  • Weather change

  • Feeling too hot or too cold 

Re "Ally" Ten FAScinating Steps
 1. Re-Invent | 2. Re-Generate | 3. Re-Focus | 4. Re-Appraise | 5. Re-Store
6. Re-Model | 7. Re-Arrange | 8. Re-Cuse | 9. Re-Sume | 10. Re-Create

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 Jodee Kulp | Published Books | Professional Memberships | The Spirit of Justice |
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kids.gif (5558 bytes)Better Endings New Beginnings Buttons to access Justice, Allegations, Families at Risk book or Minnesota Enterprises for Children which deals with foster care, adoption, FAS, FAE, legislation, and just for laughs. Enjoy.Making connections to promote restoration and renewal for families and children in crisis and trauma to bridge understanding of FASD. This site does not replace professional medical, legal, nutritional or educational counsel.  The information contained within this website are ideas that have worked for families with FASD members and you must use common sense, your intimate knowledge of your child, professional advise and safety in making appropriate decisions.  
We cannot be held responsible for any use or  misuse contained within this website. 
2006 Copyright  - All Rights Reserved   Last revised: July 13, 2006.  Jodee Kulp Digital Design