Children learn through play. Sensory-friendly activities can facilitate the development of fine motor, gross motor, visual perceptual, and creative skills. Sounds, sights, smells, tastes and textures can easily be incorporated into therapeutic play. Here are some sensory friendly activities that you can do right in your home: Paint with Shaving [...]
Outdoor recreation and exercise can be considered a highly valuable means of supporting mental and physical health. As Coloradans, we cherish our home state for the abundance of sunny days, the diversity and beauty of the landscape, and the multitude of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Hiking has especially been known to improve physical endurance [...]
According to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 54 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. Children's shows are more frequently taking the initiative to feature diverse representation, including characters on the spectrum. Not only does this representation matter for children with autism, but it’s [...]
It is common for children with autism to have eating challenges. These challenges can include: Avoiding certain foods Being irritable during meals Eating only a few favorite foods Refusing to try new foods This can make it challenging to ensure your child is eating a healthy range of foods and can cause stress surrounding food [...]
Haircuts can be an uncomfortable and stressful experience for any child. For neurodivergent children, getting a haircut can be a consistently overwhelming sensory experience. Parents with neurodivergent children may struggle to find a hairdresser that can individualize their approach and provide modifications to accommodate sensory challenges. Some hair stylists and salons offer sensory friendly [...]
Building a sensory friendly cozy corner in your home is a great way to give your child a place for self-soothing. These comfortable “calm down” corners are particularly helpful for children with sensory difficulties. They can benefit children with autism, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, other neurodiversity, or children who generally struggle with processing emotions. [...]
Neurodiverse children need to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Exposure to stories about their experiences can impact their self-understanding and sense of self-worth. Books featuring main characters that children can relate to help validate their experiences and make them feel seen and heard. Children's books exploring neurodiversity also teach children [...]
