Top 5 Items for Parenting a Sensory Kid

Things I have found to help me make it through the days.

Before, I give you my list, let me make this disclaimer. I haven’t done hours of research. I haven’t tried this on anyone else.  I can only say that these have helped me with my kid. They are merely suggestions. Please don’t blame me if they fail miserably for you. If they happen to be helpful to you, great!

1. Reward chart with stickers.

Because I am a teacher, the idea of earning a reward for expected behavior is ingrained in my brain. I have tried many versions, but I have found that Buggy responds best to the basic sticker reward chart. I tried to go the fuzzies in a jar route, but the little bugger would manipulate it so the fuzzies would get to the line or top of the jar on one side and say he earned the reward (did I mention that he is an evil genius?). It ended up being a daily battle instead of a positive reinforcement. That’s when I turned to the handy-dandy sticker chart. This way, he is able to know explicitly when he will earn his reward by counting how many spots are left on the chart (see how I slipped some math in there?). I base it off 3 things: Morning and Night Routine Charts (see #2) and behavior at school.  

He’s super into space and trains so I found ones that have those pictures on them, which seems to give him additional motivation. At least, that’s what I tell myself. I try to change it up every time or he loses interest. I also let him pick out the stickers, give him a sense of ownership (I can manipulate a little bit, too).

2. Daily Routine chart

See my post here for how and why I have routine charts for Buggy. They especially work for establishing routines for getting ready for bed and school. It has helped Buggy tremendously to keep him on track in the morning and to keep me from completely losing my mind (or what’s left of it).

3. This book, The Sensory Child Gets Organized by Carolyn Dalgliesh.

I don’t know if you can tell based on my posts so far, but I am not the world’s most organized person,  one might say I dabble in organization. I like to call it surface organization. I like putting things in binders and bins, but actual real organization is not my forte. If you were to actually look into those bins or binders, complete chaos! But it looks good on the surface, get it?

This book has been helpful to see how Buggy tends to do better when things are in order and have a place. I can’t just tell him to pick up his toys if he doesn’t know where they go. I can’t have him get ready for school, if he doesn’t know what he is supposed to do. The book gives great advice on how to help your child with what it calls “The Sensory Organizing System” and the “Golden Tool.”

Now, I am no super mom (far from it!) and in no way can do all the things the book suggests (nor do I try), but I have been able to do some of the things. Let me tell you, it has made all the difference for Buggy and for the Hubster and me. Especially for someone who only dabbles in organization.

4. My Tot Clock

This was an absolute life saver! I was hesitant at first because it was $60 and I don’t like spending that kind of money on something that might not work (I’ll own that I’m a cheapskate). This clock was totally worth every penny. The best features are the music it plays for bedtime and the light turning yellow for wake up.

My favorite thing about this clock is that you can set it for different things. It can wake Buggy up with music on school days and then have a different wake time with no music on the weekends. And so much more. It is all preset so you don’t have remember to change it! I have the memory of a 90 year-old, so this is key. The Tot Clock is one of the best things to ever happen to me! Well, that may be a tad dramatic, but I seriously do L-O-V-E this clock!

5. Smarty Pants Vitamins

We had a doctor recommend fish oil to help with attention and focus. I first found these bad boys at Target and they had fish oil and some other things that they say is good for you.  Buggy has had issues with constipation as well (he’s going to hate that I wrote this when he gets older, ha!). I made them a part of his daily routines (see above) and he cannot go a day without them. He makes sure to remind me if I forget! These vitamins make me feel as if Buggy is getting the nutrients he needs, even though he just ate his fifth meal of macaroni and cheese for the week. They make an all organic line as well, for those, you know, really good moms.

I hope this list is as helpful for you as it is for me. It doesn’t have to be just for sensory kids. I’m sure these could work for any parent or any kid. But again, I can’t guarantee it, so don’t @ me. But do leave me your thoughts or share any items you find helpful to get you through your days.