Page 53 - Education Supplement February 2025

6 WAYS TO HELP YOUR SENSORY-SEEKING CHILD THRIVE

1. Create a Safe Space at Home
Safety becomes paramount when parenting a sensory seeker who may not recognise
danger. Install safety gates, secure furniture, and lock away hazardous items. Use
visual schedules and reminders to build routines, helping your child feel secure in their
environment.
2. Offer Structured Sensory Input
Trying to suppress sensory-seeking behaviours only leads to frustration. Instead, meet
those needs in safe ways. Weighted blankets, firm massages, or sensory toys can help
your child self-regulate. Activities like swinging or jumping on a trampoline provide the
movement they crave, promoting balance and focus.
3. Set Up a Sensory-Rich Environment
A sensory-rich environment encourages healthy exploration. Create a designated
sensory space with textured mats, soft lighting, and soothing music. Provide swings or
beanbags for physical input and aromatherapy oils for calming smells. This way, your
child has a safe place to explore and engage their senses.
4. Educate Family, Teachers, and Caregivers
Sharing your child’s needs with those around them fosters understanding and
empathy. Educate teachers, grandparents, and caregivers about the purpose behind
sensory-seeking behaviours, ensuring they respond appropriately and supportively.
This knowledge allows your child to receive consistent care and helps prevent
misunderstandings.
5. Celebrate Small Wins and Reinforce Positive Behaviour
Acknowledging progress — however small — goes a long way. When your child asks
for help or chooses a safer way to meet their sensory needs, celebrate it. Reinforcing
positive behaviour with encouragement builds trust and gives your child tools to
manage their world effectively.
6. Build Resilience and Find Your Community
It can be tough when others don’t understand your child’s behaviour. But as a parent,
your resilience matters. Lean on communities and resources that understand your
journey — you don’t have to navigate this alone.

Supporting a sensory-seeking child means embracing their uniqueness
and helping them thrive in a world not always built for them. It’s about
finding joy in the quirks, patiently meeting challenges, and celebrating
each step forward.

• Showing a high tolerance for pain or playing
rougher than others
Sensory seekers may need strong, deep pressure
to feel balanced. Rough play gives them the intense
physical feedback they crave, helping them feel
more regulated.
• Touching everything — or everyone — within reach
Tactile exploration helps sensory-seeking children
feel more connected to their surroundings. Physical
contact, whether through hugs or brushing against
others, offers comfort and reassurance.

These behaviours aren’t random — they are ways
children regulate their emotions and manage the
sensory input they experience. It can be overwhelming
to navigate, but parents and children can thrive with
understanding and strategies.

Education | February 2025 | 51