Helping Kids With Sensory Issues

A weekly update of content from childmind.org featuring parenting advice, in-depth articles, and the latest thinking on children’s mental health and learning disorders.

June 21, 2022

For kids with sensory processing issues, exciting new experiences can quickly become overwhelming. Take a typical birthday party: If you’re sensitive to loud noises and too much stimulation, then balloons popping and excited kids crowding around the cake and singing “Happy Birthday” aren’t going to feel like much fun. But with a little planning and communication with other parents, it’s easy to host gatherings that are enjoyable for kids with sensory issues — and everyone else, too.

This week on childmind.org we bring you expert guidance on throwing inclusive parties that let all kids have fun in the ways that work best for them. We also have ideas to make summer with sensory-challenged kids easier, including tips for taking the stress out of activities and vacations. Plus, how sensory issues change as kids get older.

Related Resources

Sensory-Friendly Party Ideas

Tips for throwing inclusive (and fun!) kids’ parties.

Sensory Processing Issues Explained

Oversensitivity, tantrums, clumsiness: All could point to problems taking in the world.

Tips for Going Places With Sensory-Challenged Kids

Planning outings and activities to maximize fun and minimize meltdowns.

Summer and Sensory Processing Issues

How to help kids stay comfortable during potentially overstimulating activities.

Do Kids Outgrow Sensory Processing Issues?

They may not disappear, but they usually be-come milder as kids mature and learn to manage them.

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