Many autistic children have sensory issues, meaning they may experience touch, sound, light/seeing, smell or taste in a much more intense or much lower degree than neurotypical children. For example sound might feel much louder and more intense to them. They may be uncomfortable being touched or need a stronger hug or touch.

Dealing with sensory issues during the day at school, activities after school, and at home can be confusing and stressful. Think about what a typical school day can look and feel like, with different sounds, smells and lighting. Understanding your child’s sensory issues can help you find strategies that help and to avoid stressful situations.

Challenging, difficult behaviors may be caused or set off by sensory issues. Learning what kinds of sensory challenges your child struggles with can help you watch for signs of a meltdown. Recognizing these signs may prevent it from happening.

A meltdown is an overwhelming emotional outburst and behaviors caused by an inability to communicate. A meltdown is related to a child’s inability to self-regulate, which means the ability to handle emotions and behaviors in a given situation. A meltdown happens when a child has been over-stimulated, often with one or more of their senses (sound, sight, touch, smell, taste) intensely overloaded.

Visit this Challenging Behaviors article in the Milestones Autism Planning (MAP) Tool and the Milestones Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit for information and strategies. To learn more about self-regulation, check out this information from The Child-Mind Institute.

Learning what your child likes and doesn’t like, and what they can and can’t handle gives you the knowledge to succeed. It empowers you to adapt your routines, use tools and accommodations to get the most out of life. It can be frustrating, but by trying different approaches you can find ways to make things better. The Milestones free autism Helpdesk is here to support you and your family.

Think about for your child:

• Which activities and experiences are most and least tolerable? Why?
• What sets off a strong reaction?
• What modifications and supports can help them (see examples below)?
• What can you control in their home or school environment or daily routine that can help them function at their best?
• Are there things they can tolerate as long as they’re the one controlling it? For example the volume of music, TV or game?
• What is the same between different places and situations that may be causing meltdowns such as setting and sensory – lights, sounds, smells?

Test Different Devices and Distractions That May Help

• Wrap around sunglasses for sensitivity to light.
• Ear plugs or noise reduction headphones for reducing sound.
• Sensory toys, squeeze balls, rubber band, fidget items.
• Special sensory bracelet.
• Sensory friendly clothes, with fabrics and without tags that may irritate them.
• Music that appeals to your child and calms them.

Ideas for Modifications to Routines

The world doesn’t change for us so finding ways to adapt or avoid things that are difficult for your child can help.

• Learn the best routines and preferences for your child. For example, is there a calming routine or sensory toy your child might do or have before going out to an activity or place. If your child’s day is too full, if you have the ability, decide what is most essential to happen that day and lighten the schedule.
• Plan where you are going ahead of time including parking and what you will bring with you to help your child cope.
• Shop off hours when the store is not as busy if you need to bring your child with you.
• Shop online including grocery shopping service to avoid the fluorescent lights, sounds and crowds.
• Buy clothing and shoes your child likes in different colors especially if they have particular needs.
• Plan ahead for when you are running out of things or your child’s clothes are wearing out.

Strategies That May Help

• Share the sensory strategies and needs you’re working on with siblings and extended family, such as we have lights dimmed or tv or music volume lower.
• If possible you could set up one area of a room differently with specific needs for your child (ie basket with headphones, sensory toys).
• Have your child help pick out their own sensory items such as the type of headphones that they like and feel are most comfortable.
• As you see which activities and items are most calming to your child, you can offer that item when you see them starting to feel anxious if they need to handle a challenging situation such as a doctor’s visit.
• For children who do not have communication skills yet, you can use trial and error to try out different things like turning down the lights.
• Help your child identify when they're getting overwhelmed and learn how to use coping strategies, so they build that self-awareness. Teach them to ask for help when something is difficult.

Things to Keep in Mind

Sometimes your child might think something will calm them down but might be something they like to do like a video game that isn’t going to calm them down.

The same strategy isn’t necessarily going to work the same way for the same thing. What your child finds calming can also change over time.

Your child may be able to tolerate something in a certain setting when they choose to do it or can control it, even though they normally can’t. For example if they decide they want to go to a movie theater to see something they’re excited about, but normally can’t stand loud sounds. Or if your child turns up the volume they might be fine with it but if someone else blasts sound it drives them crazy.

Impact of Sensory on School

Discuss your child’s sensory issues and other needs with their school team teacher and staff and what strategies might help. For example you could ask if there are things they could do like taking a break to walk down the hall when they are overwhelmed. Or could they be given an activity like pushing a cart with something heavy in it.

Think about how school routines might be impacted by their sensory needs. For example if sitting at a traditional hard chair and desk is hard for them, would adding a cushion or allowing them to have a sensory fidget toy for calming help? School hallways can be loud and crowded. Wearing ear buds may help them handle it.

In typical classes there are so many colors and decorations on the wall it is a very distracting and overwhelming environment that may impact how children behave. Things to consider:

• Are children talking and other background sounds distracting them?
• Will you bring or do they have food options that work for your child’s sensory needs?
• Are there things in the eating or recess environment that are harder for your child because of sensory issues that you can work with school to help with? Such as children screaming and running around during recess outside.
• Social stories or picture schedules that show them visually the steps in a process or the day’s schedule may help them. The Milestones Visual Supports Toolkit has information and tips.

Sensory Issues Going Out in the Community

As you go out for daily activities, consider how your child might experience sensory issues. Think about how you can help them by adjusting the environment, giving them tools to cope, or avoiding situations or times that are more difficult.

Outdoors can pose unique challenges like sounds, smells and insects buzzing, flying and crawling.

Keep in mind your child’s challenges when considering different activities or therapies. Look for opportunities open to or geared to children with special needs and speak with the leader.

Make sure to consider how safety issues can be impacted by sensory issues. For example, parking lots present sensory challenges of the sounds of car engines running, honking of horns, motorcycles revving, and sirens feeling much louder to them than to you. Children may want to move quickly away from those sounds.

Try out different ways to help your child deal with those sensory sounds such as wearing their favorite headphones. Teach your child parking lot safety like holding an adult’s hand and understanding that cars are backing out and may not see them. Autistic children may be more likely to run off and not understand the dangers of cars moving in and out of parking spaces. You can read more in this Safety in the Community article in the MAP Tool.

Sensory Impact on Sleep, Hygiene and Feeding

Sensory issues can impact daily routines such as sleep, hygiene and feeding and nutrition. Here are strategies and examples. For more information, visit the sleep, hygiene and food/nutrition articles in the MAP Tool.

• Getting your child to brush their teeth may pose a special sensory challenge including taste or smell of toothpaste, the design of the toothbrush (vibrating or not, color/shape). Look for toothbrushes and flossers that fit your child’s needs and preferences. You may want to try a toothbrush designed for autistic children.

• If your child resists using different products like deodorant or shampoo, try different items and think about whether the challenge might be sensory issues. For example would a fragrance-free product or a specific type of fragrance be better.

• It is common for autistic children to have limited foods they will eat. Sensory issues involving texture and smell can especially impact preferences. For example, how smooth is the food vs. chunky, how it feels on the tongue and going down, size and shape. Children have strong preferences and thrive on routine which can also influence eating.

• When thinking about foods your child will eat, watch for potential texture and other sensory aspects of what they may like or dislike.

• Try to gradually, slowly build a little more selection in their food choices. Be patient and understand underlying potential issues. Is there a texture that is hard for your child to tolerate?

• Sleep issues are common for autistic children, including only getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep each night because of how they are wired differently. Developing a calming nighttime routine that works for their sensory issues can help, including taking a bath, reading a book or listening to music. The Milestones Sleep Tool Kit provides information and strategies.

Acknowledging the Things Your Child Can't Handle

No matter the approaches you try, there may be some things your child just can’t handle, for example light shows or fireworks. This can impact the rest of the family if we can’t go to events like baseball games that inevitably have fireworks or do what you wanted for July 4th.

You can test using special glasses or earplugs and sitting as far away from the main action as possible. Maybe seeing fireworks on the big screen TV is the closest your child can tolerate but then be able to comfortably see the beauty of them. Or watch them from inside a parked car with closed windows.