At The Lang School, we recognize that sensory processing challenges are a common experience for many twice-exceptional (2e) learners. As a school we strive to embed strategies and supports into every aspect of our program to help students thrive. Our approach is rooted in creating structured, sensory-friendly environments; offering individualized sensory activities and supports; and fostering open communication between educators, students, and families. This holistic support is critical for 2e learners because addressing sensory needs helps regulate emotional responses, improve focus, and build self-confidence. Mirroring these practices at home ensures that students experience consistency across their environments, allowing them to develop tools for self-regulation, self advocacy and resilience. When parents and educators work together to meet these sensory needs, we create a network of support that empowers students to engage more fully with their learning, their peers, and the world around them.
As parents of twice-exceptional (2e) children—it's important to recognize the unique challenges your child faces, particularly regarding sensory processing. Sensory processing challenges can affect how children respond to everyday stimuli, impacting their mood, behavior, and social interactions. Sensory processing refers to the brain's ability to receive, interpret, and appropriately respond to sensory information from the environment. This includes data from the five traditional senses—sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell—as well as additional sensory systems, such as proprioception (awareness of body position and movement), vestibular sense (balance and spatial orientation), and interoceptive senses (awareness of physical sensations that originate from within the body, helping individuals understand their physiological state and emotional well-being)
In individuals with typical sensory processing, the brain efficiently organizes and integrates sensory input, allowing for appropriate responses and interactions with the world. However, some people, including those with sensory processing disorders, may experience difficulty in processing sensory stimuli, leading to over-responsiveness (hypersensitivity) or under-responsiveness (hypo-sensitivity) to sensory input. This can affect their ability to adapt accordingly to changes in their environment and function & engage in everyday activities. Maladaptive responses to sensory stimuli can frequently present as fight, flight, or freeze behaviors (aka. tantruming), needing to leave the area, or shutting down and withdrawing.
Here are some practical strategies to support your child outside of school:
Create a Sensory-Friendly Home Environment
Your home should be a safe haven where your child feels comfortable. Consider:
Noise Control: Use soundproofing materials, white noise machines, or soothing music to help reduce overwhelming sounds.
Lighting: Soft, natural lighting can be calming. Avoid harsh fluorescent lights; instead, use dimmable lamps and consider blackout curtains to help your child control their environment.
Designated Sensory Area: Set up a specific space filled with comforting sensory items like fidget toys, weighted blankets, or soft textures. Encourage your child to use this space when feeling overstimulated.
Establish Routine and Predictability
Routines can provide a sense of security. Discuss daily schedules with your child and use visual schedules to outline the day’s events. This predictability can help alleviate anxiety about transitions or unexpected changes.
Incorporate Sensory Activities
Engage your child in activities that support their sensory needs:
Movement Activities: Activities like jumping on a trampoline, dancing, swinging, climbing, hanging from a pull up bar, gentle rough housing or simple body weight exercises can help release pent-up energy and provide organizing vestibular and proprioceptive input.
Food Exploration: Although many children with sensory processing challenges can be picky eaters - experimenting with different textures, smells and flavors of food ie. crunchy, chewy, bubbly, spicy, sour, sweet can provide different sensory experiences and provide calming or alerting input to a child’s nervous system.
Creative Expression: Encourage activities like painting, sculpting, or playing with clay. These can be both calming and stimulating for your child’s senses.
Get outside!: Spend time outdoors to expose them to a range of sensory experiences—feel the grass, play in the mud or sand, listen to birds, smell plants and observe nature. Nature can often provide a soothing backdrop for sensory exploration.
Encourage Social Engagement in Controlled Environments
Social interactions can be challenging for 2e children, especially so in unstructured environments. Arrange playdates or small group activities where your child can interact with peers in a comfortable, structured setting. Consider involving a trusted adult, like a family member or close friend, to help ease social tension.
Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Teach your child simple mindfulness or relaxation strategies to help them cope with overwhelming situations. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, or yoga can promote self-regulation and improve sensory processing.
Communicate Openly
Maintain open communication with your child about their sensory experiences. Encourage them to express their feelings and identify triggers together. Understanding their experiences can empower them to manage sensory challenges effectively. Take care to note what works and what doesn’t in order to build up their tool kit of coping skills and strategies.
Consult with an Occupational Therapist (OT) with a background in sensory processing
No matter where you are on your journey as a 2e parent it is always a good idea to consult with an OT if you suspect that your child may be struggling with sensory processing challenges that may be impacting daily function either at home, at school, or a combination of both. Oftentimes students are able to ‘hold it together’ throughout the day at school but then inevitably fall apart at home and vice versa. It can be overwhelming and exhausting for a child to manage sensory processing challenges throughout their day. Seek help if you feel that you or your child could benefit from more specific sensory support and intervention.
Supporting your 2e child with sensory processing challenges outside of school requires patience, understanding, and creativity. By creating a sensory-friendly environment, establishing routines, engaging in sensory activities, fostering social interaction in comfortable settings, and practicing mindfulness, you can help your child navigate the sensory world more comfortably. Your support and understanding will make a significant difference in their daily life and overall well-being.
Comments