Sensory Processing Disorder. Sensory Issues. Sensory Overload.
If you are a mom, a dad of an autistic child, you’d often hear these terms.
Why? Because most of the people on the autism spectrum have SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder). It’s when their brains have trouble processing or responding to what they see, hear, feel, smell and even taste!
Simply put, they can be oversensitive to things that are mostly just fine for us.
I have a 5-year old boy, who was diagnosed with Level 2 – Autism when he turned 3. We started noticing signs of autism when he was just 2, and he has experienced a lot of sensory issues.
Some of the Sensory Triggers That Used to Overwhelm My Child:
- Loud celebratory sounds, like crowd cheering
- High-pitched noises such as sirens and whistles
- Animal sounds (like a rooster, elephant, or lion)
- The ringing of the school bell
- Strong cheesy smells, like dishes with parmesan
- Heavy, acrid scent of hot, smoky pan with oil
- The intense, musky smell of ripe papaya
- The strong, smoky scent of burning leaves
I remember one time we ate at a restaurant, and his dad tried feeding him mac ‘n cheese. The moment he tasted the cheese, he gagged and threw up. He reacted the same way when we gave him ripe mashed papaya and banana. We have avoided these since then, so as not to upset him.
Moreover, here are a few of the sensory issues we noticed back then:
- He liked feeling the texture of almost everything, like the floor, the wall using his palm.
- He doesn’t pinch or grasp small items using his fingers—instead, he pushes or pats them with his whole hand.
Discovering Sensory Tools Through Therapy
My son used to be completely nonverbal so it was all about just observing him, experimenting different things. He couldn’t tell us what he wanted or what he didn’t so whenever he’s upset, we all just had to adjust and avoid whatever gives him sensory overload.
To be honest, I thought there would never come a time that he could tell me what he wants to do, what he wants to eat, or play with. There used to be no meaningful words, or phrases from him, but when we started occupational therapy, things started to change. I learned more about sensory processing issues, and how it greatly affects their ability to communicate, to express.
I remember the first time we went to his therapy session. He was crying so hard, and it looked impossible for them to get him to sit on the chair, but surprisingly, they did anyway.
Four Helpful Sensory Tools and Techniques that Therapists Used:
1. Applying Deep Pressure: Using a hypoallergenic, unscented lotion, they gave him a gentle, firm massage – on his shoulders, arms, and down to his legs.
Purpose: The therapist/teacher said it was to calm him down, make him feel secure, and minimize the feelings of being overloaded.
His dad and I were both astonished that our little boy stopped resisting. He sat down, and did not try to stand for almost 30 minutes, or as far as I could recall. They made him do his tasks. Completing puzzles, sorting shapes, and colors were some of his first few activities back then.
2. Brushing: (Wilbarger Brush if you look it up online). Using this, they brushed his arms, back and legs in a firm, slow and even strokes. Remember not to do it lightly so as not to make it feel ticklish.
Purpose: The firm, gentle brushing can help reduce anxiety, improve their focus, and help with sensory issues by making their body feel more organized and secure.
3. Jiggler/TalkTools: It was a battery operated toy with a fun shape (like an animal). So what they did was hold this tool, and touch it to my little boy’s cheeks, and around the mouth.
Purpose: Jiggler has this gentle vibration that helps wake up the muscles around his mouth, reducing the tightening of the muscles in his jaw as well. I have also learned that this tool can help in getting them to talk, to eat, drink using a straw, or even blow bubbles.
At first, my little boy did not like the feeling, especially when it vibrates. When we got our own Jiggler at home, I used it with him a lot, because I believed in its purpose.
4. Vestibular Activity: Using a large exercise ball, they had him sit while gently bouncing it. They also had him lie on his back and slowly moved the ball back and forth.
Purpose: As per the therapist, vestibular activity helps them feel calm and balanced. The movement helps their body understand where it is in space, making them feel more secure and focused.
Little by little, I made him not resist these tools. With the Jiggler, he can hold it by himself, and sometimes touch it with his cheeks, and mouth. This has been a part of our morning routine up to now.
Sometimes when he’s having a meltdown or when he’s simply just feeling overwhelmed, I apply the deep pressure technique or the Wilbarger brush to calm him down.
With vestibular activities, I tried using the exercise ball with him at home and he enjoys it. Just make sure your little ones are always supervised when using this tool to avoid accidents. I set up a hammock/swing here at home, which also has the same soothing effects as the exercise ball.
Celebrating Progress with Sensory Issues
After a couple of years of using these tools and “techniques”, I can see a lot of progress in my little boy.
- His meltdowns have become much less frequent, even when his routine changes unexpectedly or he doesn’t get what he wants.
- He can verbally express a few things like if he wants his Ipad, or he wants to eat/drink certain food/beverages.
- I can cut his nails in peace. (He’ll resist at first, but I managed to make him feel secure in a few seconds)
- He allows me to cut his hair with a razor. (The result was a disaster though, but still he did not resist for a few minutes.)
- I can nebulize him during asthma attacks. (He was totally not okay with this the first few times – it was a struggle).
- I can brush his teeth, even when I use a battery operated toothbrush.
- I can make him drink through the straw.
- He can hold his water bottle, and he can hold his spoon for eating.
- He can last a day without a bib now. (He used to drool a lot, getting his bib so damp).
- I can make him eat spaghetti, “menudo”, ube cheese pandesal (they all have cheese)
- I can feed him fruits like dragon fruit, ripe mango. (He still does not like the smell and texture of papaya and banana but at least he can tolerate other fruits)
- I can feed him ground pork, ground chicken, mashed squash, eggs, longganisa
- He can chew cookies, biscuits (just not hard ones)
The list goes on, but these are what I want to highlight. Some of these used to be such a struggle for both of us. So I am thankful and happy with what I discovered and learned from his occupational therapists.
My Closing Thoughts
There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ for children with autism. These tools may work for my child, but not for others. So if you can relate to these experiences, that’s wonderful—but if not, that’s okay too.
Every child is unique. It’s really about finding what helps them feel safe, calm, and supported. We just have to be patient with them, and with ourselves too. Expect some tough moments, trial and error, and don’t ever hesitate to ask for help from therapists who often know our children well.
There will come a time when our children will be capable of communicating how they feel and what they need – a time when they can manage or overcome these sensory challenges.