Sensory Inputs and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Practical Tips for Parents

Just a Little Bit... But More Often

It is common for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) to react adversely to some typical daily experiences. A variety of daily sensory inputs, that seem routine to us, can feel overwhelming for them, including:

• Common sounds: vacuums, toilet flushes, blenders, emergency vehicles, or store scanners

• Physical proximity: being close to others in crowds or sitting right next to someone

• Strong smells: certain foods cooking, soaps or shampoos

• Specific food tastes or textures: fruits and vegetables, mushy or crunchy foods

• Certain forms of touch: applying sunscreen, cutting finger and toe nails, and brushing/washing/cutting hair

When children find these experiences overwhelming, they often use the only coping tools they have to make the discomfort stop. This can look like crying, screaming, running away, dropping to the floor, or acting aggressively toward themselves, others, and their surroundings.

Naturally, parents may become vigilant, trying to balance daily activities that need to be done with the desire to avoid upsetting their child. They may find themselves exerting a lot of effort to avoid this upset, doing things for the child (even though the child may be independent), waiting for as long as possible until they absolutely have to do what needs to be done, and/or avoiding situations that may otherwise be enjoyable for the child and family. It is understandable why this can be so distressing for parents. 

What are parents to do? Let’s consider some practical steps to help your family navigate these challenges.

Step One: Give Yourself and Your Child Some Grace 

Recognize that your child and you are both behaving in a typical human way. Your child is behaving in a way to escape an experience they find uncomfortable; and you are behaving in a way to escape your child’s upset. However, to have a more positive outcome for everyone, recognize too that something has to change and that change likely has to start with you.

Step Two: Building Tolerance a Little Bit at a Time

Next, work on building your child’s tolerance toward the experience they find aversive, while minimizing their upset. Tolerance is built by carefully exposing your child to small amounts of what they find aversive. For example: clip one finger or toenail only each day; play an aversive noise in the background on a low volume the child can tolerate then gradually increase the volume (it’s okay to start at a volume everyone can barely hear); or give them a ‘pea-size’ amount of a healthy food they tend to avoid.

Step Three: Practice Often

For your child to tolerate the experience they find aversive, they must be exposed to that aversive experience just a little bit but often. You may have to get creative about how to do this! For example, brush 1/6 of their teeth at a time but 6 times throughout the day to ensure all teeth are brushed or rub sunscreen on one limb then take a break before doing another body part. Frequent daily practice is key to making progress.

Step Four: Offer Choices

Give your child choices while continuing to expose them to the aversive experience. For example, they can choose which nail to clip, which 1/6 area of the mouth to brush first, which healthy food to try first, or which reward they’ll earn. This is when they can be in charge.

Step Five: Create a Predictable Ending

When possible, create a predictable way to let your child know when the aversive experience will end. For example, use a timer, count, sing a song for the experience duration, say a consistent phrase, or do a consistent action that makes the end stand-out.

Step Six: Reward Progress

Your child genuinely finds this common experience to be overwhelming, even though most people do not. Building tolerance is hard work. Rewarding their efforts makes the experience less aversive, and more enjoyable for them. In turn, when they are less likely to become upset, the experience is more enjoyable for you too. Choose rewards based on what your child prefers and what they can quickly and easily have after practicing. To guarantee you are rewarding their efforts, ensure your child cannot help themselves to the reward but rather, it is something that only you give to them. Combine this with positive phrases such as, “You did amazing!” or “Look at how hard you worked!”.

Step Seven: Small Adjustments towards Your Goal

When your child easily handles a small amount of what they previously found aversive, you can gently increase the amount. Make small adjustments over time, slowly working your way up to the goal of how the activity naturally happens for others.

These steps help your child to build tolerance towards experiences they find aversive. By practicing exposure to just a little bit more often, your child is less likely to become upset. In turn, as their tolerance grows and they get used to the experience, life is more likely to be enjoyable for them and those around them.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be practiced as professional behavioural advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this content does not create a professional-client relationship between you and the author. Every child is unique, and general strategies may not apply to your specific situation. If your child is experiencing significant behavioural challenges, please consult with a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA), or a qualified healthcare professional to develop an individualized plan.