Life on Overload :: Sensory Awareness

2

Close your eyes while you’re in your kitchen and listen to all the sounds: the stove ticking, kids making noise, water running, the microwave beeping, and every other kitchen feature. Now, think about closing your eyes for two seconds at a traffic light. What would you hear? Birds chirping, horns honking, engines and motors running. Finally, imagine that you are at work and your phone is ringing, e-mails are coming in, colleagues are typing, and someone is talking to you all at one time . . . OVERLOADED yet? Children with autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience these types of sensory overload, and more often than not, these overloads hinder these precious individuals and their families from having wonderful experiences.

Making Sense of Sensory Overload 

Sensory overload and autism awareness

When neurotypical people get overloaded, it’s very easy for us to close our eyes, breathe, and focus. We can turn everything off and attempt to achieve peace and serenity. For children with autism, ASD, and sensory processing disorder, this is just not the case. They cannot turn things off, or easily decompress; and for some, the most common things are sensory triggers. A church choir singing, cash registers in a grocery store, other children laughing — all of these things can produce sensory overload. This overload is not only auditory, but visual and maybe tactile as well.

To be honest with you all, children with autism are not the only ones who respond to sensory overload. I am a mother of a child with attention deficit disorder, and sometimes giving him too many instructions overwhelms him and he just breaks down. With that said, as a mom and an advocate for children, mental health, and positive parenting, I truly believe that it is up to us to make the community pleasurable for all. It is up to us to make communities and everyday places comfortable for all of our children to thrive and co-exist.

The Rise of Sensory-Friendly Accommodations 

So, with more and more children being diagnosed with autism and ASD, I am proud to see that Birmingham is becoming more sensory-conscious and sensory-friendly in many places. It’s such a great thing to see! Many restaurants are molding and offering sensory corners, and many play places are holding monthly sensory events. The McWane Science Center downtown offers sensory-friendly spots with instruments like earphones and small textiles for calming. Fun play places like Let’s Play on 280 and in Hoover and Chuck E. Cheese (What does the E. stand for?) offer families sensory-friendly nights where the lights are lower and the music is turned down to a comfortable but fun level.

The Pathway at Children’s of Alabama

In mentioning sensory-friendly options and raising awareness of this need, I cannot not mention Children’s of Alabama. Already a hub of awesomeness as the only Level 1 children’s trauma center in Alabama and a place where happiness and dedication abound from employees, the emergency room at Children’s has gone up a level in accommodating children with autism and/or sensory processing issues by offering a pathway to help recognize these triggers.

A team of professionals worked collaboratively to develop the pathway for the hospital. The main objective of the pathway was to make the overwhelming and overloading experience of coming into the emergency room a little less scary, not only for the patient but for parents as well. The great thing about the pathway is that it is simple and effective. It requires a few things: willing doctors, nurses, and other staff; a few great textile toys; magnetic signs; and great communication. The pathway doesn’t discriminate against a diagnosis or non-diagnosis and it’s complimentary. Patients come into the ER and if the parents inform the staff of sensory triggers, they begin the pathway. A magnetic strip is put on the patient room that says “sensory” and then the patient is offered instruments that help decompress their overloaded state. On top of that, the nurses and other members of the care team are constantly updated on the pathway. 

Autism Awareness                                

I want to end my post by recognizing the autism and ASD community. It is comprised of healthcare teams, mental health teams, parents, teachers, and — most importantly — individuals. These individuals have beautiful souls and spirits; they have interests, likes, and dislikes. There is a beautiful vulnerability in these individuals that we all should recognize and appreciate. Many breakthroughs are happening for co-existence; I’m loving the progress and I cannot wait for the future! Let’s keep working on this puzzle!

What are some other sensory-friendly places and experiences around town we should know about? Please share in the comments below!

 

Previous articleI Am An Infertility Survivor {Infertility Awareness}
Next articleI Wasted A Day
Lauren P
Lauren is a Chicago native turned Alabama resident. She came to Alabama leaving behind great pizza, tall buildings, and white winters to become a doctor. Little did she know, she would meet one special person who would change her life forever. Now Lauren resides in Hoover with her husband, Dell, and two kids, Brysen and Karsyn. She enjoys busy days, quiet nights, football, and barbeque. (Oh, and let's not forget Target and the beach!)

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you so much for writing this Lauren – and for giving others some perspective of what it’s like to have sensory issues! Our little girl has struggled with some sensory processing issues since coming home via adoption. It’s something we’re working through with chiropractic care, sensory input, and a whole lot of education and understanding – and she is making great strides! But it is so nice when other people work to understand how challenging certain environments can be for her.

  2. Ericka!
    Awww that sweet girl!! You’re so welcome! Im happy to give sime insight! There will be a follow up post to this one coming soon!!!

Comments are closed.