MY HOUSE OF SEN - 5 Techniques That Help Us Cope With Life
Hi guys, so as most of you can tell from my other posts I try not to talk about my own family too much. Well that's about to change because I think it's important that we speak up and say whats on our minds. And for me it's my family and with the kids back at school, SEN is more prominent than ever!
So here's a little background. I am a mum of 4 and step mum of many! Step grandmother of 2 and all at the age of 32. Between hubby, myself and the kids we know what it's like to live with a range of special needs and medical conditions ranging from Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Irlen Syndrome, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, Bipolar and more. So believe me, I know what it's like to live in a house of SEN.
As I said earlier, with the kids being back at school and a new school for the little ones the word that springs to mind is Arrrgggg! Lol
But on a serious note I wanted to share with you all some of the techniques I use to help my family cope with life and their conditions.
1. Elements of normal daily routine
So my 6 year old really struggles during school holidays and weekends, she really needs to keep her brain active during the day to allow her to be calm and collected. My answer to this is learning resources, activity sheets, worksheets, workbooks and arts & crafts work great for her. I have also found that by doing this she sleeps better in the evening.
2. Music, Music, Music
We're a very musical family, so music works so well for all members of our family.
Do you remember the saying ''Music is food for the soul''? Well it is so true in my house!
Whether it's listening to pop, hip hop, r'n'b, classical or meditation/relaxation music or getting the musical instruments out and making our own, music is our most turned to technique. It also helps us get some great family time in where everyone is happy and calm with huge smiles.
3. Sensory Toys, Lights and Bubble Tubes
We have tried and tested so many but they really do help. My youngest used to have a colour changing bubble tube, when we moved house there wasn't enough space in his room for it so we swapped it out for a disco light bulb and a Lightning McQueen night light. He can change the colour to suit himself creating a calm relaxed sensory room within his bedroom. With my daughter, too much sensory stimulation sets off tantrums and meltdowns, so in her room she has fairy lights. The relaxed warm lighting helps keep her calm and chilled out. As for sensory toys we have a box that they always have access to, in there they have fiddle toys, flashing toys, chew toys, shakers, rubix cubes, mazes, pinball puzzles and much much more. By trial and error you will find what works best for your family members and have a quick mobile solution to helping them to cope when things get a little crazy.
4. Outdoor Play/Games
Like any children SEN kids need to burn off steam, in the new house we don't really have any outdoor space but we do have the beach and a park close by so I make use of them where possible. I also find that soft play works well for them. If your lucky enough to have outdoor space swings, seesaws and trampolines work well, I find that the repetitive motion really helps them to let off steam but also keep calm at the same time.
5. Calm Time
As for calm time, both of my little ones have dedicated calm time spaces,. For my youngest as I said earlier is his bedroom as it is set up as a sensory space also. As for my 6 year old daughter we created a calm time space in the corner of her room. We made a circular drape using voiles and an old hoolahoop and dressed it with cushions and a bean bag covered with her favorite throw blanket. If you don't have space to create something like this within bedrooms under dinning tables and corners of rooms work well, it just takes a beanbag or cushions along with a throw for them to be able to hide away for a little while. I find that this has helped our children learn to self manage their emotions a lot of the time. And us older ones have the bathroom and bedroom. We have tried to create something glamorous and spa like to help us relax and calm once we enter those rooms in the house.
I'm not naive to think that these ideas will work for all families, all of the time, but hopefully they can give you ideas of what may work for your family.
Thanks for reading and until my next post best wishes.
Sarah x
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