OT Series:  Sensory Processing Disorders and Going Out – How to Manage – How to Strategize

What You Can Do:  Noisy, Crowded, and Busy Places

Judy Benz Duncan, Occupational Therapist

What You Can Do:  Noisy, Crowded, and Busy Places

For children with sensory processing issues, giving repeated exposure and varied practice experiences will help your child manage and tolerate the situation easier, and will help the whole family’s stress and anxiety levels.

In today’s busy life, it is very common to be out and about, away from home, for any number of reasons. When you are taking your child(ren) in to noisy, busy, and crowded places, it often becomes a stressful and difficult task for a child with sensory processing disorders.

Beginning with, and continuing with introducing changes as a child grows will help them learn to adjust to changes and differences in their day-to-day life. This strategy is a great idea to incorporate into your daily life – well before you ever notice sensory disturbances or sensory meltdowns – any and all children can benefit from the variety and stimulation of change. 

Try any and all of the following ideas and suggestions to help your child develop their tolerance and ability to participate with the family in regular daily activities, events, and travel.

• Tell your child where you are going and what they will be doing or seeing along the way

• Make them as comfortable as possible for the trip – dress in clothes that do not irritate, comfy socks and shoes; providing headphones if they will wear them.

• Bring along some water and snacks in case they are needed

• Bring along some activity tasks and activities they can work on at a table when out to eat or when they have to wait

• Let them take a fidget toy or small stuffed animal friend along in their pocket or pack

• Play “Seek and Find” with your child – have a list of what you want your child to look for at the store, the restaurant, the mall, at church, at a party, wedding, and so on. Make the list simple and (can be words or pictures) specific to where you are going – your child will get frustrated looking for items they will not find where you are going. This will help keep them more relaxed and calm if they are trying to look for and find the items.

• Plan ahead for a quick exit route if needed, especially during loud, crowed events, like at a party, firework display, sports events, etc.

• Try to give your child a purpose for the trip or event – let them know what is going to happen, what they may see and hear

• Use a timer if needed to let them keep track of how long you will be there, or how long it will be before they can get up and move around, or how long it will be before you head home. Giving good directions and cues help your child understand and manage.

• Bring along some of the “stick on dots” – give your child a “dot” to put on them, or on a piece of paper or book every 5 minutes or 10 minutes (adjust to their tolerance and understanding) – count the dots as you go, and let them know that when they have 10 dots (as example) it will be time to leave, or they need to sit with you at the table for 5 dots, etc. When they get fidgety or start to become anxious, ask them to count their dots – help them keep track of time in this basic way

• Plan your time for the least busy day/time to go shopping, to a movie, or eating out – for example, if possible avoid a supermarket on a Saturday morning for a less busy, and more calm time; go to a matinee movie instead of during prime early evening to later times

• Ask for seating in a restaurant in a more secluded, dimmer and quieter area; try to plan eating out when less busy and when waiting times are rare. Booths tend to be more calming than a table. Try to avoid seating near the bathrooms, where the food comes out from the kitchen, near the front door, and well, you get it!

• If your child responds well to pre-activity calming strategies (massage, sensory bins, trampoline time, brushing, etc), try to do this before the trip or event; some you can do right in the car before you go in as well. For long events, you may need to take some “sensory breaks” throughout the time you are there.

• Consider having chew toys on hand if your child responds well with these

• Consider weighted vests, weighted backpacks, compression clothing and wraps

• If taking a special blanket or weighted blanket in is not appropriate, consider letting your child wear a soft, heavyweight, hoodie, or other clothing that helps to calm them

Enjoy! It’s all about learning and change – just go with flow, and keep calm! You are doing a great job in helping to support your child’s needs.

Please Return to Main Series Page to Continue on to Other Topics:

Car Trips / Traveling to an Activity

Walking Trips and Activities

Public Transportation / Travel (Bus, Train, Plane, Boat)

Shopping Trips

Eating Out

Movies

Parks and Pools

Attending a Party or Family Event

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