Sports and physical activities offer numerous benefits for children with special needs, including improved motor skills, social interactions, and self-confidence. Nevertheless, many of those same children have specific sensory sensitivities or in some cases, sensory processing disorders that may cause them to view traditional sports in a different way. These children could find sports settings to be overwhelming or difficult to process or even participate in.
Whether due to loud noises and bright lights or from simple physical contact, sensory challenges abound for certain children. There is also the very nature of sports, the unpredictable movements, quick action, and the roar of the crowd at games and meets. In any case, these situations can prevent children with special needs from fully enjoying sports.
As a parent, understanding these challenges and finding appropriate ways to address them can be a bit of a challenge, but that doesn’t mean they are impossible. As a matter of fact, we parents are well-placed help our children deal with these challenges, even if we understand that they may never be able to overcome them completely. Still, there is hope that every child can thrive in a sports environment, regardless of their sensory difficulties; so long as their parents know what to do to make things easier.
In this article, we will provide parents with valuable insights into how they can help manage their children’s sensory challenges. We will give parents guidance for how to choose the right sport for their child, as well as helpful hints for how to create a supportive experience tailored to their unique needs.
Understanding Sensory Challenges in Sports
Before you can learn how to help a child overcome their sensory processing difficulties, you first need to understand what that actually means. Indeed, many parents of children with special needs might not even realize that these sensory issues exist yet, or what triggers them. If we had to define such challenges, we would do so by saying that sensory challenges affect how children perceive and respond to sensory stimuli. This can include hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to various forms of sensory input. Note that these sensory issues may manifest in different ways during sports activities:
Sensitivity to Noise
Noise sensitivity in children with special needs is not uncommon. Loud environments, such as cheering crowds, whistles, or echoes in a gym, can be distressing or at the very least, distracting, for children with auditory sensitivities. This hypersensitivity to sound can make it difficult for a child to focus on instructions or even fully engage in the activity at hand.
Parents can help manage to manage this issue by using a tool, such as noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. These simple devices minimize auditory input and can make the sounds of sport less jarring for kids. In addition, one might utilize exposure therapy to gradually expose a child to noisy environments so that they can slowly acclimate to the common sounds and volume in a controlled and predictable manner.
Note that some children may also benefit from listening to calming music before practice or using mindfulness techniques prior to going into loud settings. It’s also important that parents inform their child’s coach about these challenges right from the get-go, so that they can do what they can to adjust the volume of their commands. Coaches might even be able to reduce unnecessary noise distractions during practice sessions, though such a tactic is not always easy when young children are concerned.
Aversion to Touch and Physical Contact
Not all sports involve physical contact, but that doesn’t mean that it cannot happen during the course of a practice session or game. Additionally, there are common sports, in particular, that involve some measure of physical contact, such as soccer, basketball, martial arts, or wrestling. Sports such as these may prove to be overwhelming for children, especially those who are already sensitive to touch. For kids with a touch sensitivity, even the smallest bit of unexpected contact can trigger a stress responses, making it hard for them to engage in play comfortably.
To ease this issue, parents might seek out alternative sports that don’t involve as much touch, or failing that. gradually introduce their child to mild physical interactions in a controlled environment. Parents can also utilize wearable devices, as with the sound sensitivity, such as compression clothing or weighted vests. These articles of clothing are used to provide comfort, as well as get the child used to the feel of added weight upon their body. At the same time, this clothing could provide deep pressure input that can help regulate sensory responses.
Parents should take time prior to enrolling their child to talk to coaches and their child’s teammates about the child’s sensitivities. Not only will this prevent unwelcome and distressing situations from occurring early on to sour the experience, it can encourage understanding and promote a more supportive atmosphere for everyone involved. Note that by encouraging participation in activities like yoga or swimming, which provide proprioceptive feedback without direct contact, parents can similarly help their kids to build tolerance to touch over time.
Visual Sensitivities
Bright stadium lights, moving objects, or unpredictable visual stimuli are all part and parcel to youth sports; and that might not always agree with every child. Children with visual sensitivities may feel distress at such stimuli or have difficulty focusing during the game or at practice. In terms of traditional sports, children with visual sensitivities might also find it hard to track fast-moving balls or participate in activities requiring quick reflexes.
Parents can use assistive devices, such as tinted sports goggles or shaded visors, to help minimize the impact of bright lights on a child’s eyes. These children might also benefit from more structured training sessions with clear, predictable movements and slower-paced drills. if at all possible, parents might enlist their child’s coach to encourage frequent breaks for their child in dimly lit areas, thereby reducing exposure to flashing lights can prevent sensory overload.
Difficulty with Movement and Balance
While some kids have sensitivities to touch, sound, or visual stimuli, others may find themselves struggling with coordination, balance, or proprioception, otherwise known as an awareness of body position. If your child has such challenges, it might make it hard for them to engage with certain sports activities, namely, running, jumping, or any activity that requires precise movements. If you hope to help your child improve their coordination and balance, you might start by incorporating activities such as trampoline exercises, obstacle courses, and balance training. These training methodologies are not just beneficial, they are easy to manage at home.
That said, many professionals, specifically occupational therapists, are there to help. These professionals can provide parents with tailored strategies to enhance body awareness and motor planning in children. Using visual cues and structured movement patterns during sports training can also help. When they learn these skills, kids pick up ways to anticipate and execute movements with added confidence.
Parents might also try encouraging their children to engage in strength-building exercises like core workouts and resistance training as these physical movements enhance stability and overall athletic performance. At the same time, parents would do well to select sports that emphasize predictable movements, such as track and field or martial arts, which can help in this regard.
Discomfort with Certain Textures and Equipment
Some children have sensory issues where clothing is concerned. We’re not just talking about the average kid who doesn’t like wearing shoes, but those whose skin may be unusually sensitive to touch. Kids with tactile sensitivities might not like the feel of uniforms, sports gear, or even grass and sand. Moreover, this aversion to certain textures can prevent them from fully engaging in a sport; it can even lead to distraction and distress if the sensitivity is severe enough.
To help, parents might look into sensory-friendly sportswear made from soft, seamless fabrics or else encouraging their child to gradually desensitize to different textures through different types of exposure therapy. One good rule of thumb is to always let the child try on gear at home before practice, as it can help them acclimate to the feeling in a familiar setting. Another option is to incorporate sensory breaks with fidget tools or textured materials can provide a way for the child to regulate their responses during sports activities. As with all other concerns, make sure that your child’s coaches and teammates are well aware of any sensitivities beforehand; this will hopefully ensure a more accommodating and understanding environment.
By understanding how these sensitivities impact your child, you will be in a much better position to help them. Knowing more about what they are feeling and experiencing will help you to choose the right strategies and adaptations to support their sports journey. Indeed, by taking these considerations into account, parents can create an environment where their child feels safer, more comfortable, and empowered to explore physical activities as never before.
Choosing the Right Sport
So how can parents help further? Simple, by selecting a sport that accommodates their child’s specific sensory needs. Taking these tips to heart can allow parents to make a significant difference in their child’s overall experience. Consider the following factors when exploring options:
Individual vs. Team Sports
Bear in mind that children with sensory challenges might simply prefer individual sports to team ones. These types of sports minimize social and physical contact. Some examples are:
- Swimming
- Track and field
- Gymnastics
- Martial arts
- Horseback riding
Others children may thrive in structured team sports, as these tend to have clear rules ase well as minimal contact. These sports include:
- Bowling
- Tennis
- Golf
- Adaptive cycling
When choosing a sport, remember to consider how structured the environment is and whether that environment provides predictable routines for your child to follow. Bear in mind that many children who struggle with sensory unpredictability may benefit from sports that have repetitive movements, which can enable them to gain confidence through familiarity.
Predictability and Structure
For kids who crave routine, parents should look for sports with consistent routines and minimal surprises. Activities like swimming, running, and martial arts tend to fit the bill here, as they involve structured movements that provide comfort and familiarity for some children. Predictability is crucial for children with sensory sensitivities, as it helps reduce anxiety and allows them to anticipate what comes next. Parents would do well to have their kids watch the sport beforehand, either at a practice session or on the computer, as it may help them understand what is ultimately expected of them prior to joining the sport.
Adaptive Sports Programs
Finally, remember that most communities offer some type of adaptive sports program these days. These programs are specifically designed for children with special needs and they create a supportive environment with trained coaches who understand sensory challenges. Adaptive sports allow modifications that cater to each child’s needs, such as reduced noise levels, alternative equipment, or smaller group sizes. Do your research first and foremost, of course, but don’t be shy about encouraging your child’s participation in adaptive sports.
These sports programs are designed to help children develop a positive relationship with physical activity. They help them get over their challenges, meet new ones, think more clearly, and make new friends. Moreover, they allow kids with special needs to engage with children like themselves, which can help them to feel more confident, included, and supported by their peers.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, sports and physical activities can offer invaluable benefits to children, even those with special needs or sensory challenges. The trick is in understanding and addressing those unique sensory challenges head on. By selecting the right sport, creating a supportive environment, and using tailored strategies, parents are more apt to help their children enjoy a fulfilling and positive sports experience and to build a love of phsyical activity that can help them overcome many of their concerns.
The truth is, some children will never get over their sensory issues completely, but many will find a newfound confidence through exposure, adaptation, and enjoyment. With patience, understanding, and the right strategies, sports can become an enjoyable and empowering part of your child’s life, even if they were averse to certain aspects of it.
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