The ONE Must-Have Sensory Item My Son Can’t Live Without (and Neither Can I)
Are you searching for the perfect sensory outlet for your seeker?
While there are a LOT of sensory products out there, the one I think gets overlooked the most is…. (read on to find out!)
Today, Jeni from from Heavy Metta is sharing her sensory discovery that is changing how she manages her sensory seeker in the house.
Be sure to learn more about Sensory Processing Disorder and my parenting tips on how to support your child with sensory challenges.
This post contains affiliate links.
The ONE Must-Have Sensory Item My Son Can’t Live Without
Ah, summer. The best of times, the worst of times.
It starts with promise, then towards the end, well… lets just say for a lot of parents it’s the most wonderful time of the year – back to school!
Whether you “free range” it, or perfectly craft the months with activities for your kids, it’s a challenge.
Needless to say, we parents with sensory kiddos have extra.
My 5 year old guy is a seeker and avoider.
Oy, the best of both worlds! He’s has super auditory sensitivity, so although he is very active, he can’t stand loud, unpredictable noises for very long.
(He has no problem making a whole lot of noise of his own, but I digress).
With physical therapy he’s gotten much better, but still when we do go out it’s in short, controlled bursts, leaving us with a lot of inside time.
So, when he is not at summer school for a few hours, he’s pretty overstimulated and wants to play with me in the safety of his (mostly) quiet, predictable home.
And how does he want to play?
Rough!
He has intense proprioceptive needs, and although we give him plenty of items to push and pull around, but by far his favorite way to blow off steam has been slamming into things, such as the couch or me.
He’s our little bull in a china shop!
At the beginning of summer I told my husband that there was no way me, or my back, can take the slamming anymore!
He simply gotten too big, and does not know how hard he is hitting.
We had moved into a smaller place that could not accommodate his beloved Skywalker Trampoline, and since his needs are so high in this area, we had to find a solution.Â
Introducing Solution Crash Pad!
Milliard Crash Pad Sensory Pad with Foam Blocks for Kids and Adults with Washable Cover
Milliard Deluxe Crash Pad, Sensory Pad with Foam Blocks for Kids and Adults with Washable Cover
What a godsend this has been!
He can jump on, crash into, roll around on, jump off chairs onto (with supervision of course), wrestle with daddy on, and even rest on it when he’s done thrashing (although I’ve yet to see him do that, a mom can dream).
It can take a beating, has a removable/washable cover, and will last for as long as he needs it.
Along with saving my aching body, his using it before and after school has been very regulating for him.
His teachers say he can actually sit still for a little while!
With our little guy, predictable schedules rule.
He has very narrowed interests, doesn’t like art (so far…what do you mean you don’t want to make a Fairy Jar??), and although I keep trying, he loses interest in new things quickly.
His mainstays have always been space, and crashing.
Yes, he does crash his space ships on the crash pad too!
So the walls, floors, and his toys owe the pad a lot this summer, as well as my back and sanity.
Now, if only I can convince him that our kitty doesn’t particularly care for crashing either.
Still working on that one. Â
SENSORY SUMMER SERIES
This post is part of the Sensory Summer series, hosted by Mommy Evolution in partnership with The Sensory Spectrum.
I encourage you to follow us all summer and visit our Sensory Summer landing page to get the latest sensory fun for your kiddos!
About Jeni
Jeni writes at Heavy Metta, trying to respond to life in a way that is skillful, not hurtful. She strives to find a way to accommodate her chronic illness while balancing her son’s special needs (SPD) as well as her own anxiety about it all.
My son loves to play rough too. We are always wrestling, playing power rangers, etc. I’ve yet to purchase one of these but maybe i should.
Erin, I really wish I had known about these YEARS ago. It would have been amazing to have when Vman was 3. Even at age 9…. it’s tempting.
I was reading your article, and did you make a typo when you wrote physical therapist? Because everything you described I know is treated by an occupational therapist and usually physical therapists refer to occupational therapist for SPD.
This looks like it would be SUPER helpful. I’ve never heard about it, thanks so much for sharing!
I bagged an old futon a friend was getting rid of. My kids slammed on it for years. They also use my memory foam mattress-I don’t have to worry about springs wearing out. A old mattress otherwise going to the dump-either yours or someone else’s- would work also. A little bit of creativity and keeping one’s eye open can solve this issue inexpensively!
Our sons are very similar! My son Jayden is also the best of both worlds and your description of your son is nearly identical to mine! He is four and man does he wear me out, even with OT and plenty of stimulation at home, Mommy is usually the jungle gym. I will definitely be looking into a crash pad for him!
Would a trampoline perhaps provide similar sensory seeking needs? We have one and my daughter really enjoys it. BUT, she also runs A LOT. Sometimes she will run and lunge onto the bed and other times, while jumping on our mini trampoline, will lunge onto the couch.
Does this item meet very different needs than a trampoline may be providing? Thanks! 🙂
Not necessarily. We’ve had a mini trampoline in our TV room for years and it’s been an amazing sensory outlet for my sons. A crash pad allows you to do extra things on it … and for kids that need to crash, it’s a safer option than the couch. Check out this article about how crash pads can be used… http://www.especialneeds.com/blog/how-do-heavy-work-and-crash-pads-benefit-children-with-sensory-processing-disorders/
We recently bought a big screened in trampoline and it’s perfect for filling that need to crash and jump. ..supposed to have lots of health benefits to boot for ALL ages including adults. … but on rainy days this would be awesome.
We love our outdoors trampoline, too. But we’re in Chicagoland and the winters are just too cold to be outside
Good article but the ads when scrolling were driving me crazy! Won’t be in a hurry to read another
I’m sorry to hear that. Next time, all you need to do is X it out.
I’d love one of these for my son but can’t find any in the UK – any ideas on UK stockists please? Thanks, Sophie
Oh gosh. I’m sorry but I don’t know the UK market at all. I do know that if you do a search on Pinterest, you can find a couple of DIY tutorials to make your own.
Anyone have any ideas for storing it when you don’t want to use it for a while?
We just tuck it under the bed!