4th of July Guide for Sensory Sensitive Children

Happy 4th of July!!! Here's a guide to help your sensory-sensitive child avoid a meltdown.

1. Manage your expectations: Accept that you will have to spend more time helping your child than other parents.

2. Going to a BBQ? Tell your child in advance where the party will be, who will be there, and what to expect.

3. Fireworks: Let your child know that there will be a lot of people, noise, and fireworks, and demystify them.

4. Pre-plan: Create a social story.

5. Acknowledge: Let your child know what fun activities will take place and what might be uncomfortable.

6. Empathize. Let your child know that gatherings and fireworks were hard for you as a child and how your parents helped.

7. Your mantra: "You can do this and I can help!"

8. Socially acceptable escape: go on a hunt to find a location a comfortable distance away to "participate" from afar.

9. Celebrate your child's successes!