Helping spring sports go a little smoother for your little

Every year at this time spring sports are in full bloom.  Soccer, swimming, baseball, gymnastics, etc.  We are itching to get our kids outside, to see other parents, to join together and have some fun.  We know that sports are a great way to get exercise, learn to work as a team, learn a new skill, and have fun while playing!  This is true for many kids. But not all.  So let’s take a moment and think about this…

My sensory challenged child loves _____ (insert activity here…soccer, baseball, swimming, fencing).

Sure, at home- with my other kids, the nanny, my husband, myself he thrives on it!  He understands the game, he loves running with us, he loves keeping score, and he loves being with us.  But when I take him to (group activity) he just sits on the sidelines and (insert behavior you weren’t expecting).

REWIND – What might be happening here?

Many sensory challenged kids (including autistic kids and kids with ADHD) simply see things differently.  They had a different plan.  They thought it would be different. (than you).

Many have sensory challenges that interfere with play. 

Sensory challenged kids struggle with outside sights, sounds, and touch- making the soccer field (baseball, gym, etc) feel overwhelming and stressful.

They are challenged with discrimination of visual input, proprioception, or vestibular input making the timing and sequencing of their motor actions off.

New motor tasks can be difficult to plan, initiate, execute and make subtle changes on a moment to moment basis (dyspraxia)- making it hard to understand the game and how it is played.

And they know it.  Yes, that’s right, they know that all of this is HARD!!!

FULL STOP – Here are a few ideas to make spring sports go better this season

1. Let him watch from the sidelines for as long as he wants.  That might be several lessons.
2. Give him a choice of whether he wants to play at all; if he doesn’t want to; don’t go back at all.
3. NO PRESSURE
4. Consider your child’s age.  Many preschoolers love sports with family, but not in a group.  He might just not be ready for this.  Don’t worry, there is always next year.
5. Many kids have a lot of anxiety that keeps them from trying new things (competitive sports can be intimidating). 
6. Try a weekend sport (gymnastics or swim).  Kids are tired on weekdays.   
7. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
8. Try bringing your child to the field (gym, pool) several times before the season begins.   
9. Meet the coaches before the season starts.
10. Meet the kids or a few kids before the season starts.
11. Ask the coach for a list of activities they will be doing so a visual schedule can be made and reviewed before.
12. For older kiddos, make him a buddy of a younger child so he can share his skills in a defined role.
13. Make sure each activity is well defined and he knows/understands what is happening.
14. PRACTICE the routines so they are familiar. (ex. Practice the drills)
15. Before going- talk about who will be there, what he’ll wear, how long you’ll stay.
16. Try to compare the situation to something they have done before (if possible).
17. Watch a YouTube video of a similar situation before.
18. Do these things several days before to allow for processing and questions.
19. Review on the day before
20. Review the hour before.
21. GET HELP or make a plan with an Occupational Therapist trained in Sensory Processing challenges. 

Or maybe you’re attending a game soon and need some tips too! Head over to this blog post where I chat about my favorite sensory ideas for baseball games.