"I'm Not a Therapist, But..."

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I only recommend products we've actually used and tested in our chaos. But transparency matters, so you know what you're getting into.

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You know that friend who always starts sentences with "I'm not a therapist, but have you tried...?" Well, that's me. Hi there.

Taylor Swift Meme from TikTok

I'm not a therapist. But I am a mom of two beautifully neurodivergent boys who've taught me more about sensory processing than any textbook ever could. I've logged enough hours in occupational therapy waiting rooms to earn frequent flyer miles, I've been dubbed "honorary OT" by at least three actual OT professionals (probably because I started asking really good questions).

It probably helps that I spent a decade as a nurse in home health care, coordinating with therapists. But honestly? Most of what I know comes from watching my boys, listening to what they need, and trying approximately 847 different solutions until something sticks.

Our Sensory Playroom

Our sensory playroom actually is pretty Instagram-worthy, if I may say so myself? (minus the unpainted door… we really should paint that already) I’ve learned that cute and functional aren't mutually exclusive. When everything has a place and looks good, the boys are more likely to actually use it (and I'm more likely to keep it organized).

The Swing That Saved Us: Hanging from the ceiling in the playroom, this compression swing gets used regularly. It's been worth every minute of my husband's grumbling about "holes in the ceiling." The back-and-forth motion provides vestibular input that helps regulate our boys' nervous systems - it's like a reset button for us all.

Indoor Sensory Swing hanging from ceiling

Play Couch Magic: Our play couch is the MVP of our space. It transforms from seating to crash pad to wall padding depending on what sensory input the kids need. The deep pressure from crashing into it gives proprioceptive feedback that calms their bodies and minds.

Nugget Play couch transforms into crash pad for sensory input or fortress for a calming space

The Perfect-Height Table: We have a table that's exactly their size with built-in storage for sensory bins that rotate monthly-ish. The boys can access them independently – which means less "Mama, can you get..." and more autonomous sensory regulation.

Half Sensory Table / Half Lego Table

Other Items that just make sense…

Ankle Weights (Our Secret Weapon): These aren't just for the gym. Ankle weights provide constant proprioceptive input during wear, helping our boys feel more grounded and aware of their bodies in space. Game-changer for restless legs.

Indoor Climbing Gym with a Swing and Slide

Screen Free Story Box

What We've Learned (The Hard Way)

Less is more. We only buy things that will last. No more impulse purchases or cheap alternatives. We invest in brands that have proven themselves: Nugget, Harkla, Tonies, Jet Kid Stokke, Outree Pod (ours just recently popped BUT it was puppy induced), Alpine or Loop headphones. Quality over quantity, always.

Timing matters. That sensory break works best before the meltdown, not during. We've learned to read the *warning signs: hand-flapping increases, eye contact decreases, and suddenly everything is "too loud" for one boy and for the other he totally speeds up into Hulk Smash Mode.

One size fits nobody. What works for my younger son sends my older one into sensory overload. We've learned to have multiple options available and let them choose and to have visual aids available. Sometimes this also means divide and conquer and less family time together in the interim.

Sensory needs change (and then change back). What works at 3.5 doesn't necessarily work at 5... but then again, it might! We've had sensory tools and toys disappear into the "doesn't work anymore" pile only to become favorites again 18 months later. Development isn't linear, and neither are sensory preferences.

Remember: What works for our family might not work for yours, and that's perfectly okay. Every neurodivergent child is unique, and finding the right sensory solutions is often a journey of patience, observation, and lots of coffee… actually I think I need to switch to decafe but that’s a story for another day.

Have a sensory solution that's worked for your family? Share it in the comments below – Everyone is always looking for new ideas to add to their ever-growing toolkit.

Until next time, keep smiling

Christie