Every child experiences the world differently. The sounds, textures, movement, people, and environments around them can influence how comfortable they feel participating in everyday activities.
Maybe your child covers their ears in loud environments, avoids certain textures, constantly seeks movement, or becomes overwhelmed in crowded spaces. Perhaps your child has difficulty communicating what they want or need through speech. Parents and caregivers may wonder, “Is this something I should be concerned about, or is there a way I can better support my child?” A good first step is paying attention to how your child responds to different environments and recognizing that participation can look different for every child.
Sensory processing refers to how the nervous system receives and responds to information from the senses. Children can respond to sensory experiences in many different ways. Some may seek additional movement, sounds, or textures, while others may be more sensitive to noise, touch, lights, crowds, or changes in routine. These differences can affect everyday activities such as getting dressed, eating, playing, learning, or participating in community events. Small adaptations can sometimes make these experiences more accessible and manageable.
Communication can also look different from child to child. Children may communicate through facial expressions, gestures, signs, pictures, communication boards, or speech-generating devices. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) includes tools and strategies that can supplement or provide alternatives to spoken communication. For children who have difficulty communicating through speech, having additional ways to express a choice, ask for help, request a break, or share an idea can create more opportunities to participate in everyday life.
Image courtesy of Handprints Therapies
What Can Parents and Caregivers Do?
Pay attention to patterns. Notice whether certain sounds, textures, environments, or transitions consistently seem comfortable or difficult for your child.
Prepare when you can. Talking about what to expect, using pictures or visual supports, or visiting a new environment ahead of time can make unfamiliar experiences more predictable.
Offer different ways to communicate. Gestures, pictures, signs, communication boards, and AAC devices can all provide children with additional ways to express themselves.
Allow participation to look different. A child may need a movement break, headphones, a quieter space, a shorter visit, or another way to participate in an activity.
Ask questions if you have concerns. If sensory, communication, movement, or behavioral differences are making everyday activities difficult, talk with your child’s pediatrician or reach out directly to a therapy provider. Families can simply call a therapy practice such as Handprints Therapies to complete an intake and schedule an evaluation to help determine what support may be appropriate.
Supporting participation doesn't mean expecting every child to experience an activity in the same way. It means understanding what helps an individual child communicate, engage, and take part in ways that work for them.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Every child’s needs are different. If sensory, communication, or participation challenges are affecting your child’s everyday life, Handprints Therapies is here to help. Our interdisciplinary team provides individualized ABA, Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy to support your child’s development and participation.
Contact us today to learn more: www.handprintstherapies.com | (720) 962-4555
About Handprints Therapies
Handprints Therapies is an interdisciplinary pediatric clinic serving families across the Denver metro area. Our team specializes in supporting children with autism, sensory processing challenges, and developmental delays through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. We partner closely with caregivers to build confidence, emotional regulation, and practical routines that carry over from the clinic to home.
Locations in Lakewood and Greenwood Village.
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