Seek places that are accommodating your child’s sensory processing level

When trying to accommodate children with SPD, home might be the place that feels the most comfortable. You can provide the accommodations they need and give them time and space to go through the motions of balancing their sensory sensitivity. 

When traveling, the best way to reproduce the same environment is to target places that offer those accommodations. Again, GoWhee is making it easy to find those places with amenities thanks to the “sensory sensitive filter”.

Kid-friendly places with special certifications/attributions. For instance, museums and other locations with the “certified autism friendly” mention, will offer a certain amount of amenities, and guarantee a team of staff trained into accommodating children with SPD and ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

Special amenities onsite such as a sensory packs like this with necessities like noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a cuddly toy for comfort, an emotion chart, a scent cube etc..

Other family-friendly places may include a sensory map or at least a sensory preparation kit for families, on their website, to help plan the visit while knowing where triggering attractions are, and by helping children know ahead of time what to expect. 

If your child has sensory avoidance and is triggered by large crowds, you may also inquire about “autism-friendly days” or “Low sensory days”. These days hours or days, are usually specially dedicated to children with SPD and limit crowds, lights, and other triggers while allowing children to enjoy all the attractions. 

Finally, if your child is a sensory seeker, know that many playgrounds worldwide have now included sensory walks, or sensory walls, in their structures. Those are the perfect pit stops to load up on sensory experiences during long road trips.