You’re watching your child cover their ears in the grocery store. Or maybe they’re melting down after what seemed like a calm day at school. Or perhaps they’re seeking constant movement, touching everything, unable to settle.
You just want to understand. You want to help them feel comfortable in their body. You want to see the world through their eyes.
You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place.
What’s Really Happening: Understanding Sensory Processing
Your child isn’t misbehaving—they’re struggling. Their nervous system is processing the world differently, and what feels manageable to you might feel overwhelming to them. The hum of fluorescent lights, the tag in their shirt, the smell of the cafeteria—these aren’t small irritations. They can be genuinely distressing.
Sensory processing differences are a core part of how many autistic children and youth experience the world. Understanding these differences is one of the most powerful things you can do as a parent.
Why We Created This Free Sensory Toolkit
After working with hundreds of families in Philadelphia and Delaware counties, we kept hearing the same things:
- “I don’t know what triggers the meltdowns”
- “I feel like I’m always reacting instead of preventing”
- “I want practical strategies that actually work”
- “I need to understand what they’re experiencing”
So we created a comprehensive sensory toolkit that gives you exactly that—understanding, strategies, and tools you can start using today.
What’s Inside Your Free Sensory Toolkit
1. Sensory System Breakdown
A clear explanation of all eight sensory systems (yes, there are more than five!), including:
- Visual (sight)
- Auditory (hearing)
- Tactile (touch)
- Olfactory (smell)
- Gustatory (taste)
- Vestibular (balance and movement)
- Proprioceptive (body awareness)
- Interoceptive (internal body signals)
You’ll learn what each system does and how differences in processing can affect daily life.
2. Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoiding Guide
Not all children have the same sensory needs. Some seek input (crashing, spinning, touching), while others avoid it (covering ears, refusing certain textures). This guide helps you identify your child’s unique sensory profile.
3. Environmental Modification Checklist
Practical, room-by-room strategies to create sensory-friendly spaces at home, including:
- Lighting adjustments
- Sound management
- Texture considerations
- Organization for visual overwhelm
- Creating calm-down spaces
4. Sensory Strategy Cards
Quick-reference cards with specific strategies for different sensory challenges:
- Managing meltdowns during transitions
- Supporting sensory needs at mealtimes
- Preparing for community outings
- Bedtime routines for better sleep
- School day support
5. Sensory Activities List
Age-appropriate activities that support sensory regulation, from toddlers to young adults. These aren’t just “busy work”—they’re purposeful activities that help your child feel organized and regulated in their body.
6. Communication Visual Supports
Printable visuals to help your child communicate their sensory needs, because understanding what they’re experiencing starts with giving them a way to tell you.
How This Toolkit Is Different
This isn’t about “fixing” your child or making them “tolerate” uncomfortable sensations. This is about:
- Understanding their perspective: Seeing the world through their sensory experience
- Proactive support: Preventing overwhelm before it happens
- Respecting their needs: Accommodating differences rather than forcing compliance
- Building confidence: Helping them understand their own sensory system
- Family empowerment: Giving you tools to support your child effectively
This toolkit is grounded in our neuroaffirming, child-led approach to therapy—because your child deserves support that respects who they are.
Beyond the Toolkit: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Understanding sensory processing is just the beginning. At Committed to Kids ABA, we partner with families to provide comprehensive support that goes deeper than any toolkit can.
Our identity-affirming ABA services help children and youth ages 2-21 develop:
- Communication skills that work for their unique needs
- Sensory regulation strategies tailored to their profile
- Life skills that support independence
- Confidence and self-advocacy
We work with children with autism, IDD, and other behavioral needs in Philadelphia and Delaware counties—and we do it without forced compliance, without masking, and without compromising who your child is.
Ready to Get Started?
Download Your Free Sensory Toolkit
Simply enter your email and get instant access to all the resources, printables, and strategies. We’ll also send you weekly tips on supporting your child’s unique needs.
Want More Support?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need more than a toolkit can provide, we’re here. Call us to learn how our child-led, family-centered approach might be right for your family.
You can also:
- Read more about our approach to neuroaffirming ABA
- Contact us with questions
Additional Resources for Understanding Sensory Processing
Want to dive deeper? These trusted resources can help:
- STAR Institute for Sensory Processing – Research and education on sensory processing differences
- Understood.org Sensory Processing Guide – Comprehensive parent-friendly information
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) – Learning from autistic voices about sensory experiences
- The ASHA Leader on AAC and Communication – Supporting communication for children with sensory and communication differences
You’re Doing Great
We know you’re exhausted. We know you sometimes feel alone. We know you just want to help your child thrive.
This toolkit is our way of saying: we see you, we understand, and we’re here to support you.
Your child is not broken. They don’t need to be fixed. They need understanding, support, and tools that work for their unique nervous system. That’s exactly what this toolkit provides—and what our entire practice is built around.
Download your free toolkit today and take the first step toward understanding your child’s sensory world.
GET YOUR FREE SENSORY TOOLKIT →
About Committed to Kids ABA
We provide child-led, neuroaffirming, identity-affirming ABA therapy for children and youth ages 2-21 in Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Our approach centers on respect, partnership, and helping each child thrive as themselves—not who others think they should be. Learn more about our services or contact us to discuss how we can support your family.
Have questions about sensory processing or our approach? Drop a comment below or reach out—we’d love to hear from you.