Sensory Smart Child Therapies

31/12/2025

Wishing all our clients, staff and everyone who works alongside us delivering our important work supporting children and their families a very happy 2026.

24/12/2025

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the children, families, and professionals we’ve had the privilege of working with this year.
We know that Christmas can be a joyful time, but it can also be overwhelming for some children and families. Please remember that there is no “right” way to do Christmas – it’s okay to do what feels calm, comfortable, and right for your child.

We wish you a Christmas filled with kindness, understanding, and moments that feel safe and supportive, however you choose to celebrate. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.

✨ Wishing you a gentle, joyful Christmas ✨
From all of us at Sensory Smart Child Therapies

20/12/2025

Wishing all our clients and staff a Merry Christmas! We will be closed for the Christmas break on the following dates:

17/12/2025

🎅 Visiting Santa can be scary!

For many children, a visit to Santa is fun and exciting. But for some children, including those with sensory processing challenges, this experience can feel overwhelming or even frightening.

This can be due to loud voices in busy, crowded environments with strong smells (costumes, perfumes, decorations) and unfamiliar textures.

Add these factors together and this can trigger stress, shutdowns, or meltdowns.
For some children it is scary because they do not know what Santa will say or do or the pressure of feeling rushed for a photo can create more anxiety!

Children who need predictability may feel unsafe when they cannot control what is happening. The large white beard, big red hat, along with glasses and a deep voice can feel threatening to a young child.

Some children struggle to interpret faces and disguises can feel confusing or frightening. Add to this being told to smile, being asked what they want for Christmas and the feeling they are being watched can increase anxiety, especially for children with communication or social challenges.

Let Santa be an option and if you are visiting a grotto let your child observe from a distance and make it clear it is ok if they do not want to engage at all and do not force physical contact.

An alternative would be storybooks about Santa; a film or role play with a trusted adult. Or use this method as an introduction. This helps children process the idea before encountering it.
A visit to Santa does not have to be the focus for Christmas instead how about a special Christmas box, for older children writing a letter or card instead of a visit. Or a quiet family ritual with soft lights, gentle music, a hot chocolate, and some sensory-friendly activities.

Magic comes from connection, not costumes.

Do share any ideas you have used which have made the Santa experience easier for your child.

15/12/2025

12/12/2025

Happy Friday!

10/12/2025

We will be wearing our Christmas jumpers tomorrow in support of Save the Children.

Please visit our Just Giving page to donate:
https://bit.ly/4aIsSaV

10/12/2025

🎄 For many families, Christmas is full of excitement.
For children with sensory sensitivities, it can feel overwhelming, unpredictable and exhausting.

Bright lights.
Loud music.
Crowded shops.
Different routines.
New smells, textures, expectations and social demands.

What looks like excitement on the outside can feel like sensory overload on the inside.

So we often remind families that:
💛 Meltdowns are communication
💛 Avoidance is protection
💛 Withdrawal is often regulation, not rudeness

Children aren’t being “difficult” they’re trying to cope in an environment that may simply be too much.

Here are a few gentle ways to support sensory needs at Christmas:
✨ Build in quiet breaks
✨ Reduce pressure around socialising
✨ Offer predictable routines where possible
✨ Let children opt out without guilt
✨ Keep expectations flexible, not fixed

A calm Christmas means creating safety, understanding and space to regulate.

And sometimes, the most magical gift you can give a child isn’t more stimulation it’s permission to step away and breathe.

06/12/2025

Please take a moment to listen and to share! This campaign continues and continues to need all our support!

03/12/2025

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a United Nations-led day of recognition which takes place every year on 3 December.

It promotes the rights of people with disabilities in all areas of society. It aims to increase the awareness and wellbeing of disabled people in all aspects of their life.

It acts as a reminder for us all to combat the discrimination many disabled people still face.

Today, we join the global community in raising awareness, promoting understanding, and celebrating the strengths of children with sensory processing challenges and other neurodiverse needs.

For many children, the world can feel overwhelming. For some it is too bright, too loud, too fast, or too unpredictable. Sensory processing differences aren’t always visible, but they can deeply affect how a child experiences daily life, learns, plays, and connects with others.

On this important day, we want to highlight a few key truths:

✨ Neurodiversity is not a limitation, it’s a different way of being.
Children with sensory challenges, autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and other neurodiverse profiles bring creativity, curiosity, and unique perspectives to the world.

🎧 Sensory needs are real and deserve understanding.
A child who covers their ears, avoids certain textures, seeks movement, or becomes overwhelmed in busy spaces isn’t “difficult”, their nervous system is simply processing the world differently.
With the right support, they can thrive.

🤝 Small adjustments make a big difference.
Whether at home, school, or in the community, simple accommodations, for example quiet spaces, movement breaks, sensory-friendly activities, visual supports all help children feel safe and regulated.

💬 Early support is powerful.
Therapy that focuses on sensory integration, emotional regulation, and building confidence can help children navigate their world with greater ease and joy.

Every child deserves to be seen, valued and understood. On this day, we stand alongside families, educators, therapists, and caregivers working to create environments where neurodiverse children can flourish, not despite their differences, but with them.

🌈Today is a reminder that inclusion isn’t just about accessibility, it’s about acceptance, empathy and celebrating the strengths in every child.
To every parent supporting a child with sensory challenges:
You’re doing an incredible job.

And to every child navigating the world with their own sensory map, we see you, and we celebrate you.

01/12/2025

🎄It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Sensory Smart! 🎄
Some of our staff put their creativity to the test and enjoyed a wreath making evening.

28/11/2025

Saturday speech therapy slots now available!

We’re excited to share that we have Saturday openings with one of our speech and language therapists - perfect for busy families who need weekend options!

⭐ Speech & Language Therapy
From communication delays to language development, we’re here to help your child grow their skills in a fun, supportive environment.

⭐Feeding Therapy (SOS Approach to Feeding)
Whether you’re navigating picky eating, oral-motor challenges, or mealtime stress, our feeding sessions are designed to support safe exploration of food.

Saturday spots fill quickly — contact us to reserve your slot!

https://www.thesensorysmartchild.com/contact-us/