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Foster Village Northeast KS is launching Project SOOTHe (Sensory Opportunities Offering Therapeutic Help) to support caregivers in understanding and meeting the sensory processing needs of youth in their care.

Everyone has sensory processing needs and preferences. Soft, cozy fabrics. Tight hugs. Low-light rooms. Fresh smells.

Sensory processing is how our nervous system takes in information from our senses and tells our body how to respond. For example, when we hear a loud noise or bump into someone, our brain figures out what that means and how we should react. 

Sensory processing is how our nervous system takes in information ... and tells our body how to respond. 

For children who have experienced trauma, their sensory processing needs might be more extreme. Their brains have been in a state of survival and they may respond atypically to sensory stimuli. This is known as Sensory Processing Disorder (or SPD) or referred to as sensory sensitivities. 

If a child’s sensory needs aren’t met, you as a caregiver may see some struggles with emotional regulation, transitions, social skills, sensitivities to light/smells/sounds, and a plethora of other sensory-related behaviors. 

If a child’s sensory needs aren’t met, you as a caregiver may see some struggles.

These behaviors may appear inappropriate or troublesome, but are often responses to sensory discomfort or overload. This might look like:

• Hitting, kicking or pushing others, if they are sensitive to touch.
• Covering their ears or screaming in loud environments.
• Removing clothes in public that feel itchy, tight or even painful.
• Chewing on non-food items, like pencils or shirt collars.
• Frequent meltdowns during transitions or unstructured times.

The good news is that meeting the unique sensory needs of your child can make all the difference.

Meeting the unique sensory needs of your child can make all the difference.

When caregivers learn to recognize and understand a child’s signals, the caregiver can respond to that need in a way that has a big impact on the child’s behavior and felt sense of safety and love. 

Introducing…Project SOOTHe

Our Project SOOTHe Coordinator will be on standby to talk to families who receive a Welcome Pack from Foster Village to help determine what sensory tool(s) might best help their child. A Project SOOTHe request form is also available on our website. 

How Project SOOTHe can help:

1. We provide sensory objects, such as weighted blankets, therapeutic swings, sensory toys, sound machines, and other sensory-rich items that can help meet a child’s sensory needs and calm their nervous system.
    
2. Our Project SOOTHe Coordinator can help you better understand your child’s sensory needs and provide tips to help address those needs at home, school and in the community.

Ultimately, our goal is to help caregivers get to know the unique needs of each child so they can parent them as individuals and manage big behaviors with confidence. 

Have questions? Reach out to our Caregiver Support Coordinator at kristen@fostervillagenortheastks.org. 

➡️ Meeting your child's sensory needs can be hard, but Project SOOTHe has your back. Fill out a request form here.