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October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month, and we’re raising awareness of the ways in which sensory struggles are common for children in foster care, and how trauma can change the way their brains process the world around them.

Sensory processing is the way our brains take in and organize information both inside and outside our bodies. Things like sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, balance, and movement.

For most people, this happens automatically. But for children who have experienced trauma, the brain may interpret these signals differently. Everyday sounds may feel overwhelming. Or they might be distressed by bright lights or certain textures. They may seek movement or pressure to feel calm.

“When kids’ sensory needs aren’t met, it can make everything feel harder,” says Kristen Gillaspie, Family Wellness and Enrichment Coordinator at Foster Village Northeast KS. “Even if a child is physically safe in a home, that doesn’t mean they feel safe. Meeting sensory needs creates a sense of felt safety. And that helps them thrive.”

Even if a child is physically safe in a home, that doesn’t mean they feel safe. Meeting sensory needs creates a sense of felt safety. And that helps them thrive.

With the right tools and strategies, caregivers can help children feel safe and supported. Through her work with Foster Village Northeast KS, Kristen is walking alongside caregivers through two vital sensory support programs: Project SOOTHe and the YES Scholarship.

Kristen's Background

Kristen’s journey began in 2020, when she became a foster mom to two young boys. What started as a short-term placement turned into forever when she and her husband Michael adopted the boys in November 2023. They also welcomed a biological son soon after. 

“I’m parenting kids with a trauma background,” Kristen shares. “Even with the other parents I’ve talked to so far, I can relate so much when they say their kid never stops moving or talking or making noise. It’s helpful for building compassion and empathy and everyday problem-solving.”

She also brings professional skills that make her role a strong fit. She has a degree in athletic training, and went on to work in an alternative elementary school, where she encountered the behavior and intervention side of the sensory world. “Bringing both the physical and emotional together makes this a good fit for meeting the sensory needs of families,” says Kristen.

Project SOOTHe

Kristen runs Project SOOTHe (Sensory Opportunities Offering Therapeutic Help), which recently launched and provides both practical tools and guidance for caregivers looking to support the sensory input needs of their kids. 

Tools include sensory objects, like weighted blankets, swings, and sound machines. The program makes it possible for families to access what they need without the heavy financial burden. "A lot of sensory tools can get expensive,” says Kristen. “Project SOOTHe is a great and easy way to help out.”

Kristen also offers one-on-one sensory consultations to help families identify the right strategies for meeting the sensory needs of their children.

Caregivers can get connected to Project SOOTHe through a flyer in the Welcome Packs, speaking with a staff member at Caregiver Nights Out, or by submitting a form to request support. 

YES Scholarship

In addition to soothing techniques, kids with sensory disorders often need outlets for physical activity, too. That’s where the Youth Extracurricular Scholarship (YES) comes in. 

Thanks to renewed funding from LiveWell Douglas County, the scholarship helps cover the cost of extracurricular activities like karate, swimming, gymnastics, and other movement-based programs for kids in foster care.

“Movement is one of the best ways to support kids’ sensory needs,” Kristen says. “Activities that use big muscle groups help meet proprioceptive and vestibular needs. They’re fun, but they’re also really therapeutic.”

The YES Scholarship is available to children in foster, kinship, or adoptive homes connected to Douglas County. Families can apply online.

As Kristen reminds us, “A lot of things are out of a foster parent’s control. But little steps like offering a weighted blanket or taking gymnastics can make a world of difference.”

A lot of things are out of a foster parent’s control. But little steps can make a world of difference.

Resources for Caregivers

Resources and Education

• The OT Toolbox - Occupational Therapy Activities and Resources
• Sensory Processing for Parents - Resources and Information on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory Tools

• Fun & Function - Sensory Toys & Products for Kids
• ARK Therapeutic - Makers of Innovative Special Needs Products & Sensory Therapy Tools

Instagram

• Courtney English - Pediatric Occupational Therapist (@courtneyenglish.ot)
• Mindful Play OT - Pediatric Occupational Therapist (@mindfulplay.ot)

Get Involved

Donate needed sensory tools through our Amazon Wish List, or give financially to sustain these programs year-round.