Start Here!

Support Your Child While Waiting for Therapy

Our Starter Guide is a self-guided, educational resources designed to help parents understand sensory patterns, explore practical strategies, and feel more confident at home. This guide includes four sections that can be explored in any order and at your own pace, based on what feels most helpful for your family.

This is not therapy and does not provide individualized recommendations. For licensed occupational therapy support, please see our Individualized Programs or Membership Packages.

Section 1

Roadmaps

Sensory roadmaps are designed to help visualize areas where your child may need support. The steps are not meant to be followed in a required order, but rather as a suggested place to begin.

Free downloadable roadmaps are provided as tools to use throughout this guide. Three common sensory response patterns are explored:

Sensory Seeking – patterns of movement, tactile, or auditory seeking
Sensory Sensitive – noticing strong reactions to sights, sounds, or textures
Sensory Avoidant – avoiding certain sensations to protect comfort

Each roadmap highlights five areas of support to help families begin understanding how to support their child.

Note: These roadmaps are educational tools and not individualized recommendations.

Section 2

Understanding Your Child's Sensory Patterns

A helpful first step is building awareness of your child’s sensory needs through observation and reflection.

In this section, families are encouraged to:

Complete the Sensory Questionnaire to reflect on behaviors
Use the At Home Observation Form to track challenges and strengths
Observe general patterns safely at home
Document behaviors over time rather than drawing conclusions

The goal is to identify patterns, not to label or diagnose.

Section 3

Strategies and Activities

This section introduces general, educational ideas families can explore at home to support regulation, participation, and daily routines.

These resources are meant to be explored safely and at your own pace. Every child is unique — some strategies may feel helpful, while others may not. Families are encouraged to observe their child’s responses and choose what feels supportive.

Resources:

Movement Break Tracker

First, Then Template

Sensory Seeking Menus

Sensory Sensitive Strategies

Sensory Avoidant Strategies

Section 4

Next Steps

As you move through the roadmaps and spend time observing your child, you may find that you want a little more support.

If and when you’re ready, additional educational resources are available through our membership, and individualized occupational therapy services may also be an option when available. All services are designed to meet families where they are and offer support beyond the starter guide.