SENSORY SOLUTIONS FOR TRAVELLING IN THE CAR!

I recently wrote about "Motion Sickness: A sensory Issue!" looking at sensory considerations and triggers when travelling in a car.   This  article is a follow-up to this article providing SENSORY solutions for the car! 

I mentioned in the original article that I had "attended" a webinar series by the world renown, Professor Winne Dunn on "Sensory Processing and the Impact on Everyday Life".  In this series, Professor Dunn made a comment that even though we may identify a "sensory problem", the solution may involve "non-sensory" approaches such as a cognitive/behavioral approach to manage new information.  As OTs, I think that we do this already as we look at the context of the "problem" and use a variety of strategies to help develop skills, make environmental changes or adapt an activity.  

Therefore considering the context of travelling in a car, a few precautions should be taken before choosing sensory solutions.  

PRECAUTIONS!

• SAFETY first! The safety of the driver and passengers must be the first consideration when looking at making any adjustments to travelling in the car.  Any solutions must NOT distract the driver, obstruct vision out of the vehicle, alter child restraints or seat belts.  
• LAWS and REGULATIONS! Check your state/territory/country laws and regulations about child safety in vehicles.  These may include the type of restraint your child uses and their seat position within the vehicle. 
• MEDICAL - Is your child's motion sickness significant enough to consider medical and pharmaceutical options? 

NON-SENSORY SOLUTIONS! 

• Provide a map so children can see the start and finish points of a journey.  Highlight the route as you travel.  This provides a way for your child to process distance and time with a cognitive approach.
• Break the journey up into increments (eg. 30 minute blocks).  For every time increment place a bead in a jar. Tell your children at the beginning of the journey how many beads will be in the jar at the end!
• Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
• Check the tire (tyre) pressure of the car tires (tyres).  This can affect vehicle handling and passenger comfort. 

SENSORY SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE  MOTION SICKNESS
Note: Not all of these suggestions will be possible or appropriate for every child.  Please consider your child and family's particular requirements.  

VISION: 

• If possible, have the child sit in the front seat looking out of the front window (check your laws and regulations). If this is not possible, have the child sit next to the window in the rear of the vehicle and look out at the horizon. 
• Refrain from reading, looking at tablets/screens, DVDs or gaming devices.
• Ask your child to close their eyes and sleep if possible.
• Provide sunglasses or a window shade (check to make sure driver's viability is not obscured) to protect from glare or excessive sunlight.

ORAL:

• Try "oral snacks" which promote jaw movement and stimulation of jaw muscles (eg. biting on a chewy pendant), chewing gum or crunchy food.
• Try salty, sweet, sour and spicy food options with a precaution to minimize the extent of these "snacks" as they may be counter-productive. 

Oral "snacks"!

​AUDITORY: 

• Consider musical options where your child is engaged in singing along.   This is preferable over a passive listening option.
• Consider the use of noise-cancelling headphones to remove excessive noise.  
• Consider the use of head-phones to provide your child with direct access to auditory input.  They may be able to self-regulate this by adjusting the volume and choose what they listen to. 
• Engage your children with "car games" such as these paper plate games  which require communication with others in the vehicle! 

PROPRIOCEPTION:

• Use a weighted lap blanket, heat pack or lap table.   The extra weight may provide a calming and relaxing  input for your child during travel.  Calming Moments supply some wonderfulweighted lap blankets and a weighted sensory snake! (Australian only)
• Provide a bag of fidget toys to squeeze, hold, manipulate and play with during the car journey. 
• Provide fresh air by opening the window if possible.
• Use child safety locks to prevent accidental opening of doors and windows during the journey (for those who fidget with controls).
• Provide a travelling neck cushion for your child to lean and provide comfort.
• Provide a soft toy or teddy to hug during the journey.
• Allow your child to remove their shoes and socks if necessary.
• Provide a sheepskin blanket (or other soothing texture) for your child to place their feet on or to hold.
• Provide a neoprene seat belt cover for your child to touch or rest their head.  This may help those children who dislike the feel of a seat belt next to their neck.  
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Weighted lap blanket

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Weighted Sensory Snake

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Kid's Chewy Pendant Feet

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Kid's Chewy Pendant Shark

THE ULTIMATE FIDGET

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WINOMO Squishy Mesh Balls Fidget Stress Toys Squishes Kids Fun Play Squeezy Gripper Ball (Random Colour)

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Fellhof Natural Sheepskin

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Nasis 2015 kid car rest pillow Seat Belt Cover Cushion Shoulder Harness in pink and blue AL8020

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VESTIBULAR:

• Take regular breaks with opportunities for movement during these breaks.  A park which provides opportunities for spinning, weight bearing (eg. monkey bars) and swinging would be beneficial.
• Dance or stretch arms and upper body during the car trip.

SMELL:

• Avoid strong smelling cleaning products, perfumes or moisturizers.
• Wind down the window for fresh air when appropriate.

What are your favourite sensory solutions for car trips? 

Disclosure:  The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Reviews and endorsements of products will only be made based on my expertise and personal opinion, and deemed worthy of such endorsement. This post contains affiliate links.