Adventures with Autism: Sensory Sand

Autism story for the week:

Traveling with children on the autism spectrum is always a step towards the unknown. You have no idea how they are going to react being out of their element, and so you end up bringing everything but the kitchen sink on the trip to keep them happy. Nathan's suitcase is always the largest and most full.Do we have their pillow, blanket, books, toys, toothbrush, iPad, medicine?So, it is always a delight to find something they enjoy on a trip. This time it was sand. Yes, sand as in beach and waves and sand. He loved the sand!Kiddos on the autism spectrum often have sensory issues and are either over-reactive or under-reactive to their senses. Nathan found great joy in playing with the sand on the beach during our vacation. He is sensory-seeking. He loved running his fingers through it over and over and touching and feeling the sand as it ran through his fingers in different ways.Yes, he did throw sand all over everything, but I was glad he was happy and enjoying the beach in his own way.And I was happy that he was happy!