Why Some Hyperlexic Kids Don't Like Reading & What You Can Do To Help

A closer look at some reasons why your hyperlexic child hates reading and what you can do when you find yourself saying "my child doesn't like to read."

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We all know that hyperlexic kids can read. It's no secret. It's literally the definition of hyperlexia.

But why is it that some hyperlexic kids just don't like reading books at all? 

It's like they suddenly lose all interest in books and avoid reading altogether, which, as a parent, can be confusing and frustrating to see. Especially given how naturally these kids decode the written word. 

I know it might be hard to believe that someone who is gifted at reading could actually hate reading. But it is more common than you might think. This case study, for instance, has a quote where a hyperlexic individual describes themselves in this way: "I'm a good reader but I don't like to read and I don't read a lot."

So how or why does this happen exactly? 

Well, below we'll dig into the whole my hyperlexic child hates reading thing by discussing why some hyperlexic kids don't like reading and what you can do to help.

Why Some Hyperlexic Kids Don't Like Reading (Even Though They Know How to Read)

Usually when hyperlexic kids lose interest in books and reading, it comes down to one of three things. So here are the reasons why you might notice a decreased interest in reading in your hyperlexic child:

1. Lack of interest or motivation

Some hyperlexic kids might lose interest in books simply because they're not interested in the type of materials or topics being read. That is, they're just not interested in the books currently being offered to them. 

And it's awfully hard to be motivated to read something you're not interested in. I've talked more about interest and motivation in reading here (see under point 1).

In her thesis on comprehension in children with hyperlexia, Michele Lester points out that "interest in the reading material has been found to increase children's motivation for learning" and reading. So if your hyperlexic child seems to dislike reading at the moment, then it could be due to a lack of interest in the topic or that they're simply not motivated to read.

Your child might also have a lack of interest or motivation to read simply because they don't see the point of reading. So that might be something to keep in mind as well.

2. Comprehension issues

Another reason why your hyperlexic child might not like reading these days could be due to the comprehension issues that are common to hyperlexia.

In the book Drawing a Blank, Emily Iland writes that, "an obvious drop in [a hyperlexic child's] enthusiasm for reading and a noticeable decrease in the amount of time they spend reading" can indicate that there is a "real weakness in reading comprehension."

So, in this case, you might have to check whether or not comprehension issues could be impacting your child's interest in books and reading.

And another thing to consider is whether or not the books that you are choosing are simply too hard. Comprehension becomes a challenge especially when the books are too difficult. So while a hyperlexic child can decode or read the words on the page, it doesn't necessarily mean that they understand every single word that they read on that page.

3. Anxiety

Iland also highlights in her book Drawing a Blank that, "the [hyperlexic] learner understands that he or she has a problem, but doesn't know how to fix it. Not surprising, the result is often anxiety." 

In other words, when hyperlexic kids become aware of their comprehension issues, they often also develop anxiety about these struggles. And this anxiety, in turn, can make it difficult to want to read. I mean we all tend to avoid things that are difficult or stressful, right? The same goes for our kids.

Now, when you pair that anxiety with expressive language delays, you can see why the hyperlexic child might be unsure of how to ask for help. Needless to say, it's sometimes easier just to take the easy way out and just avoid reading altogether instead.

It's also possible that your child's anxiety about reading might have more to do with the fact that reading a book feels completely overwhelming to them. They might get anxious if there are large blocks of text, the book is long, and/or if the pages are visually busy and distracting. It could simply be that certain books are visually overstimulating for them. It's as if the pages cause sensory overload. And if your child has experienced overload due to reading, they might feel anxious about books in general, knowing that overload could happen yet again.

So...What You Can Do to Help When Your Hyperlexic Child no Longer Likes Reading

Now that you have a better understanding of the why behind the decreased interest in reading, let's talk about what you can do to help. 

I mean we don't want our hyperlexic child to hate reading considering their gift with decoding written language. Right?

Well, here are some tips and suggestions to try.

1. Provide different types and formats of books 

One of the easiest things you can do is simply swap the books your child is reading. Try something new and different. 

Instead of using chapter books or novels with large blocks of text that are overwhelming, try graphic novels, comics, and fact books instead. These types of books are often more appealing to hyperlexic kids anyway. Plus, books with speech bubbles can improve comprehension in a lot of ways.

You could also pick books that are less visually distracting. This suggestion is particularly helpful if you know that your child gets anxious and overwhelmed by busy colorful books.

If your child is younger and you want or need some fresh book suggestions, then try this list of the best books for hyperlexic kids. I compiled this list with the help of other parents of hyperlexic children so it's full of hyperlexic-kid approved books.

2. Use high interest books (aka pick books on topics that your child is interested in and prefers)

Remember, you want your child to be motivated to read. And one of the best ways to do that is to lean on their interests and passions. Something you've probably heard me say many, many times around here...

Besides, did you know that using high interest books also boosts reading comprehension? It does! So that's an added bonus.

Now remember those three reasons why some hyperlexic kids don't like reading? Well, using a high interest book will touch on all three of those reasons. They'll be more motivated to read high interest books. They'll have better background knowledge on the topic, which will, in turn, boost comprehension, because it's a topic they know a lot about. And when their comprehension is better, they won't be as anxious about reading that book, which means, they'll be less likely to avoid reading.

3. Pick books that are at or slightly below their comprehension level

Sure our kids can read anything you put before them, but that's not always the best strategy to take here. 

Instead of picking books at your child's level of decoding, pick books that are at or slightly below their comprehension level.

Why?

Well, it's important to build up your child's confidence and self-esteem surrounding the comprehension piece. In order to do that though, you'll want to pick something they're not going to get frustrated by or struggle with. Picking a book slightly below their comprehension level is one way to do that.

Building up that confidence and self-esteem can also reduce their anxiety about reading. And I think we can agree that we would want them to feel less anxious about reading and comprehension tasks, which leads me to...

4. Work on improving comprehension skills

Okay, I know this is a big task and not something that can be fixed overnight. But when you can improve comprehension, you will decrease anxiety and boost confidence. Two things that will definitely help motivate your hyperlexic child to read again. 

It's so important to prioritize comprehension skills with hyperlexic learners, no matter the age. I cannot emphasize this point enough. That's why you can find plenty of comprehension strategies, printables, and resources here.

5. Teach them how to ask for help

Your hyperlexic child might recognize that they have a problem. However, since hyperlexic kids find language tricky, expressing their concerns about these problems can often be quite difficult for them. 

Unsurprisingly, they can be unsure of how to ask for help. 

That's why it's important to teach hyperlexic kids how to ask for help and give them the words or phrases that they can actually use to advocate for themselves.

Here are some resources that might be helpful as you teach this skill:

• Asking for help social story

• Asking questions social story

• More social stories about asking for help 

• Asking for help social scripts

• Self advocacy scripts

• ABCs of problem solving steps

So to recap...

If your hyperlexic child hates reading and you find yourself saying "my child doesn't like to read," then it's quite possible that a lack of interest/motivation, comprehension issues, and/or anxiety might be at play. But thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to help, as I've outlined above.

Signs of Hyperlexia in Toddlers & Babies

Curious what hyperlexia in toddlers looks like? Here are some of the early traits you might notice when your child is a baby or toddler.

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When people hear or see the word hyperlexia for the first time, they inevitably have lots of questions. I mean it makes sense. Here's this word that you've never heard of before that somehow perfectly describes your child. Or should I say describes your child to a T? Letter puns and cliches for the win. You know I had to say it though, right?

Anyway, one of the most common topics I get asked about is hyperlexia in toddlers. Particularly what hyperlexia can look like when the child isn't reading quite yet. 

Remember, the early reading ability is the hallmark characteristic here and the key trait that distinguishes hyperlexia from autism. So that trait does have to be present in order to be considered hyperlexic.

However, there are plenty of other signs or traits that you might notice before your toddler starts reading that could indicate that they're hyperlexic. And that's what we'll be covering here.

Hyperlexia in Toddlers & Babies: Some of the Early Signs You Might Notice

Like I said, there are lots of hyperlexic traits that you might notice in the toddler or baby years. However, keep in mind that you might notice only a few of these signs or, on the flip side, you might notice them all. Just remember that your child doesn't need to check all of these boxes, so to speak. Instead, this list is meant to give you an idea of what you might expect to find during the toddler years.

1. Enjoys books and looks closely and carefully at them

Hyperlexic kids often pay more attention to the text than they do the pictures. They're also unlikely to mouth or chew on books like most babies do. My son even flipped through paperback books carefully, page by page, around 5 or 6 months of age, without ripping pages. He was so gentle with the pages and that wouldn't be the case with most babies. My guess is that he was studying the page numbers because that would be so him.

2. Long attention span for reading

Most toddlers would wander off to do their typical toddlerly things after a page or two of reading a book. However, when you have a hyperlexic toddler or baby, you can often read through a huge stack of books in one sitting.

3. First words might be letters, numbers, or shapes

Yes really, their first words might indeed be letters, numbers, or shapes. And, honestly, the large majority of a hyperlexic toddlers' vocabulary might continue to be letter or number related.

4. Intense fascination with letters, numbers, and print materials

You'll soon be immersed in 24/7 alphabet play if you have a hyperlexic toddler. Playing with letters all day brings them so much joy! They can happily fill their day reading ABC books, playing with letter toys, turning non-letter toys into letters, and so much more.

This stage can be quite intense for many families. And it might feel like your child won't play with anything other than letters. But it's important to remember that there's nothing wrong with that. I know you might even feel like things would be easier if you discouraged the letter play, but please don't do this. Even if other health professionals say to. Find yourself a new therapist if that's the case because it's clear that they don't truly understand hyperlexia if they're giving you this advice in the first place.

What you should do - instead of taking away their letters (again, please don't do this!) - is use their interests as a jumping off point to teach new skills. I promise that your child will eventually move on to new interests eventually.

5. Loves visual stimulation, especially if letters or words are involved

Seriously, if you put anything written in front of a hyperlexic child, they'll be all over it. There's a reason why something as simple as turning on closed captioning works so well. Remember, using the written word is the key to helping these kids with their language skills and even connecting with them.

6. Recites and/or identifies the alphabet early

Beginning to identify letters around 18 to 24 months is one of the big important hyperlexia milestones. This sign is also one of the first things many parents start to notice. Hyperlexic kids also pick up on other visual patterns early too, which leads me to the next point...

7. Counts early

And I'm not just talking about counting to ten here...Many hyperlexic kids are good with math and numbers too (it's called hypernumeracy) and can count to large numbers. They might even start skip counting early, something that other little kids might not do until quite a few years later.

8. Prefers alphabet toys

While most toddlers want to drive toy cars around or build towers with blocks, hyperlexic ones prefer alphabet toys. You'll also notice that they will build letters out of anything that isn't a letter like crayons, blocks, or LEGO Duplo. 

They'll likely also point out letters that they see around them, even in unusual or unexpected places (e.g., table legs that look like the letter H, a curled up piece of spaghetti that looks like the letter P, and so on).

9. Echolalic speech

Hyperlexia comes with a lot of language learning differences. For instance, as toddlers, they might have only a few words or even some spontaneous speech, but likely their speech will be very echolalic in nature. It's not surprising though given their gestalt processing of language. Anyway, they'll often repeat phrases from books or movies or even repeat back what you just said to them. 

10. Strong auditory memory and can easily memorize melodies or songs

You might notice your hyperlexic toddler humming tunes that they've only heard once or twice before. Or they might start singing the lyrics to a song that they just heard on the radio. These kids tend to pick up on musical patterns very quickly, much like they do with other patterns.

It's also not uncommon for parents to discover that their hyperlexic kids have perfect pitch. However, even if they don't have perfect pitch, you might notice a strong inclination towards music with your hyperlexic toddler. 

11. Need for sameness

This need for sameness might present as reading the same book over and over (Dr. Seuss' ABCs for us). Or watching the same movie over and over (the movie Bolt for us). It could also mean the same routines, the same foods, or the same clothes. Hyperlexic kids just love routines and predictability.

12. Begins to read without explicit instruction (precocious reading skills)

While most hyperlexic kids' advanced reading skills are apparent before age 5, some may start as young as 2. For instance, my son started just before his second birthday. But there are reports of some starting to read as young as 18 months or even around their first birthday! It's pretty incredible.

In the toddler years specifically, this reading ability might refer to reading a handful of words here or there. Or it can also refer to a toddler who is reading entire books on their own. Obviously, there will be a wide variety of abilities here. However, their reading skills will always be far above what is expected for their age. And considering most toddlers don't read, any type of reading is going to be above what's expected at this age. So keep that in mind.

Other Helpful Resources About Hyperlexia You'll Love

Hyperlexia in Toddlers: What's Next When You Think Your Child is Hyperlexia

How to Diagnose Developmental Hyperlexia in Young Children

Important Hyperlexia Milestones for Language Skills & Reading Skills

4-7-8 Breathing: A Simple Deep Breathing Technique

If you need a quick and easy breathing exercise, then try 4-7-8 breathing! It's a simple technique that you can do anywhere and anytime to reduce stress and anxiety.

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Every night before bed, my husband walks my boys through taking a few deep breaths to help settle them for sleep. He'll flip the light switch off and ask, "Ready to do our breathing?" 

I'm not entirely sure when or how this routine of slow deep breathing before bedtime began (nice alliteration or what?!), but I love it and the kids find it tremendously helpful. It's such a great way to help the kids slow down and ease into sleep. 

And trust me, there are nights where the kids are practically bouncing off the walls and they need a bit of guidance slowing down for the night. A bit of slow breathing often does the trick.

That's where this 4-7-8 breathing comes in. Deep and slow breathing techniques such as this one are especially great for promoting better sleep. Or at least, they help my boys get ready for sleep, which really is often half the battle, right?

So if you're looking to add a new breathing technique to your arsenal, give this one a try.

What is the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique?

The 4 7 8 breathing method is a simple exercise for working on deep breathing that was created by Dr. Andrew Weil. It is also known as relaxing breath. And, honestly, once you try it a few times, you'll quickly realize why it's often referred to as that.

The numbers in its name are the key to this relaxed deep breathing exercise. They'll basically be your guide through the full 4 7 8 breathing method. 

Those numbers just also happen to make deep breathing practice more appealing to our kids with hypernumeracy. As you might already know, it's all about using their interest in numbers with these kids!

How to Do the 4 7 8 Breathing Exercise

First, you'll want to find a comfortable place to sit and practice your breathing. You'll also want to exhale completely before going through the steps of this breathing exercise. Here's how it works:

• Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds

• Hold your breath for 7 seconds

• Exhale through the mouth audibly and forcefully for 8 seconds (making a whoosh sounds helps!)

Simply repeat the steps again for a total of 4 breath cycles.

Too Hard? Use These Tips When You Practice Breathing

At first, you might find it challenging to hold your breath for 7 seconds or exhale for 8. However, with a bit of regular practice, it will get easier to do and you can eventually work your way up to the 4-7-8 counts. In the meantime, you could try:

• Doing each step for as long as you feel comfortable

• Speeding it up (i.e., count faster or half each step), but still using the same ratio of 4-7-8 

• Using a video or visual aid to guide you through this breathing exercise. You could try this one or this one. Bonus hint: increase the playback speed if the pace is too hard for you to keep up with.

Every new breathing technique that you learn will take a little bit of practice. But, before you know it, you'll be able to do 4-7-8 breathing like a champ!

Other Deep Breathing Exercises & Resources You'll Love

Free Printable Social Story to Teach Deep Breathing 

Fall Leaf Deep Breathing Exercise

Calm Down Breathing Technique Cards

Common Signs of Sensory Overload You Should Know About

How do you know if you or your child are experiencing sensory overwhelm? Well, here are some common signs of sensory overload to watch for.

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It's one thing to know what sensory overload is. 

But it's a whole other ball game to know how to help, how to identify sensory triggers, and how to recognize the signs of overload. It's that last thing that we're going to focus on here though: the signs.

It's important to remember that an individual can have a wide variety of responses to incoming sensory information. Sometimes they process the information just fine. Sometimes they might have a mild reaction to that incoming sensory input. And other times, it leads to major sensory overload and/or even big, explosive meltdowns.

However, most of those big meltdowns can often be avoided if you know what to look for. 

You just need to be familiar with the signs of sensory overload and your child's sensory triggers. 

And once you know what signs to look for, you'll feel that much more confident helping and supporting your child. You'll also hopefully be able to recognize the signs of sensory overload before it leads to a full blown meltdown. Really, the goal here is to take a proactive approach instead of a reactive one.

Doing so can hopefully help you and your child avoid any major sensory processing reactions before they arise.

So let's dig in and take a closer look at some of the common signs that you might see when your child is experiencing sensory overload.

Signs of Sensory Overload

Please keep in mind that this list isn't exhaustive by any means. You may notice other sensory overload signs that aren't included in this list and that's okay. These are just some of the more common signs to watch out for.

• Covering eyes

• Covering ears

• Anxiety, stress, and/or an inability to relax

• Fear or panic

• Physical discomfort

• Drowsiness and/or fatigue

• Sleeplessness

• Reduced eye contact

• Muscle tension

• Changes in muscle tone

• Tremors

• Self-harming behaviors

• Increase in stimming

• Irritability

• Loss of balance and/or coordination

• Shutting down

• Meltdowns

• Stomachache, nausea, and/or vomit

• Crying

• Screaming, yelling, and/or angry outbursts

• Hiding

• Skin changes such as going pale or having flushed, sweaty, and/or clammy skin

• Restlessness and/or fidgeting

• Rapid breathing

• High levels of excitement and/or hyperactivity

• Difficulty focusing and concentrating

• Unable to finish tasks

• Refusing to participate in an activity

• Elopement (aka running away and/or a desire to escape without considering their own safety)

• Avoiding particular situations or places

• Glazed over eyes

• Distracted or disoriented

• Increase in chewing or mouthing objects

• Doesn't pay attention to surroundings

• Doesn't want to be touched

• Increase in sensitivity, usually to clothing or certain textures

• Social and emotional withdrawal

Your child may experience one, two, or even a small handful of these signs of sensory overload so be on the lookout for them!

The Best Sensory Room Ideas for Kids

Planning on creating a sensory room or space for your child? Check out this list of sensory room ideas!

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Now that you know what a sensory room is and what the benefits of a sensory room are, you're likely wondering what to actually put inside the room itself.

There are literally hundreds of different things that you could have in your sensory room. 

So let's take a look at some of the best sensory room ideas for kids. 

Think of this as your master list of ideas to pick and choose from when creating your own sensory space at home. 

You'll find lighting and flooring ideas for sensory rooms, as well as seating options, sensory gym equipment suggestions, and so much more!

Cool Ideas for Sensory Room Floors

First things first, let's start from the ground up with some flooring ideas for setting up your perfect home sensory environment.

Your child is likely going to do a lot of movement (crawling, jumping, rolling, etc.) right on the ground. So it's important to ensure that your child has a soft and cushiony surface to play on. Sensory rooms are supposed to be safe places to explore, not some danger trap causing injuries left, right, and center.

Here are some flooring suggestions to try:

• Interlocking foam tiles - Tiles like these are great to use on top of existing flooring surfaces and often come in a variety of colors. They're often more affordable too. You can even find ones that play into your child's interests like say an alphabet foam mat that's perfect for hyperlexic kids...You can even buy ones that offer different textures too.

• Padded gym mats - If you plan to have swings or climbing walls in your room, then I highly recommend having some thick padded gym mats. They can be quite expensive, but are well worth the investment. You can also use these mats for proprioceptive sensory input (squishing kids like a sandwich, for example). My kids frequently build forts with ours so there's that too.

• Large soft carpet or rug - Try adding a large fluffy rug, a faux fur carpet, or something similar to add to your space. Not only will they provide a soft surface to play, but they can add a pop of color. They can also be great for kids who are tactile sensory seekers.

• Gel floor tiles - While these are a fun flooring option for DIY sensory rooms, they are quite expensive. But they're really cool and might be exactly what you need.

• Sensory crash pad - I highly recommend having a crash mat or pad underneath climbing walls or swings or even just to crash into. But let's be honest, they're expensive. It's a good thing you can make your own crash pad pretty easily using household items though. Seriously, it's one of the most easy sensory room ideas you'll ever make!

Sensory Room Equipment & Furniture Ideas

What equipment and furniture you add to your sensory room will depend on the size of the space. 

A smaller sensory space might be able to fit only one or two items for this list, while a larger sensory space might be able to fit quite a few items. So pick what works best for your space.

Here are some of my favorite sensory room ideas when it comes to multi-sensory equipment and furniture: 

• Sensory swing - When it comes to sensory room ideas, sensory swings are at the top thing on my list. I mean there's a reason why I ended up making so many sensory swings myself. By the way, be sure to check out my DIY sensory swing guide.

• Mini trampoline - If your kid loves to jump, then I highly recommend getting a little trampoline for your sensory space. It's seriously one of the best things I've ever purchased for my boys.

• Sensory tunnel - Tunnels are great for providing sensory input, increasing body awareness, and developing gross motor skills. A tunnel is great to have in a sensory integration room.

• Body sock - A body sock is a great way to meet your child's daily sensory needs. And it's sure to get your kids giggling.

• Weighted blanket, vest, lap pad, or stuffed animal - I personally use a weighted blanket myself as it gives me the right pressure to help with my restless legs. But lots of kids can also benefit from the deep pressure of a weighted tool. You can also make DIY sensory toys and tools like these quite easily, if you'd like to go that route.

• Rocker board, wobble board, or balance board - They go by many names as you can tell. And while they all look slightly different, they do serve the same kind of purpose: working on balance. They all work great in a sensory room, no matter what you pick.

• Balance beam - And speaking of balance, why not try a balance beam as part of your space? Or, in a quick pinch, you could just use a pool noodle as a balance beam. How's that for a quick and easy sensory tool hack?

• Fidgets - Having a bin of fidgets is a must in a sensory room. You could try pop its, tangles, chewelry, spinners, or even Rubik's cubes, for instance. Each child likes different things so you might have to try a bunch of different options until you find ones that your child likes.

• Headphones or ear defenders - These are great to have on hand if your child is sensitive to noise or has auditory processing issues.

• Indoor play gym - If you have the space and want to splurge a little, having an indoor play gym with monkey bars and whatnot might be a great fit for you. It really depends on the sensory needs of your child though.

• Climbing wall - Again, if you have the space, a climbing wall can be an amazing addition to a sensory room. We personally built a Mario themed one.

• Balance stepping stones - Another great tool for working on balance and gross motor skills.

• Play tent - A great place for kids to retreat to when they need somewhere quiet to go.

• Balance cushion - These are great for working on balance. But they also make excellent seating options, which leads me to the next section: seating options!

Sensory Room Seating Options

Here are some suggestions for seating options for your sensory space:

• Bean bag chair - Great for kids who love to crash or need proprioceptive sensory input. They come in a variety of colors and fabrics. Plus, you can even find ones that double up as storage for plush toys, which might be perfect if you have a smaller sensory room space.

• Bilibo - I remember that these things were all the rage a number of years ago. They're the perfect seating option for kids who love to spin or need some help with balance.

• Wobble stool - I love these types of stools for wiggly kids! My son had one at school in kindergarten and grade one and they were so helpful for him. So if you have a sensory table of some kind in your room, then you might want to try a stool like this instead of a traditional chair to go with it.

• Inflatable sensory pod chair - These things look a bit like a little boat or canoe, but they're great for deep pressure.

Sensory Table Ideas

One of the most popular sensory room ideas is a sensory table. That is, a table where kids can explore different things via their senses. But here are two of the more popular suggestions when it comes to sensory tables:

• Sensory table - Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a table, per se. It might just be a large plastic bin or storage container to play in. Or it might be a full-fledged table. Use what's right for your space.

• Light table or light panel - We personally made our own light table and my boys absolutely adored it. It was played on daily for years and was the perfect addition to our sensory room.

Sensory Room Lighting Ideas

When it comes to sensory room lighting, you'll want to keep things soft and dim. Try to avoid harsh lights. Here are a few suggestions to try:

• Christmas lights or fairy lights - You don't have to buy fancy sensory lights for your room. You can use fairy lights or Christmas lights for simple lighting.

• LED Light Strips - Here's another inexpensive lighting suggestion that will definitely jazz up your space. Or if you're looking specifically for sensory bedroom ideas, then light strips are great for that too!

• Sensory Light Projector - Light projectors like this one are so cool! They're calming and soothing to look at. Many even come a built-in sound machine too. Again, if you're wanting to make a calming sensory bedroom space, a light projector is perfect for that.

• Waterfall Sensory Light Kit - If you're up for splurging for something really cool, fiber optic curtain lights are a neat idea.

• Bubble Tube - Bubble tubes are a really fun option for a sensory room. The combination of bubbles and lights is so soothing!

• Lava Lamp - Or go a bit more old school and try a lava lamp in your sensory space. They're mesmerizing to watch and perfect if your child loves visual sensory input.

• Fiber Optic Lamp - I used to love these things as a kid! They're so cool looking and would be an awesome addition to a sensory room.

Sensory Balls to Try in Your Sensory Room

I didn't think I would need a whole section dedicated to different types of balls, but yet here we are...

Balls are just one of those must-have ideas for a sensory room.

As you can see, there are so many fun options that would be great for a sensory room, including:

• Exercise ball - A large ball like this one can be used for all sorts of different things in a sensory room. You can use it to sit on. You can use it to roll across your child's body for deep pressure and sensory input. You can have your child push it through a sensory tunnel as a heavy work activity. If you need more ideas, try these activity suggestions here.

• Textured balls - These spiky textured balls are great for use in sensory rooms. Again, these can be used for a wide variety of purposes.

• Hopper balls - I remember buying two hopper balls for $10 each one super cold winter day (think -50 C with the wind chill) as a way for my kids to burn off energy. They were worth every penny! They're such a great way to get kids moving and provide sensory input. I highly recommend getting one for your sensory room. You can even get fun animal hopper toys.

• Peanut ball - You can use these balls in the same ways I mentioned with the exercise ball. They just have a slightly different shape. Try using it for working on balance, encouraging movement, and increasing core strength. Peanut balls are a great addition to a sensory integration room.

• Light up balls - When my husband used to go to conferences, he would often come home with a variety of swag. Often that swag would include light up balls or flashing spiky bouncy balls. Basically, the balls would light up once they hit the floor. My boys loooove them! They're great for visual sensory seekers.

• Puffer squishy balls - These types of balls are stretchy, squishy, bouncy, and tons of fun to play with. You can usually find these at the dollar store.

• Stress balls - These types of balls come in a variety of options. But they're great for helping kids regulate, building hand strength, and more!

• Ball pit with balls - Ball pits make for an awesome sensory room idea and you can actually get them for pretty cheap too.

Sensory Room Decor Ideas

You've got the right lighting, check. The right flooring, check. Some fidgets, equipment, and other items, check. Now it's time to think about the finishing touches for your sensory room. 

Give these sensory room ideas and decorations a try:

• Large pillows - Adding pillows to your sensory space is a great way to add a pop of color, offer up some extra sensory input, or create an inviting and calming corner for relaxing. For example, you could try fluffy ones for cuddling with or crashing into. Or you could try textured sequin ones that are great for tactile sensory seekers (aka they're good for stimming with).

• Sensory path stickers - One of the most popular sensory room ideas as of late are to use sensory path stickers or decals. They're a great way to personalize your room, but what's really awesome about them is that they encourage lots of movement too.

• Glow in the dark stars - Did you have some of these in your bedroom growing up? My brother did and I remember loving them! Anyway, they are perfecting for decorating your own sensory room too.

• Mirrors - Want to make your small sensory room space look bigger? Then try adding some mirrors! They make a great addition to any sensory room. We personally had some mirrors next to our light table which made from some really fun sensory play.

• Sensory boards or sensory walls - You can easily make your own like we did here. Or try one of these DIY sensory wall ideas. They're great for providing sensory input and working on fine motor skills, for instance.

• Vertical surfaces to write or play on - Think chalkboards or whiteboards. Both make for great sensory room ideas. Or if you don't want something specifically for writing on, you could try a magnet board or felt board as alternatives.

A List of Awesome Sensory Room Ideas for Kids

Phew, I know that was a lot! So here's a quick list of all the different sensory room ideas that were mentioned above. Obviously, this list isn't exhaustive. There are definitely lots of other ideas to consider as well like sound machines or essential oil diffusers, for instance.

Other Helpful Resources for Creating Your Own Sensory Space

What is a Sensory Room?

What are the Benefits of a Sensory Room?

How to Make a Sensory Room on a Budget