Ever thought why so many people say ‘there never used to be so many people with sensory issues, maybe they are just making it up and dramatic now’ it really annoys me.
We always used to wonder why my little man is easier whilst away on our family holidays in Romania. Reduced meltdowns, slightly more sociable and just a happier little boy running around free and then it clicked Romanian villages are similar to how England used to be lots of years ago when nobody had bad sensory issues so people say I think personally they were just managed better without people realising it.
We’ve been doing so well with the sensory diet that our lovely OT’s have helped us with, exercises 3-4 times a day for 20-30minutes. Exercises like sit ups, press ups, crab walking, exercises with the gym ball, and pull ups on the chin up bar and many more all heavy work. Running around never calms the little man down but these things do.
So children in Romania in the villages do chores helping out there families, filling up water buckets, feeding animals, picking fruit off trees, stacking up logs etc. all heavy work. In their free time they are riding bikes, climbing trees, playing in the river again all heavy work.
All these things are sensory diet exercises which could be the answer to why so many children struggle so much more with sensory issues in western countries and compared to years ago that life is busier, Xboxes, ipads and phone are very important to us all now. I’m not saying all issues go with doing the sensory diet but for us it’s been such a positive experience and has calmed down and given us a few strategies to cope better.
Going for runs is not going to calm down your sensory children and neither is doing the exercises once per day, it really is a big commitment but one we feel is benefiting our family greatly.
Life in Romania is quieter less cars, less stimulation, less additives in food, and more exercise and an all round healthier lifestyle I really love it over there unfortunately western life is creeping in more and more each time I go. These are all just my opinions but we are using the best of both worlds for us, trying to eat better and be more active, whilst using the best of the sensory toys/products available here too massagers, water beads, swings, rainbow lights, and Senseez cushions to name just a few. To try our very best that sensory issues aren’t ruling our life like they have done in the past.
