29/05/2025
The Sensory Struggle Is Real (Even for Adults)
I wear my PJs inside out every single night. Wearing wool makes me lose my bananas. Things have to be super comfy, quiet, and the lighting needs to be calm so I can stop focusing on how things feel and actually get on with things. It’s exhausting—and that’s me as an adult who can control most of my environment.
Just imagine what it’s like for a young child who can’t control anything. 😔
When Kids Can’t Explain What’s Wrong
Being a young child who struggles to articulate what’s bothering them can be incredibly frustrating—for them and for everyone around them.
One of my boys used to need his shoes and socks to feel just right. The problem? Sock seams. If they weren’t perfectly aligned, he’d rip off whatever we’d managed to get on him and have a full meltdown. Add a couple of other kids into the mix, and mornings became total chaos—especially since time blindness makes getting anywhere on time nearly impossible.
Sensory Issues Are Often Misunderstood
Sometimes, sensory issues in children are mistaken for “bad behaviour.”
The yelling starts, the child shuts down—or explodes—and you find yourself in a full-blown battle no one asked for. It’s distressing for everyone.
What You Can Do When Your Child Is Sensory
Here are a few things that have helped in our household:
🧦 Choose Seamless, Tag-Free Clothes
Soft, stretchy, comfy clothes can make a huge difference.
🗣️ Validate Their Experience
Even if you don’t understand it, saying, “I know that feels horrible for you” helps them feel seen and safe.
🎧 Create a Calming Environment
Dim lights, minimal noise, and gentle transitions can help reduce sensory overload, especially during busy times like mornings.
👟 Have a Safe Outfit Ready
If they need the same hoodie and joggers again, that’s okay. Comfort matters more than variety.
⏳ Build in Extra Time
Slow mornings are smoother mornings. If you can, create buffer time—even if it’s just five extra minutes.
💬 Teach Them the Words
Help them label what feels “scratchy,” “tight,” “noisy,” or “too much.”
Words = power and peace.
❤️ Remember: It’s Not Bad Behaviour
It’s their nervous system in distress, doing its best to cope.
School Makes It Harder—Here’s Why
A System That Wasn’t Designed for Neurodivergent Kids
Sadly, when our children start primary school, things often get harder:
More people. More noise. More shouting. Brighter lights. Itchy uniforms.
And then there’s the biggest ask of all—sitting still to learn.
For an ADHD child, that’s like asking someone to fly without wings.
Misunderstood and Overstimulated
They get told off. They get labelled. Their behaviour becomes a focus before their needs are ever understood. And eventually, the conversation about “getting a diagnosis” begins.
A Surge in Medication Use
Between 2013 and 2023, stimulant prescriptions for children in Australia increased by 276%, according to the RACGP. That’s a huge rise.
What the Research Is (and Isn’t) Telling Us
I’ve been diving into the research on stimulant medication for children. And I’ll be honest—it’s worrying. This trend only really took off in 2005. That’s not long enough to fully understand the long-term effects.
One concern that keeps cropping up? The impact on the heart. Many children are on stimulant medication seven days a week, with no breaks, and also take part in high-intensity exercise. That combination can stress the cardiovascular system—and we need more research, more conversation, and more care.
Stimulants, commonly used to treat ADHD, can cause a range of side effects, including decreased appetite, weight loss, sleep problems, and mood changes. Other potential side effects include headaches, stomachaches, and increased blood pressure or heart rate.
Common Side Effects:
Appetite and Weight: Reduced appetite and potential weight loss are among the most frequently reported side effects.
Sleep: Insomnia and other sleep difficulties are common, particularly in children.
Mood: Increased anxiety, irritability, and moodiness can occur.
Gastrointestinal: Stomachaches, nausea, and vomiting are possible.
Headaches: Headaches are also a frequent side effect.
Physical: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and potentially tics (sudden, involuntary movements) are possible.
Less Common, but Serious:
Heart Problems:
While rare, some studies suggest a slightly increased risk of heart problems, like increased blood pressure, with stimulant use.
Growth:
In some cases, stimulants may slightly slow down growth in children, though this effect is often temporary.
Rebound Effects:
A sudden return or worsening of ADHD symptoms as the medication wears off is another potential issue.
Worrying right!
There Are Natural Options
If you’d like to support your child’s ADHD symptoms in a natural way—without the side effects listed above—we’re here for you.
At Super Me, we use trusted natural ingredients, including:
🟡 Saffron
Clinically trialled against Ritalin and Concerta, and shown to be just as effective in managing ADHD symptoms in children.
🌿 Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
A powerful herb traditionally used to support focus, memory, and calm in the nervous system.
We’re just a message away.
✅ No shortages
✅ No expensive medical appointments
✅ Just real support from people who get it
Let’s talk about what could work for your family 💬
