Sensory Smart Child Therapies

11/09/2025

In this webinar, Rebecca Brooks guides you through the key findings of our annual Adoption Barometer. Packed full of digestible data and statistics, this vital research enables us to make recommendations to the government and adoption sector.

10/09/2025

📚 The 13th September is Roald Dahl Day!📚

This is a day to celebrate the incredible imagination of Roald Dahl – one of the world’s best-loved storytellers. His books have entertained generations, but beyond the magic, mischief and marvellous adventures, they carry powerful lessons for children (and grown-ups too):

😍Courage and kindness win– from Matilda’s quiet strength to Charlie’s honesty, we’re reminded that it’s not power or wealth, but heart and resilience that make a true hero.

🤩It’s okay to be different – The BFG, Fantastic Mr Fox and so many other characters show that uniqueness is a gift, not a flaw.

😍The joy of imagination – Roald Dahl’s stories encourage children to dream big, think wildly and never lose their sense of wonder.

🤩Goodness matters– his tales often celebrate fairness, humility, and the triumph of good over greed or cruelty.

As Dahl himself once said: “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

Today is the perfect excuse to pick up a favourite story, share it with a child, or let your own imagination run wild.

Which Roald Dahl story is your favourite?

06/09/2025

September is Friendship Month

For many children, making friends is as natural as play. But for children with sensory processing challenges, building friendships can feel more complicated.

Bright lights, loud noises, unexpected touch, or overwhelming environments can all make social situations feel tricky.

The good news? With a little understanding and support you can help your child to thrive socially and form meaningful, lasting friendships.

Here are a few gentle tips to help-

Create calm spaces – Quiet corners or smaller groups can make socialising feel safer and more manageable.

Model inclusion – Encourage peers to be patient, kind, and open to differences. Celebrate what each child brings to the friendship.

Choose the right activities – Low-pressure games, sensory-friendly play, or shared hobbies help friendships grow naturally.

Practice social scripts – Role-playing greetings, sharing, or asking to join in can build confidence for real-life situations.

Encourage one-on-one connections – Friendships often blossom more easily in pairs than in larger groups. Play dates might be more challenging but can work in small numbers and in an environment you child feels comfortable in.

This Friendship Month, let’s remember: every child deserves to feel accepted, valued, and included. With compassion and creativity, we can help children with sensory needs not only make friends, but keep them.
Do share any tips that have worked for you.

05/09/2025

We will continue to push for better outcomes for our children and families. The impact of these reductions is now being felt by both families and providers alike. Forced to make unethical and dangerous decisions that will impact the lives of adopted and kinship children for years to come.

29/08/2025

27/08/2025

The school holidays are almost over so here are some tips help your child settle back into the school routine. Many children with sensory processing challenges need some addtional support and reassurance.

➡️ Talk to your child about their feelings and concerns regarding returning to school. Use visual aids like social stories or schedules to help them understand the routine. Be patient and understanding, and address any anxieties they may have about the transition.

➡️Reintroduce bedtime and morning routines a few days before school starts to help them adjust.

➡️Get uniforms ready, practice packing lunches, and discuss the day's schedule.

➡️ Most schools will do this but ensure you have established a "link person" someone that your child can identify as a trusted staff member they can approach if needed.

➡️Focus on routines and well-being and encourage cooperative behaviour with praise and rewards.

➡️Encourage independence and involve your child in the preparation process to foster a sense of control and confidence. Adjust your approach as needed and celebrate small victories.

By taking a proactive and supportive approach, you can help your SEN child successfully navigate the return to school and thrive in the new school year.

20/08/2025

It is the last couple of weeks of the school holidays and with the bank holiday week fast approaching you might be in need of some ideas.
There are a lot of activities and attractions in and around the South Bank.
Packed with kid-friendly attractions and featuring one of the largest pedestrianised sections of river embankment in central London, South Bank is one of the city's most popular areas for families!

After you've taken in the sights and the kids have had a run around in the Jubilee Gardensa dventure playground, there are several family-friendly places to eat out where kids can dine for free.
These free lunch offers are usually on the basis that a child eats for free with every accompanying adult that orders a sit-down meal.
You can find more information here

Looking for somewhere to eat out with the kids? Here's our round-up of South Bank's best family-friendly dining options.

13/08/2025

Happy Left Handers Day!

Are you left handed or is your child?
Today help your right handed friends, family and colleagues realise the impact of being left handed and ask them to do everything left-handed for the day!
For example, stir food in pans, fill & pour kettle, open tins, peel vegetables/fruit or eat by reversing the cutlery.

On the Left Handers Day website they have shared some important facts and information about why some people left handed.

No-one has come up with a definitive reason for WHY some people are left-handed, but about 13% of the population around the world are, and it is thought it might be genetic as it has been noted it can run in famillies.

Researchers have recently located a gene they believe makes it possible to have a left-handed child so if you have that gene, one or more of your children may be left-handed, whereas without it, you will only have right-handers.

The way the brain works is incredibly complex, but this simplified explanation will give you some understanding of where our left-hand dominance comes from. The brain is “cross-wired” so that the left hemisphere controls the right handed side of the body and vice-versa and hand dominance is connected with brain dominance on the opposite side.

Left handed people can be more creative!

This brain dominance makes left-handers more likely than right handers to be creative and visual thinkers. This is supported by higher percentages of left-handers than normal in certain jobs and professions – music and the arts, media in general.

Left-handers are also generally better at 3-dimensional perception and thinking, leading, for example, to more left-handed architects than normal. Left-handers are also usually pretty good at most ball sports and things involving hand-to-eye co-ordination.

The view that left-handers are clumsy and awkward is not down to their natural abilities, but being forced to use right-handed tools and machinery which is completely back-to-front for them.
So today let's celebrate being left handed!

07/08/2025

Our of our families is organising a London Bus tour. Please contact Sarah if you are interested and she will put you in touch with the family to book.

06/08/2025

Playday – the national day for play is today!
It is a celebration of children’s right to play, and a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.

Play is fundamental for children’s enjoyment of childhood, and vital for their health, well-being and development.

In light of government cuts to play services across the country, it is more crucial than ever that we unite to stand up for play.

Are you organising or attending an event? Do share below!

30/07/2025

Today is International Friendship Day!

Making and keeping friends can be tough for children with sensory processing challenges as loud unfamiliar spaces, or unexpected touch can make socialising overwhelming.
But with support, they can build meaningful connections.

Here are a few tips for parents:

🌱 Start small– One-on-one playdates in quiet, familiar settings work best.
🧩 Prep ahead – Talk through what might happen, using pictures or role play.
🛑 Respect limits – Let your child take sensory breaks when needed, even during play.
🤝 Model & guide – Gently coach them through greetings, turn-taking, and empathy.
💚 Celebrate effort – Focus on the small wins, not just the outcomes.

Friendships may look different — and that’s okay. What matters is connection, not convention.

23/07/2025

The Summer holidays have started and we know it can be challenge keeping your children entertained!
We have shared this blog by 'London with Littles' as it details some great ideas for days out in London for children with sensory processing challenges.

We would recommend that you book in advance for sensory events like Early Birds, Dawnosaurs, and museum access days and here are some other tips -
➡️Arrive early to maximise quiet-time benefits
➡️Bring sensory aids: ear defenders, fidget toys, visual guides
➡️Scope out quiet spaces ahead—many venues offer breakout rooms or low-sensory zones

Do share any ideas in the comments for days out you have enjoyed!

This guide provides information on those London attractions that regularly hold sessions for neurodivergent children and their families.