Big Dreamers ABA

07/28/2025

🌞 Summer Sensory Play Ideas 🌞

💧 Water Play

Fill a bin or small pool with water, cups, and scoops for pouring.

Add sponges, toy fish, or water beads for extra textures.

Try running through sprinklers or using a spray bottle for gentle cooling.

🌿 Nature Exploration

Take a nature walk to collect leaves, pinecones, and rocks.

Make a “sensory treasure box” to explore at home.

Try a scavenger hunt with photos of things to find.

🍦 Cool Treats for Oral Sensory Input

Make homemade popsicles with fruit puree.

Offer frozen grapes (if safe) or crunchy veggie sticks.

Try a variety of temperatures and textures.

🧴 Messy Play

Create taste-safe “sand” with flour and oil.

Make cloud dough or kinetic sand outside.

Paint with shaving cream on a plastic table.

🌈 Sensory Obstacle Course

Set up stations: jump on a mini trampoline, crawl through a tunnel, balance on a beam.

Use chalk to draw shapes to step and hop on.

Time each run for fun movement and body awareness.

🫧 Bubble Play

Blow big and small bubbles to watch and pop.

Use a bubble machine for continuous fun.

Try popping bubbles with different parts of the body—hands, feet, elbows!

🎨 Sidewalk Chalk Art

Draw lines to follow or hop along.

Make large shapes to color in for proprioceptive input.

Spray with water to see how it changes.

💙 Tip: Always watch for signs of sensory overload, and keep calming tools nearby (headphones, a comfort object, or a shaded quiet area).

07/25/2025

🌞 Simple Summer Routine Ideas for Neurodivergent Kids 🌞

✅ 1. Start with a Visual Schedule
Use pictures or icons to outline daily activities like meals, playtime, therapy, and rest. Visuals help children know what to expect and reduce anxiety.

✅ 2. Keep Wake-Up and Bedtime Consistent
Even if the rest of the day is more relaxed, predictable sleep and wake times support emotional regulation.

✅ 3. Include Movement Breaks
Plan times for outdoor play, swimming, or a sensory path to get energy out and support focus later.

✅ 4. Build in Calming Time
Create daily quiet times for reading, puzzles, or sensory activities that help your child reset.

✅ 5. Offer Choices
Let your child pick between activities—like which park to visit or what snack to have—to increase their sense of control.

✅ 6. Prepare for Transitions
Use countdown timers, verbal warnings, or a transition object to help shift from one activity to the next.

✅ 7. Plan Special Summer Rituals
Weekly ice cream outings, evening walks, or family game nights create memories and give children something predictable to look forward to.

💙 Remember: Summer can feel unstructured, but even small routines create security and confidence.

07/18/2025

07/14/2025

🥦 Supporting Picky Eating in Children with Autism 🥦

Picky eating is common among autistic children. Sensory sensitivities to taste, texture, color, or smell can make mealtimes challenging. Here are a few gentle strategies to help:

✅ 1. Respect Sensory Preferences

Some children prefer crunchy over soft, or bland over strong flavors.

Present preferred and new foods together without pressure.

✅ 2. Build Predictability

Serve meals at the same time and place each day.

Use a visual menu or schedule to show what’s coming.

✅ 3. Offer Small, Manageable Portions

Even one bite-sized piece of a new food on the plate is exposure.

Avoid overwhelming portions.

✅ 4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Praise trying or even tolerating a new food near them.

Celebrate small wins without bribes.

✅ 5. Keep Mealtimes Low Pressure

Avoid insisting children clean their plates.

Offer choices to build a sense of control.

✅ 6. Explore Food Play

Touching, smelling, or playing with food (like making faces with veggies) can reduce anxiety.

Let kids help with food prep to build familiarity.

✅ 7. Work with Professionals

If picky eating limits nutrition or causes distress, consider support from an occupational therapist or feeding specialist.

💙 Remember: Eating challenges are real and valid. Patience, consistency, and understanding make a big difference.

07/10/2025

🌟 Motivation Makes All the Difference! 🌟

At Big Dreamers ABA, we know that every child is motivated by something special. Whether it’s a favorite toy, a song, a high-five, or simply hearing “I’m proud of you,” the right motivator can turn challenges into victories.

✨ We’d love to hear from you!
What motivates your child most? Share in the comments—your ideas might inspire another family. 💛

Together, we can discover what lights up each child’s confidence and joy.

07/07/2025

💛 Every Feeling Matters. 💛

Neurodivergent children experience the world in beautifully unique ways. Sometimes that means big feelings—joy, frustration, excitement, overwhelm—all at once.

At Big Dreamers ABA, we’re here to offer compassionate emotional support every step of the way. From creating safe spaces to teaching coping tools, we help children feel understood, valued, and empowered.

Together, we can build confidence and resilience—one small moment at a time. 🌈

07/02/2025

🌟 Different, Not Less. 🌟

At Big Dreamers ABA, we believe every child brings their own unique strengths, perspectives, and gifts to the world. Being different is something to celebrate—not something to “fix.”

This 4th of July and every day, let’s honor the individuality of children with autism and support them in ways that help them thrive. 💙

06/09/2025

Release the Comparison
There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for growth. Your child is writing their own story — and it’s not meant to be compared. Embrace the unique beauty in their pace. 💫