December kicks off one of the busiest times of the year. We are buying and wrapping gifts for multiple people, decorating the inside and outside of our home with holiday cheer, and entertaining many people, sometimes spontaneously, in our homes. There are a few simple ways we can start off this time of year with a plan and ensure that our shopping is done, the house is ready, and we have time left to truly enjoy the season. Making a list and checking it twice: Start off by creating a master "To Do" list for the month, including everything that needs to be done. Then break it down to a week-…
For most children, Halloween kicks off the start of their favorite two months of the year – the holidays! For "sensory" kids - those with anxiety disorder, sensory integration dysfunction, learning challenges, ADD/ADHD, obsessive/compulsive disorder, high-functioning autism, or other sensory challenges – this can be a time for year filled with uncomfortable experiences like changes in routines, lots of people visiting, and travel to unfamiliar places full of unfamiliar faces. As a professional home organizer and the parent of a sensory child and a typical child, I know the importance of …
Now that the cooler weather is here, this is the time of year we pack away our summer clothes and pull out our warmer, winter clothes. This is a great opportunity to go through your inventory of summer clothes as you pack them away and winter clothes as you pull them out. It can be an overwhelming chore but, if you take some time to go through everything, your closet will work much more efficiently in the months ahead! Getting the Summer Stuff Away Pull everything out from your closet and dresser and put out on your bed or floor area for sorting. Have a few labeled bins on hand – things …
One of the challenges of supporting a "sensory child" is having a clear idea of the current needs in your child's day-to-day experience. "Sensory" kids - those with anxiety disorder, learning challenges, ADD/ADHD, obsessive/compulsive disorder, autism, etc. - can be inconsistent in their behavior and challenges. As a professional home organizer and the parent of a sensory and a typical child, I think the process of prioritizing the current needs is a critical part of creating successful supports at home. Journaling to learn patterns and triggers: If you want to get a better idea of current …
With the loose routines, vacations, and downtime of summer more than a month behind us, it's time to get into back-to-school mode. By prioritizing what we can do to make our homes work as efficiently as possible, we can say goodbye to the mountians of shoes, backpacks, and unfinished homework and support our families throughout the busy fall season. As a professional organizer with a family, I know the importance of having systems in place at home to ease the stress of those hectic days and help keep everyone on track. Here are a few tips to help you get your home running smoothly. The …
The school year brings great daily structure and routines into the lives of our children. Most children do better with predictable schedules, especially for "sensory" kids. A "sensory" kid can be a lot of things, ranging from children with anxiety disorders, learning challenges, ADD/ADHD, obsessive/compulsive disorders, high-functioning autism, Asperger's syndrome, or other sensory challenges. As a professional home organizer and the parent of two (one sensory child and one typical), I know the value of routines, schedules, and visual aids in supporting all types of children. Creating some …
