When I was in high school I can remember seeing “special” kids in our assemblies with big brown headphones on that looked as if they came from the reading room. I didn’t understand what they were for until I had my own little sensory cutie. Headphones can be a huge help in reducing noise and sensory triggers. Even a few years ago, the headphones available were either super tiny or big, ugly and awkward. If I was going to put my daughter in a pair of those, I might as well of ordered a t-shirt to go with it that said “I have a problem!” But with a twist of fashion fate, we are now in an era where headphones are cool. Especially the big ones!
Today’s headphone fashion has given our little sensory cuties a whole new collection of headphones with hundreds of colors to choose from, great noise reduction controls and adjustable size. Even if my little one doesn’t have her headphones plugged into something, she doesn’t stand out. In fact she looks cool and that is a fashion gift!
This new craze gives hope to getting through a few more of my older son’s basketball games, an extra ten minutes in the grocery store and less fighting in the back seat of the car. I also use them in the house. Noise from my son playing basketball in the driveway, a neighbor mowing the lawn or extra visitors in the house are all sensory triggers that can be bothersome to kids with sensory issues. Plugging the headphones into an itouch or tv can be a huge stress reliever for my daughter and me!
This is definitely a Top 10 Sensory Hippo must have and it’s also a great gift if you are looking for something for a child with sensory issues. Just make sure to pay a little extra for the ones with noise reduction controls. Very worth it!
