Sensory-Friendly Summers: Practical Strategies for Parents

In this episode of Vitals & Voices, we sit down with Emilea Rogers, Occupational Therapist at Lexington Regional Health Center, to talk about helping children with sensory needs enjoy all that summer has to offer. From sensory-friendly pool events and interactive library programs to Mommy & Me gatherings and the upcoming Sensory Fair, Emilea shares practical strategies that can help families feel more confident navigating busy summer activities.
Whether you're preparing for a trip to the pool, looking for screen-free activities, or searching for ways to support your child's sensory needs during changing summer routines, this conversation offers encouragement, real-world advice, and simple ideas families can start using right away.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Tips for helping children ease into sensory-rich environments like pools and community events
• Why water can provide valuable sensory and developmental benefits
• Simple sensory activities families can do at home with everyday items
• How visual schedules, routines, and preparation can reduce stress during summer transitions
• Ways parents can recognize and respond to sensory overwhelm before it escalates
• Upcoming opportunities for connection, learning, and support through local pediatric rehabilitation programs

Why This Episode Matters:
Summer brings opportunities for fun, exploration, and family memories—but it can also introduce new challenges for children with sensory differences. With a little planning, the right supports, and realistic expectations, families can create positive experiences that help children build confidence, develop skills, and participate more fully in their communities.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed navigating summer activities, wondered how to make outings more successful, or simply want practical ideas for supporting your child's growth through play, this episode is packed with helpful insights and encouragement for the journey.

Vitals & Voices is a podcast powered by Lexington Regional Health Center, offering meaningful health conversations that matter to you. Each episode features authentic stories and expert insights from the people behind the care — including healthcare professionals, wellness advocates, community leaders, and patients — all aimed at helping you live your healthiest, most informed life.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:06

Imagine this. You pack the sunscreen, towels, snacks, and swim toys. You're ready for a fun day at the pool, but within minutes, the noise, crowds, unexpected sensory input become overwhelming for your child. And suddenly, what was supposed to be a fun outing is just stressful for everyone. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. So today we are talking about how families can navigate summer activities with confidence. Joining me today is Emily Rogers. She is one of our occupational therapists here at Lexington Regional Health Center. She has been helping lead our sensory-friendly summer events throughout the region. And we will discuss today's strategies that worked well at this year's pool events. We want to talk to you about our upcoming sensory events as well. So if you've ever wondered how to make summer activities more successful for your child, this conversation is for you. Welcome to Vitals and Voices. Emily, thank you so much for joining us today.

SPEAKER_00 0:56

Thanks for having me. I'm excited to talk about these opportunities in our community.

SPEAKER_01 1:00

So we have had our sensory pool events. Talk to us, you know, maybe for listeners who weren't able to attend those. What were some good takeaways you think for families on how to navigate, you know, a pool environment with maybe a sensory child?

SPEAKER_00 1:14

Yeah. So we traveled to Bertrand, Lexington, and Elm Creek to provide these pool events around our area. And one thing that I think was a huge takeaway was just letting the child kind of ease into the environment at their own pace. I think that's the biggest thing is you don't want to make it a scary thing. You don't want to make it feel forced. Kind of if they want to sit on the edge of the pool, let them sit on the edge of the pool and watch their friends or their family play in the pool. And then when they're ready, they can kind of ease into it. The nice part about a lot of these pools is they have that zero entry. So kids can kind of dip their toes in and then walk back out. Go a little bit further and then walk back out. So they can really guide the pace.

SPEAKER_01 1:58

I love that. I think it's just good to know, especially with sensory kids, just throwing them in the pool or exposing them right away. I mean, it it might not be the best strategy for them. Yeah, for sure. Ease them into it and I mean just try it and do if it works, it works. And maybe as they get older too, maybe it'll be good.

SPEAKER_00 2:16

Yeah. And one day might be different than the next. They might really like it one day, and then the next day, maybe it's a feel it's feeling a little more cold than it was the day before, or there's just other things going on in the environment. So you just really need to take it day by day um and let them guide guide you.

SPEAKER_01 2:33

So I love that. So with the pool, with water, would you say overall that's I mean, therapeutic for I mean everyone, let alone sensory kids?

SPEAKER_00 2:44

Yeah, the water can provide a very good therapeutic benefit for everybody. Um, here at our facility, we have the warm water um aquatic environment, which is really helpful for all ages, all abilities. Um, we can kind of translate that where it's maybe not as warm in your typical like outdoor pool that you'll see in our towns. Um, but it's still providing the really good sensory input, the pressure, them having to move through the water. It can be really good for skill development, um, strengthening. And then that sensory input is really beneficial too.

SPEAKER_01 3:20

I love that. So, parents, if you haven't tried it, I mean, just test it out. Yeah. So, okay, we made it through our pool events. We are going to lead into our library events. Talk to us about, you know, what families can expect at these.

SPEAKER_00 3:33

Yeah. So we plan to go to COSAD on July 17th and Lexington Library on July 22nd. And families can expect like an interactive story time, uh, craft to go along with it, and just movement and really just showing you how to incorporate when you're reading books more than just sitting and reading. Like, how can we really make this a purposeful time with your kiddos of all ages?

SPEAKER_01 4:01

So one thing I love about these events too is judgment-free zone, you know, especially if you're not used to getting your kids out and about, try it. They scream. We don't care. Yeah. We're we're used to it. We're used to it. Yeah. I love it. Um, Emily, is there an overall theme for these library events? Is there a certain book we have picked out?

SPEAKER_00 4:23

Yes. We're reading The Hungry Caterpillar and doing a craft to correlate along with that. And then just it's an opportunity for parents to come and, you know, if maybe you do have concerns about your child or just want to ask questions, there will be speech and occupational therapists available to you where we're not going to maybe provide medical advice, but we can kind of direct you in the in the right way. And should you need our services, we can kind of guide you in how to go about getting those and or just give you tips and tricks for home. Um, maybe you don't need us, and that's awesome too. So we can give you ways to incorporate activities at home. Um I know screens are kind of the hot topic right now. So um, ways that you can have screen-free time in your household and and make it fun and engaging for yourself and your children.

SPEAKER_01 5:14

So is there anything, you know, post-library event? I'm thinking like a sensory bin or any sensory activities that you think parents could do maybe this summer?

SPEAKER_00 5:22

Yeah, I think getting outside is one of the biggest things. Um, letting kids, I honestly tell parents, like let them walk barefoot whenever possible, when safe, obviously, um, like in the grass or um in an area that you know is a safe area for their bare feet to be. Um, it really helps with that sensory aspect, development of their feet, um, and then just gives them different input than they're normally getting when they have shoes on. Um, I think making sensory bends is always fun. You can make them for all ages. So if you're worried about a kiddo that's maybe gonna put things in their mouth, you can use things that are edible and let them play with it with their hands, um, put their favorite toys in it. Water play is always really awesome. So if you don't have a pool, you could do a water table or a tote with water in it where they can mess around with their hands or put their feet in it. Um, the biggest thing is if you're gonna fill something with water, always make sure to dump it out just to avoid any emergency situations such as drowning or things of that sort.

SPEAKER_01 6:30

It's good to know, Emily. I think as a, you know, as a parent, I'm always looking for ideas myself too of what, you know, what can we do to get outside and and do those. So um with that, tell us about our mommy and me group. It has, I mean, continued to grow and let's tell them about what we have coming up for July.

SPEAKER_00 6:46

Yeah, so our mommy and me group meets the third Tuesday of every month. Um, this summer we've kind of been changing locations just to provide a really nice break from being inside. Um, so we've done a park meetup and we plan to do another one in July. Um, we're going to be meeting at the Memorial Park, kind of by the Lexington pool. So that's where that event will be. Um, but other mommy and me classes that we've held have been just a good opportunity for moms to socialize, um, their kiddos to socialize with each other. We've done a couple presentations. So we kicked off the summer with a water safety presentation and had some of our PAs come over, which was really well received. And we've just done a lot of different educational topics that that parents enjoy learning more about and asking questions. And yeah.

SPEAKER_01 7:38

Uh I've been to a couple of them. I think it's a fun evening. I know my kiddos have enjoyed it, and it's just yeah, good to meet other fellow moms in a in a safe space.

SPEAKER_00 7:47

Yeah. And I think the socialization for the kids is just so important too. Um, especially those kiddos that maybe aren't going to daycare and just staying home with mom or dad or um whatever that might look like. Just giving them the opportunity to interact with kiddos their age, and then also just giving moms and other parents the opportunity to socialize and meet other people. Cause obviously living in a small town sometimes it feels very isolating to be a young, a mom to young children.

SPEAKER_01 8:19

So I love that. So another event that I know we're really excited for, I know there's a ton of fairs going on around the area, and Dawson County is coming up. Talk to us about our event that we're gonna have out there.

SPEAKER_00 8:30

Yeah, so we are doing kind of a sensory hour or two hours at the fair. And so this is just a time for families of children with disabilities or sensory needs to come out to the fair in the morning. Um, there won't be anything else going on really at the fair at that time. So it provides a nice, quiet, sensory-friendly environment. There's a lot of our staff there to help kind of guide the kids through the rides and really just make it all about them for the morning, which I think is really fun for the kids. I know last year there was a kiddo that I went on so many rides with. And was it the tilta world? Uh, I did go on a lot of rides that made me very dis. Um, so yeah, it was really fun. And um, that kid just got to have the morning all about him. And I think that made it even more special and a morning to remember because the fair can be a really stressful time for any parent, I think, or even adults going to the fair. It's a very overstimulating environment for a lot of people. And so just providing this opportunity, um, kind of a low stakes, we're all there to support every kid, provide sensory opportunities and supports, and just make it a really fun morning.

SPEAKER_01 9:46

Like you said, the overstimulation of a fair in general, you have the crowds. I mean, a ton of people, you have the lines, you have loud noises. Most of the time, by the time you can it opens, it's dark. Right. So, like you, like you described, I mean, it's a morning, it's just for this crew. Yeah. If a child gets on a ride, it doesn't work out, they hate it. The carnival workers have been amazing to stop it, to you know, understand the needs that we have.

SPEAKER_00 10:12

So that's the nicest part is kind of like I was saying, it's all about them. So we can get on the ride, and if they just need to sit there for a second, we can do that. Whereas, like if you're going at the typical carnival time, it's like hurry up, get on, and get off. And there's five tickets. Yeah, it's good.

SPEAKER_01 10:30

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:30

So there's not as much time to kind of meet those sensory needs or um, say a child's in a wheelchair if we need to help transfer them into the ride so they can have that experience. Like we've done that before. Um, and then we sometimes have games set up, sensory bends, just making it a really fun, enjoyable morning.

SPEAKER_01 10:50

So I love that. And look on our Facebook page for all those details for that. So, Emily, I know we're, you know, kind of in the middle of summer here. It's wonderful, it's busy, schedules change, travel. I mean, a lot of those things with, you know, sensory kids, handicapped kids. What advice do you have for families who, you know, might be struggling with these changes?

SPEAKER_00 11:13

Yeah, summer is really hard. Um, kind of in the school year, everybody gets in their groove and their routines, and each day is pretty similar to the one before and the one coming up. Um, summertime, there can be a lot of unpredictable things, events happening, um, just kind of out of the norm situation. So I would say keeping a routine as much as possible and keeping it predictable, whether that's using a visual schedule or just saying, this is the plan for today, um, using visual timers when transitions are coming up. That's been a huge thing. I've educated a lot of my parents, um, of the kiddos that I see on is using using that visual timer so that when it's time to leave uh maybe the park, um, it's not a sudden surprise and they can kind of know what to expect. Um, again, preparing them for like a potential change in schedule, like, oh, we thought we were going to the pool, but it looks like it's gonna storm today. So just informing them like, hey, we're gonna choose a different activity today, but we'll get to go to the pool another day and really just making them part of those routines and um even letting them decide um how they want to feel part of their day. So giving them like, okay, we could go to the park or we could go to the pool. What what do you want to do? Whenever there's an opportunity to provide a choice, I think that's really helpful. Um, but never give a choice that's not an option. So that's fair. Yeah. Do you want to put your shoes on? Oh, well, you have to. Yeah, yeah. So if it's a have to, then don't give it as a choice. Um, but if it's something where they can have the option, then say, then let them have that option and give them that autonomy and independence, I think is really important.

SPEAKER_01 12:59

Would you have any advice for parents who maybe feel, you know, overwhelmed in, you know, in this in this time or even being able to sense that overwhelm in their kids of, you know, what are some of those first things you should do, whether you yourself as a parent or your child's getting overwhelmed by I mean the schedule or their sensory needs?

SPEAKER_00 13:18

I think the biggest thing is recognize it early whenever you can. Um you kind of learn your child and you learn yourself and can kind of feel that when that tipping point is coming, some of the times. I know it's not always true for everybody, but try to learn kind of when that tipping point is gonna be and prevent that from happening. Um, the biggest thing as parents is stay regulated yourself. So if your child is having a meltdown, the worst thing you can do is also kind of freak out and have a meltdown. Um, I know it's easier said than done sometimes, but just taking a deep breath, we call that co-regulation. So regulating your own emotions and your own body, your inside and outside, your facial expressions, the way you're talking before you talk to your child, because they feed off of you. So I think that's a big tip is that co-regulation is super important to preventing further meltdowns and then shortening the time of the meltdown.

SPEAKER_01 14:21

I love that. So, Emily, I know we do have some listeners that maybe aren't local here to Dawson County, but what would you say to them of, you know, the events that we do here as a hospital or, you know, the fair, things like that are amazing, but I'm sure that there's other opportunities in various communities.

SPEAKER_00 14:39

Yeah, I would say in your community, look for the opportunities that are being presented. So a lot of times, I mean, social media is a big thing right now. Um, that's probably how a lot of people are listening to this right now. So um, yeah, using social media to find local events going on. I know a lot of libraries will put on different events throughout the summer, especially like reading groups and craft groups or clubs or camps and things like that. Um, checking out the local community centers, um, going to parks. Um, a lot of times park and recreation departments will have like flyers or posts about activities around town. Um, I know Carney has a really good children's museum. That's a big hit. Awesome. So looking at that, I know they post a lot of activities. And then reaching out to your local hospital, they ought a lot of times have the contact to a lot of events around the area and then like support groups kind of like our mommy and me group, finding something like that. And one thing I like to say is if you can't find it in your community or your small town, then don't be afraid to create it yourself. Um, living in a small town can sometimes feel isolating if you're looking for that community, that involvement, but you can't find it, create it. So whether that's getting a couple of friends together for a park meetup and then they invite their friends or coworkers, and and then it becomes like this big group that's meeting up at the park. Um, starting a walk club where you can get your strollers and take the kids and just go around for a walk, I think that's great for everybody to get outside and and get some sunshine and touch some grass.

SPEAKER_01 16:23

So I love that. And if you, I mean, as a parent, as a mom are like, oh, I need that group, another mom's gonna need it too.

SPEAKER_00 16:30

So yeah, a lot of times what you're looking for is what everybody else is wanting, but they're just maybe afraid to start or don't know how to start. So be the one that starts it.

SPEAKER_01 16:40

Emily, what do you say too for parents who know that their kids, you know, need some accommodations? I know the places that we've done our events at, I mean, everywhere has been so accommodating. Well, I mean, what would you say to parents of what to ask for or what, I mean, what to try?

SPEAKER_00 16:55

Yeah, I think just being open with where you're going. Um, so if say you're going to the library, being open with them about your kids' needs ahead of time, or like say you're going to reading group and maybe you're afraid that your child might have a meltdown, maybe sit in the back or close to a door where if you do need that escape, you can use it. Um, but giving your child the opportunity to be in those environments and the socialization and all the different things, I think is so important, no matter their skill level or ability. I think it's important for all kids to be able to participate. Um, I know the pools have a lot of them, like I said, have zero entry, which is really helpful if you have a child who maybe has some mobility concerns. Um and just, yeah, being open about your needs. I know it can probably feel scary at first to ask for help or ask or tell people about the needs that your child or yourself has. But I think once you get past that, um, most places are really happy to accommodate and they just need to know what you need.

SPEAKER_01 18:03

So I love that. And what you were saying just kind of resonated with me with that peer interaction. I mean, generally most of the time, kids are so great with each other, expect I mean, of all different walks of kids' lives. Maybe you talk to us about, you know, that interaction of what we've seen at our events even so far with siblings.

SPEAKER_00 18:21

Yeah. I think it's been fun to see. We've had some kiddos come and maybe one of the kiddos has some sensory needs or a disability that is different than their siblings. And the siblings have just been so involved with their own sibling, but then seeing the other kids there and just giving them that interaction of like, okay, this person might have a different need than I do, or maybe gets overwhelmed by something more than I do, but I can still play with them and interact with them. And I think starting that as young as possible then grows into when they get into like elementary school or junior high, high school. I think it really just gives them a different perspective on life and on people that have different needs than them.

SPEAKER_01 19:07

I love that. Emily, we've covered a lot today, and I know that we are going to include, you know, more details on all of this on our Facebook and show notes and things like that. But what haven't we hit on that we want the community to know?

SPEAKER_00 19:19

Um, I think we hit it all. We have a lot of really good events. Our pediatric therapy team is constantly looking for ways to plan more things and get involved with the community. Um, and so yeah, I guess if you think you need us or your child needs us, don't feel or feel free to reach out. Um, don't hesitate to ask your doctor or even stop in to our clinic at over here at rehab and we can get you connected with somebody that could help.

SPEAKER_01 19:48

So I love that. Emily, thank you so much for being here today. Yeah, thanks for having me. To our listeners, thank you for tuning in. And we hope that you learned a little bit more about um just how to better, you know, support our children and and all the events that are going on this summer. So, like Emily said, if you have any questions, please make sure to follow our Facebook page or reach out to our rehabilitation services department. Thank you so much for listening to Vitals and Voices, and until next time, stay well.