Massage helps regulate the nervous system. It is important to respect your child’s boundaries, so if they resist or are unhappy, stop the massage and try again another day. If your child doesn’t like hands, you can try using other implements: brushes, rollers or vibration devices, for example. Firm touch can be preferable to gentle, while oil can make massage more comfortable. It promotes secure attachment, releases feel-good hormones and helps our child feel loved and cherished.įor children who are not very sensitive (hyposensitive) to touch, massage can help wake up their bodies and muscles – improving coordination and movement skills as their body awareness grows.įor children who are tactile defensive, massage (if tolerated) can help to desensitise the skin. Gentle, relaxing touch is a great non-verbal way to communicate tenderness and care, and build the connection between child and caregiver. Massage offers a lovely opportunity for bonding.

There is lots of great information out there to help us get started, and we share some of this below. The idea of learning to massage can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. We can enhance the experience by adding other sensory elements our child enjoys, like a darkened room, colourful lights or projections on the ceiling, soft music or ambient noise, a pleasurable scent from essential oils (lavender and vetiver are good choices), or a fluffy blanket to lie on. Massage before bed can be a great way to help slow down the nervous system in preparation for sleep. If we explore touch in a fun, no-pressure way, we are more likely to be successful.īecause our children enjoy activities that are familiar and predictable, building massage into our daily routine can also be helpful. Some children don’t like being touched with hands but like the feeling of an object like a brush or a roller on their skin. Some children hate light touch but really enjoy firm touch and deep pressure. However, with some gentle perseverance, it is possible to find a way to massage a touch-avoidant child.

Some autistic children and young people are sensitive to touch, making massage challenging! In these cases, it is very important to respect our child’s boundaries we should never force anything unessential on our child that they actively dislike. It is also a lovely non-verbal way to promote bonding and connection. Massage provides proprioceptive input, which can help regulate our child’s sensory system. Remember, self-care is giving the world what’s best of you, not what’s left of you.Massage can be hugely beneficial for children on the autistic spectrum. Hmm, have we convinced you to take care of yourself now? You’re just a click away from a whole lot better you. Whether it’s a massage, a glass of wine with your pals or a session at the gym, remove yourself from a stressful issue and you’ll feel the benefits immediately. Escaping for a while can help you to find a solution, so get your focus back by walking away – and the answer may just come to you. Zap some stress away from your day with a walk in the sunshine or chat with friends.ĭoing things you enjoy stops stress from taking over, making you more productive – and much nicer to be around, too! Pushing yourself to the point where you’re exhausted isn’t good for anyone, and if you make an effort to take some time out before it gets that bad, you’ll avoid a lot of stress. It’s true that we need some stress to get things done – but too much is the complete opposite. So, when you’re tempted to work through lunch again because it’s too busy, remember that looking after yourself actually makes you more productive. If you’re overwhelmed by life’s demands and the busy-ness of it all, there’s no better opportunity take a step back and do something just for yourself. When you constantly put everyone else first, you end up letting your own, just as important needs slide and not doing the things that make you happy.

Parent time out massage