Understanding the Impact on Sensory Sensitivities
When the Seasons Change: Understanding the Impact on Sensory Sensitivities
At Nature Moves, we know that every child experiences the world in their own unique way, and for neurodivergent children, sensory experiences can often be more intense, unpredictable, or even overwhelming. One area that’s often overlooked is how the change in seasons can affect sensory sensitivities and regulation.
While many of us welcome the shift from summer to autumn, or winter to spring, for children with sensory processing differences, these changes can bring a whole new set of challenges. Let’s take a closer look at why that is, and how we can support our kids through the transitions.
🌬️ Changes in Temperature
Shifts in temperature are one of the most obvious seasonal changes, but they can be particularly difficult for sensory-sensitive children. Some kids may find cold air painfully sharp, while others struggle with the stickiness of humidity or itchiness of layered clothing in colder months. Even subtle things like the feeling of wind on their face or sweat on their back can trigger discomfort or distress.
🧣 Support Tip: Allow your child to explore and choose clothes that feel good on their skin. Soft tags, loose-fitting layers, and sensory-friendly fabrics can make a big difference.
👃 New Smells
Spring brings fresh flowers, cut grass, and pollen. Autumn smells like damp leaves and earth. These changes in scent may seem small to us, but for children with heightened sensory awareness, new or strong smells can quickly become overwhelming or even cause physical discomfort.
🌸 Support Tip: Talk to your child ahead of time about what they might notice. You can even explore the smells together in a calm setting so they feel less surprising when encountered unexpectedly.
👁️ Shifts in Light and Colour
The brightness of summer, the long shadows of autumn, the grey skies of winter—each season has its own visual landscape, and that can influence how children feel and behave. Bright sunlight may feel too intense, or the dim light of winter may cause dysregulation or tiredness during the day.
🕶️ Support Tip: Sunglasses, hats, or even a pair of lightly tinted lenses can help make visual input more manageable. Make sure indoor spaces have warm, consistent lighting to avoid sudden contrasts.
👂 Different Sounds
Seasonal changes bring new sounds: the buzzing of cicadas in summer, the rustle of dry leaves in autumn, heavy rain on rooftops in winter, and birdsong in spring. For a child who’s sensitive to auditory input, these unfamiliar or louder-than-usual sounds can lead to sensory overload or even anxiety.
🎧 Support Tip: Noise-reducing headphones or quiet time in nature can help regulate the auditory environment. Encourage your child to let you know which sounds bother them most.
👟 New Routines and Activities
As the seasons change, so do our daily routines, different clothes, different activities, sometimes even different sleep patterns. For many neurodivergent children, predictability is key, so any shift in schedule or structure can feel unsettling.
📅 Support Tip: Use visual schedules, social stories, or countdown calendars to help prepare your child for seasonal changes. Knowing what to expect reduces stress and builds confidence.
💚 Nature Is Always There
While the seasons bring change, one thing remains constant: nature itself is a grounding force. At Nature Moves, we use outdoor experiences to help children reconnect with themselves, self-regulate, and feel a sense of peace and routine, even when the world around them is shifting.
Whether it’s spring sunshine, autumn breezes, or winter’s stillness, there is always something magical to discover, at your child’s own pace, in their own way.
Need more support with seasonal transitions?
Our team is always happy to offer tips or help tailor strategies for your child’s sensory needs. At camp, we create a predictable yet flexible environment that celebrates the beauty of change, without the overwhelm.
Because at Nature Moves, we don’t just observe the seasons… we move with them. 💚