Katie Taylor, CCLS, Child Life on Call

As soon as any patient walks in our door, we thoroughly begin to assess their developmental level and sensory needs. For our many patients with sensory needs and kids with special abilities, we think critically about how the world around them influences their ability to cope with a medical experience.

While we all have some level of sensory preference, we want to be acutely aware of what specifically works best for our pediatric patients. While in a perfect world, we would have time to speak with a parent prior to the patient’s arrival and they would be able to accurately explain what works and doesn’t work for their child in terms of sensory issues, that just isn’t the case.

Keeping a sensory bin in your office, the ED, or somewhere else where it’s  accessible for staff to use is key in making sure that all of our patients are given the opportunity to cope with their hospitalization as best as possible.

Don’t have a sensory bin and not sure what to put in it? Here are some ideas from SmileMakers and things to put in your sensory bin or cart:

1. Find a container to put your items:
1. This rolling cart can be moved throughout the units
2. These bins provide easy access for staff and children
3. These organizing cups make it easy to sort items
2. Tactile sensory seeking (touch)
1. Stress balls galore
2. Fidget items
3. Oral and gustation sensory seeking (touch to mouth/chew, taste)
1. Flavored Tongue Depressors
4. Olfactory sensory seeking (smell)
1. Fruit scratch and sniff stickers
2. More scratch and sniff

Implementing sensory bins around your hospital or clinic, in addition to educating your staff about the different sensory needs that children may have, is a great way to increase patient compliance and satisfaction. In addition to a screening or intake form, getting these bins available to nurses, techs and in patient areas are so important.

What does your hospital do to care for and treat patients with sensory needs? Let us know on our social pages.