Leaving the house. Coming home. Walking into therapy. Getting back in the car. For many sensory-sensitive kids, the hardest part of the day isn't any single activity. It's the moments in between.
Michelle knows those moments well. She helps care for her 7-year-old granddaughter, who is autistic and experiences sensory overload, and transitions were often where the day fell apart. Recently, she shared how TouchPoints have become part of the family's routine for those in-between times, alongside the therapies her granddaughter already does.
Why transitions feel so big
A transition asks a child to stop something, shift attention, and adjust to a new space, all at once. For a child whose nervous system is already working hard to process sound, light, touch, and movement, that shift can tip them from coping into overwhelm.
That's why transitions often come with big reactions: meltdowns, shutting down, lashing out, or refusing to move on. These reactions aren't a child being difficult. They're usually a sign their body needs more support to feel safe and settled before the next thing starts.
Predictable routines help. So do calming tools a child can carry from one place to the next, so the feeling of support comes with them.
One family's routine
TouchPoints use BLAST® (Bilateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile) technology: gentle, alternating vibrations on the left and right sides of the body that help the nervous system shift toward calm.
Michelle's family uses them at the points in the day that used to be hardest:
- Before and after school
- Before and after therapy sessions
- When coming home from outings
Her granddaughter wears them on her ankles, which keeps them comfortable and out of the way of her hands while she plays, reads, or moves around.
Since making TouchPoints part of these transitions, Michelle has noticed her granddaughter handling changes more easily and being more engaged during family activities. It isn't only the family who sees it. The people in her granddaughter's daily life have noticed she's more accepting of routines.
Michelle is also honest that this is a work in progress:
"We're still trying to figure out what is best for her, but I have seen improvements in addition to her other therapies. These are a great tool to help implement and carry over the self awareness aspect of input."
That last point matters. The skills a child practices in therapy don't always travel home or to school. A tool she can wear through the whole day helps bridge that gap.
Tips for smoother transitions
Every child is different, so treat these as starting points to try and adjust.
- Give a heads-up. A countdown ("five more minutes, then shoes on") or a visual schedule helps a child see what's coming next.
- Start calming support early. Put TouchPoints on a few minutes before the transition, not in the middle of a meltdown. It's easier to stay settled than to come back down.
- Try the ankles. If your child pulls at things on their wrists or hands, wearing TouchPoints on the ankles, over socks or leggings, keeps them comfortable and out of reach.
- Keep the routine consistent. Using TouchPoints at the same points each day, like after school or before therapy, helps them become a familiar cue that it's time to settle.
- Build a landing zone. After outings, a quiet spot with low light and a favorite comfort item gives the body time to reset.
- Loop in the team. Share what's working with your child's therapists and teachers so the same support carries across home, school, and sessions.
Helpful resources
- STAR Institute: education and support for families navigating sensory processing differences
- Child Mind Institute: parent guides on autism, sensory challenges, and managing transitions
- American Occupational Therapy Association: information on how occupational therapists support sensory regulation
Finding what works for your family
Like Michelle, many families find the best results come from combining tools: therapy, routines, and calming support a child can take with them. TouchPoints aren't a replacement for any of that. They're one more way to help your child feel steady through the moments in between.
Curious whether they might fit your family's routine? Explore TouchPoints for Sensory Support.
Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your family's story with our community.
