Hats, Hats, Hats: A Simple Sensory and Social Support Tool
- amykdtobik2
- May 25
- 3 min read
By Karen Kaplan, MS
Hats come in all sizes. Hats come in all colors. They are made of different materials, some hard and some very soft. Hats can feature favorite music, sports, cities, sayings, and characters. They can be bought at clothing stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, bookstores, pet stores, restaurants, festivals, concerts, and many other places. There are so many ways hats can be used as a simple sensory and social support tool.
Hats can protect us from the sun, wind, and rain
Hats can reduce noise
Hats can reduce brightness
Some hats can protect us from injuries
Baseball players wear hats
Motorcycle riders wear hats
Football players wear hats
Golfers wear hats
Fishermen wear hats
Firefighters wear hats
Hats are a common piece of clothing
So, why not help those with sensory and social differences learn about hats and see ways to wear them to support their sensory, social, learning, and community access challenges, while maintaining healthy skin?
Maybe the first step is to read some books to them to help them explore hat wearing:
The Sunscreen Fairy: A Book for Kids About Healthy Sun Safety Habits: Hodges, Erin: 9798311670975: Amazon.com: Books
The Sun That Protects Us: A Children’s Book: Vernon, Kristin Baysek: 9798246739198: Amazon.com: Books
The Curious Kid's Book About Hats: A Fun and Educational Children's Picture Book That Introduces Children to the World of Hats: Adams, Wendy: 9798901191347: Amazon.com: Books
Whose Hat Is This?: A Look at Hats Workers Wear - Hard, Tall, and Shiny (Whose Is It?: Community Workers): Katz Cooper, Sharon: 9781404819764: Amazon.com: Books
Amazon.com: Old Hat New Hat (Bright & Early Board Books): 9780679886303: Berenstain, Stan, Berenstain, Jan: Books
When things get too loud: A story about sensory overload (Sensory Series): Alcott, Anne: 9789083160801: Amazon.com: Books
Maybe a second step is to write down a list of favorite places, activities, and characters, and use the web to find out if hats come with those memories on them:
Maybe a third step is to go visit some favorite stores that carry hats and try some on.
Another idea is to take a look at hats when you take your individual to a special place, concert, or activity. Perhaps, they try them on there.
A cool place to see hats is at your local garage sales. You might try them on first and then see if your individual wants to try one on.
You might develop a social story or two that explain how hats help calm our sensory systems. The New Social Story Book, Revised and Expanded 15th Anniversary Edition: Over 150 Social Stories that Teach Everyday Social Skills to Children and Adults with Autism and their Peers: Gray, Carol: 9781941765166: Amazon.com: Books
You might develop and test whether Comic Strip Conversations can help them transition to wearing a hat to support their sensory or social differences. Comic Strip Conversations: Gray, Carol: 0800706001130: Amazon.com: Books
Karen Kaplan, MS, is a native San Franciscan. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, in speech pathology and audiology. She minored in special education and obtained her speech therapist and special education credentials in California. Karen worked as a speech therapist for schools for 20 years before opening her own residential and education program for students with autism. She worked in credential programs at Sacramento State University as well as UC Davis and spent 20 years directing private schools for those with autism and similar learning challenges. Karen founded a non-profit, Offerings, which helps cultures globally to understand those with developmental challenges. For seven years, she founded and facilitated an autism lecture series and resource fair in Northern California. Karen still facilitates an annual Autism Awesomeness event. She is currently consulting, helping families, schools, and centers for children, teens, and adults. Karen has authored three books: Reach Me Teach Me: A Public School Program for the Autistic Child; A Handbook for Teachers and Administrators, On the Yellow Brick Road: My Search for Home and Hope for the Child with Autism, and Typewriting to Heaven… and Back: Conversations with My Dad on Death, Afterlife and Living (which is not about autism but about having important conversations with those we love).
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