If you have a child with sensory issues a public bathroom is like a nightmare in real life. The volume of people in a room where you are trying to do something very private alone makes this a big struggle. Then, you have loud hand drying blowers and automatic flushing toilets. Our sensory kids want to run to the hills. Here are some ideas that my help:

• Avoid them when possible – make sure you have the kids use the bathroom before going out. This obviously is not 100% but any time it can be eliminated it is better.
• Use family bathrooms – even though they may still have a dryer and automatic flushing toilets it does not have all of the people and it will help you avoid some embarrassment if you have to bring your child in kicking and screaming.
• Sticky notes are your friends. Use them to cover any automatic sensors especially toilets so they do not go off before you want them to
• Bring hand sanitizer and/or wipes to avoid the sinks and hand blowers all together.
• Also keep noise canceling earphones or earplugs with you to help drown out the noise
• Prepare the child before going into the restroom
• Practice, Practice, Practice – Go into public bathrooms whenever possible so it starts to be easier for your child.

While this is a challenge for so many I hope that some of these hints will help you. Please share others you may use here.