Sensory Strategies for Impulsive Kids: Walking With Alina
Helping Children With Autism Manage Impulses: Alina’s Story
Parenting a child with special needs can feel overwhelming—especially when impulsive behaviors and sensory struggles are part of daily life. Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside a young woman I’ll call Alina, whose journey taught me so much about autism, impulsivity, patience, creativity, and hope. This is her story—and it just might shine light on yours.
How it all began
I have spent a lifetime knowing and loving the young lady I’ll call Alina. She joined my Sunday School class when she was just eight years old—a darling redhead with a full personality and a contagious smile.
At that time, Alina was part of a self-contained class for students with developmental disabilities. She was bright, impulsive, and full of curiosity, but sometimes her impulses got her into trouble.
Learning Through Touch
Alina loved textures. One of her favorite things was to reach for other girls’ long hair and rub it against her face, like petting a puppy’s soft fur. It was innocent curiosity, but sometimes uncomfortable for her peers.
I’ll never forget the night she and I walked into the staff room and found a giant birthday cake waiting. Instead of grabbing a slice, Alina impulsively pressed her hand straight down into the middle of the cake! She looked up at me with wide eyes, frightened at what she had done, and asked me to help her wash her hand. She never licked the frosting—it wasn’t about the taste. It was about the sensation.
There were other moments too—times when she covered herself (and sometimes others!) in glue, spreading it on her face, arms, and clothes, fascinated by the sticky texture.
To help her, I created a “texture box”—a simple shoebox filled with fabrics of all kinds: smooth, rough, fuzzy, soft. Each week in class, her one-on-one helper would invite her to explore the box. Over time—nearly a year of weekly practice—Alina’s impulses lessened. She learned to meet her sensory needs in a safe, structured way.
Facing Bigger Challenges
But Alina’s impulses weren’t limited to textures. At home and even at church, she developed a frightening pattern of running to closets and ingesting whatever she found—cleaning fluids, shampoo, perfume, prescription medications. Her parents had more than 45 emergency room visits because of these behaviors.
Eventually, overwhelmed, her father moved the family to a smaller church. I visited their home and asked if there was any way I could continue being part of Alina’s life. Thankfully, the answer was yes.
Family and Education
Alina was the third of four children in a remarkable homeschooling family. Her older brother, Edward, was a genius with a big heart who grew into an engineer. Her sister Abigail, equally brilliant, was also a gifted musician who now travels internationally and supports herself through music. Her younger brother Evan was another genius, though being younger than Alina influenced his social-emotional development in unique ways.
When Alina’s standardized test scores raised red flags with the authorities, she was required to attend public school. I went with her family to the IEP meeting, advocating for her needs and helping the team recognize that she was on the autism spectrum. Later, when her school neglected to continue reading instruction, I began tutoring her at my home.
Growing Into Adulthood
I worked with Alina on reading for years, until the day she turned 21. With a big grin she declared, “I am an adult now! I don’t want to read with Patty anymore!” But what she really meant was that she wanted our time together to change.
And so it did. She continued visiting me weekly, but instead of tutoring, we spent our time connecting in whatever way fit her life at the moment. Today, I still see her regularly in her home. She is important in my life, and I am important in hers.
Walking Alongside Families
My time with Alina has been a lifelong reminder that supporting children with special needs is about more than academics. It’s about walking alongside them—and their families—through every season of growth, with patience, love, and creativity.
If you are raising or teaching a child with unique challenges, I’d love to walk alongside your family too. Let’s connect.
📞 971-515-9760
📧 homeschoolspecialed.pm@gmail.com