Sensory-seeking/ADHD children can significantly impact a household's energy. When their needs are well-managed, they can bring vibrant and positive energy; however, without proper control, this energy can become overwhelming and negative. Sensory seeking children can often gravitate towards activities or objects that provide strong sensory input, such as screens, sugary foods, or stimulating toys. If these childhood addictions are not addressed, they can potentially lead to more serious adult addictions, including substance abuse, gambling, sex addiction, shopping addiction, video game addiction, and extreme sports addiction.

Here are the strategies I used to manage the various addictions of my sensory-seeking daughter, who, like my son, was expelled from three preschools due to behavioral issues:

1. iPad Addiction

I’ve written a dedicated blog article on this topic—check it out here.

2. Candy and Sugar Addiction

My daughter can experience intense cravings for sweets, which often results in hyperactivity, aggression, and a reduced appetite for solid meals. I explained that sugary foods are designed to be addictive for profit. 

As a general rule, I don’t keep candy in the house. If she attempts to buy candy at a store, I simply inform the cashiers not to sell it to her, and they always comply. The cashiers are often amused by my approach, and my kids find it entertaining too.

I also addressed the high sugar content in kid-friendly drinks like fruit juices and sodas. I explained the importance of drinking water and the negative effects of excessive sugar, such as inflammation and acne. Seeing how acne and inflammation affected others, she was motivated to take steps to prevent it herself.

Eventually, my daughter came to understand the importance of moderating her sugar intake. However, I recognized that she would make mistakes along the way and learn from them through her own experiences.

3. Junk Food Addiction

Junk food is everywhere and especially tempting for kids. I taught my daughter that junk food manufacturers, like the manufacturers of sugary foods, intentionally include addictive ingredients to profit from kids. I also taught her to read labels and understand what she was putting into her body, making her more conscious about her food choices. 

4. Small Toy Addiction

My daughter loves small toys, especially colorful plastic ones. Unfortunately, these toys were piling up in the house and often forgotten shortly after being bought.

To address this, I had my daughter watch a couple of videos about how colored plastic usually ends up in landfills and harms ocean animals:

What are microplastics and their harmful effects?

Where colored microplastics end up 

These videos were eye-opening for her and made her reconsider the necessity of these toys. She is now more selective about the quantity she buys and understands the environmental impact of her choices. She was thrilled when I offered to make a donation to the Ocean Cleanup Project in her name. We also agreed to donate toys that hadn't been used in six months to underprivileged children. A wonderful alternative to donating toys is recycling them through Terracycle.

5. Stuffed Animal Addiction

So, my clever daughter discovered a trick online for winning stuffed animals from claw machines. When she was with her dad, she managed to persuade him to fund her claw machine ventures and quickly built up a rather large collection. To keep things under control, we’ve put a system in place: each month, she organizes and cleans her stuffed animals, and anything she decides not to clean goes to charity. This routine helps her practice responsibility and care for her belongings, keeping her space tidy and encouraging her to appreciate what she has instead of always wanting more.

Conclusion

Managing my sensory seeker’s addictions hasn’t been easy, but these strategies have made a significant difference in my household. Setting clear rules and expectations, educating her about the consequences of her choices, and encouraging responsibility have all contributed to managing these challenges effectively.

Every child is different, so what works for one may not work for another. Consistency and patience are key, and it’s all about finding the balance that works for your family.