Your Cart is Empty
You may have heard us talk about this before, but we truly believe in the power of the pause.
What does that even mean?
When working with children who have sensory processing challenges or other developmental disabilities, a pause can have a huge effect on a lot of things.
We dive into WHY a pause can be so beneficial as well as provide some interesting articles that discuss this topic.
And stay tuned to the end where we answer 2 listener questions!
Article from Early Intervention - Using Pausing to Encourage Development
Article from ADDitude - How a 4-Second Pause Helps Your Child
Episode 58 - Back to School Tips for Success
Blog Article - 13 Sensory Room Ideas for Home or the Classroom
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
In a fast-paced world, it's easy to forget that children—especially those with sensory processing challenges—need more time to catch up with what's being said, asked, or expected of them. Whether you're a parent or a pediatric professional, embracing what we call “The Power of the Pause” can make all the difference.
This blog unpacks why pausing is a simple yet transformative strategy for supporting children’s development, communication, and confidence, especially for those navigating autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or anxiety.
The “pause” is exactly what it sounds like—a brief, intentional moment of silence after giving a child an instruction, asking a question, or introducing a new activity. It allows their brain time to process, interpret, and formulate a response.
For children with auditory processing disorder, slower processing speeds, or developmental delays, this pause isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Children with sensory processing challenges often need more time to interpret what they hear. Without a pause, they may miss instructions or feel overwhelmed.
When we rush in to answer for a child or repeat ourselves too quickly, we rob them of a chance to succeed. A simple pause sends the message:“I believe in you.”
Processing time gives children space to initiate action or language on their own, fostering independence and critical thinking.
This strategy isn’t just for children with diagnoses. The pause benefits:
Children with autism or ADHD.
Kids with sensory processing or auditory delays.
Toddlers learning language.
Neurotypical children like Rachel’s son Logan, who just need a moment to shift gears.
Rachel shares how her 14-month-old processes a task like throwing a diaper away. It may take several seconds, but with time and space, he gets there—on his own.
Jessica describes how her 8-year-old Logan, while neurotypical, still needs a solid 5-second buffer to process what's being said. That moment of stillness helps him shift mental gears and respond thoughtfully.
A powerful article fromEarly Intervention Strategies for Success emphasizes that pausing requires two things:
Patience.
Respect for the child’s effort.
Even if the child doesn’t respond right away, the strategyis working. Children often need 30–45 seconds—or more—to respond, which professionals call “wait time,” and use it to improve student engagement and verbal output in classrooms.
Another resource,The Power of a Four Second Pause, explains how even neurotypical preschoolers benefit from this wait time. It helps children not just recall information, but become conscious of what they’ve learned.
Use the“one Mississippi, two Mississippi…” method to pause after giving an instruction.
Avoid answering for your child—let them struggle a little.
Refrain from repeating yourself too quickly. Give them time.
Model pausing during sessions with families.
Use consistent 1–3 word prompts.
Educate caregivers about why this matters and how to support it at home.
Incorporate structured “wait time” into classroom routines.
Use visual prompts and routine repetition to support delayed responses.
Embrace non-verbal communication strategies as kids formulate their thoughts.
When adults pause, we send a clear message:“I see you. I hear you. I believe you can do this.”
This simple act can reduce a child’s anxiety, encourage verbal expression, and build emotional resilience. Most importantly, it shows our children that their thoughts are valuable, even if they take longer to form.
Consider integrating supportive sensory tools to complement this strategy:
Visual timers: Help children anticipate how long they have to respond.
Weighted lap pads or compression vests: Provide calming input that can support regulation during communication attempts.
Printable cue cards: Use symbols or images to reinforce verbal instructions and reduce overwhelm.
Whether you're parenting a toddler or supporting a child with special needs, the pause is not a delay—it’s a doorway. A moment of stillness allows children to access their own thoughts and develop autonomy.
Remember: the greatest growth often happens in the quietest moments.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
