How do I help a kid with texture aversion handle splash pad water?

Texture aversion is a real sensory issue, not pickiness, and water on skin or wet pavement on bare feet can trigger genuine distress. Force feeds the aversion; gradual exposure dissolves it. Step 1: hands-only contact at the perimeter — let the kid touch a single ground spray with one finger. Step 2: water shoes plus shorts plus a long rash guard so very little skin is exposed. Step 3: a single ground spray hit on a covered torso. Step 4: let them choose any one feature to engage with on their terms. Don't proceed to the next step until the current one is comfortable. Bring an absorbent quick-dry towel for instant drying; the wet-fabric-clinging texture often bothers more than the spray itself. Some kids do better with warm-water splash pads (rare) than cold; some prefer mist over jets. Coordinate with the OT — texture aversion is core SPD territory and OT desensitization protocols work. Don't compare progress to other kids; the goal is forward, not fast.