Types of Sensory Input

• Heavy Work For Muscles

  You could try adding lifting, carrying and pushing activities into your child's daily routine. This could include:

  • Watering the plants or gardening
  • Lifting books and toys back onto the shelves
  • Taking bags of rubbish to the dustbin
  • Holding onto bars on a climbing frame
  • Jumping up and down on a trampoline
  • Wheelbarrow walks
  • Pushing the wall down or push ups
  • Sweeping the floor or cleaning the tables.

• Deep & Light Pressure Touch

  Both deep and light pressure touch can be alerting and regulating. It can be slow and firm, or light and tickly. Sudden changes in touch can be alerting for your child.

  It is important that these activities are introduced with an element of choice and not forced onto your child. Start with activities they would like the most.

  It’s also important to monitor your child's arousal level and adjust the input if they are becoming too overstimulated.

  • Massage. Especially on the back and feet that finishes with light tickly movements. Show your child how to give themselves a massage if they are able to
  • Rough and tumble play
  • Holding stress balls, hand toys, playdough and certain rough and prickly textured objects
  • Pressing hands or feet together, or pushing with hands against the wall
  • Activities in bare feet, such as walking on sand, grass or other textured surfaces
  • Popping bubble wrap with their thumb and fingers.

• Fast Changing Movement

  You could try:

  • Swinging on the swings or climbing frame
  • Sitting on a therapy ball and bouncing up and down
  • Jumping, hopping, running fast and changing directions
  • Setting up an obstacle course. You don't need special equipment and you could do this at the park or in the garden.

• Stimulating Environments

  You could try:

  • Bright and visually appealing spaces
  • Frequent movement breaks to alert the body
  • Adjusting the temperature. A cool room with fresh air is better than a warm room.