Dive Deeper

• Low Stimulation Environment

   A low stimulation environment is often useful when a child is in sensory overload or shutdown.

  Creating a Low Stimulation Environment

  • Choose a quiet space where there is low or natural lighting
  • Choose somewhere that visual distractions (such as TV) can be limited
  • Choose somewhere away from any distracting or unpleasant smells
  • To make sure your child feels comfortable, safe, and secure – allow them to have some choice about where this space is (if possible)
  • Use comfort items such as blankets, a pillow or cushion, or a personal comfort item.

• Movement Activities

  When Seeking Movement

  • Playground equipment
  • Cycling or skating
  • Making cardboard castles / forts
  • Ball games
  • Push and pull activities such as tug-o-war or pushing objects in a trolley
  • Simon says, sleeping lions or treasure hunt games
  • Red light green light, musical chairs or hide and seek
  • Household chores such as carrying and moving and tidying up.

  When Avoiding Movement

  • Low intensity movement activities such as walking at a less busy time
  • Create safe space or tent.

  Movement Equipment

  • Visit a playground or park to use the equipment
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Balls or beanbags
  • Trampoline.

• Oral - Motor

  If you notice your child seeks oral sensation you could try:

  • The use of chewys, chewing gum or crunchy food
  • Blowing bubbles
  • Drinking through straws and sports caps.

• Smell

  You could try:

  • Playing with jars containing a variety of smells
  • See if your child can recognise scents with their closed eyes
  • Playing outside with leaves, soil or flowers
  • Cooking.

  If your child is sensitive to smell, open the windows and allow them to use a less intense space. Play similar games with lower intensity scents that they choose and use unscented glues or pens.

• Taste

  You could try:

  • Incorporating food play and cooking into your daily structure. Could your child help make dinner or is there time to bake together at the weekend?
  • Using food across the day for various activities such as counting, messy play or arts and crafts.
  • Using a variety of tastes in food, such as spicy, salty or sour.

• Hearing

  You could try:

  • Using ear defenders or headphones with music
  • Do they have preferred music to listen to that can help them regulate?
  • Using a quiet space if noise levels get too high
  • Playing music games. Can they name the sound, song or artist?

• Visual

  You could try:

  • Keeping the environment tidy and visually interesting but not overwhelming
  • Choosing a quiet space where there is low or natural lighting
  • Choose somewhere that visual distractions (such as TV) can be limited.

• Touch

  You could try:

  • Sensory or messy play
  • Sand play
  • Water games
  • Walking on bubble wrap
  • Rolling your child in a mat or sandwiching between large cushions
  • Showing them how to bear hug to themselves or give them a tight cuddle.