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Proprioception

  • Deep tactile activities involve firm, consistent, rhythmic touch to the body.

  • "Heavy work” activities are any task that requires strength, endurance, and sustained activation of the muscles of the body.

  • These activities produce an organizing effect on the neurological system by helping the brain understand the position of the body in space

• Deep tissue/firm Massage

• Push heavy object

• Carry heavy objects

• Pull heavy objects

• Wall pushups

• Jumping on a crash pad

• Climb on playground equipment

• Wrapping in a blanket

• Weighted blanket

• Animal Walks

• Weighted backpack or vest

(10% of the child’s body weight)

20-30-minute intervals

• Squeezing

  • Stress Ball

  • Water bottles

  • Putty

• Roll ball over the child’s body

  • Roll on a therapy ball

• Play with a therapy ball

• Knead dough, therapy putty, modeling clay

• Yoga

• Joint Compressions

Vestibular

  • Calming

    • Linear (back and forth) movements on suspended equipment or those that provide a slow rocking motion

  • Excitatory

    • Fast movements on suspended equipment and may include quick changes of direction and speed

    • Activities that have a rotary or orbital movement component. 

    • Rocking

    • Swinging

    • Swing

    • Hammock

    • Glider

    • Spinning

    • Trampoline

    • Ride Bike

    • Dance

    • Rolling

    • Climbing up and down steps

    • Gymnastics

    • Animal Workouts

    • Bounce

    • Ball

    • Cushion

    • Mattress

    • Stretching

    Auditory

    Noise can be very distracting to the system and should be used in brief, structured instances. Combining movement (dance) with auditory input can work well in alerting the system, and can also enhance learning

    • Listen to music

    • Singing

    • White Noise Machine

    • Rain Stick

    • Listen to sounds of nature outdoors

    • Water Fountain

    • Noise Cancelling Headphones

    • Have a “safe space” that's quiet and has low light

    • Observe Silence (e.g., 10 minutes of silence)

    • Play with instruments 

    Olfactory

    • Smell Essential Oils

    • Sniff Spices and Herbs

    • Scratch and sniff stickers

    • Scented playdough

    • Scented markers

    • Use a diffuser oil bracelet or necklace

    • Practice deep breathing

    Tactile

    The sense of “touch” can be very alerting to the system.

    • Excitatory input: “Light” touch including tickles, itching, and scratching is excitatory

    • Calming input: “Firm” touch

    • Finger Paint

    • Shaving Cream

    • Clay

    • Putty

    • Slime

    • Foam

    • Walk barefoot in sand, grass, or leaves

    • Tactile Boxes;

    • Sandbox

    • Beans

    • Rice

    • Water Play

    • Play with Stress Ball

    Visual

    • Sensory Water Bottles

    • Lava Lamps

    • Bubble Lamps

    • Bubbles

    • Colored Light Bulbs

    • Light-up toys

    • Reading books with pictures and pop ups

    • Use a Visual Timer

    • Nightlight

    • Look at photos

    • Look at Nature

    • Fish Tank

    • Farm

    • Zoo

    • Ocean

    • Glow Sticks

    • Throw soft materials

    • Feathers

    • Pom poms

    • Kaleidoscope

    Vision

    A happy and healthy inclusive community that learns and grows together!

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