Activities to Practice Sensory Processing

Our daily activities are constantly stimulating our various senses in different ways. For many of us, this process occurs naturally and without impediment. However, for those individuals with sensory processing disorder (SPD), certain sensory stimuli are not processed properly, making some daily activities a challenge. Through specifically targeted sensory activities these sensory processing difficulties can often be overcome.

Determining a Sensory Diet

• "Sensory diet" is a term used to describe a range of activities recommended for the sensory needs of an individual. If SPD is suspected, a diagnosis should first be made by a doctor or occupational therapist. Occupational therapists specializing in SPD are trained to identify which sensory activities will best address the individual's challenges. Sensory activities benefit all children and adults, but they are especially effective in the treatment of those with SPD. The critical criteria are summed up by the acronym SAFE -- sensory-motor, appropriate, fun and easy.

Large Motor Activities

• Large motor sensory activities can include activities that involve pushing, pulling, lifting, jumping, rolling -- in general, lots of movement. These can take place on playground equipment, an indoor play land, a park, on a trampoline or in your own backyard or home. They can be part of free play or incorporated into daily living activities such as raking leaves, pulling a heavy wagon filled with gardening supplies, helping haul groceries or vacuuming. Playing tug of war, bowling, biking, swimming and gymnastic moves are also examples of useful large motor sensory activities.

  For individuals with SPD, an occupational therapist will specify which activities will be most beneficial. For example, spinning on a tire swing or other object is very helpful to a person whose balance and movement -- referred to as the vestibular sense -- are not functioning optimally. Similarly, an activity that involves hanging upside down or rocking can also be beneficial.

Fine Motor Skills

• Fine motor sensory activities target many of the senses. Tactile sensory activities explore sensations such as playing with play dough, sand, water and slimy substances, to name a few. For individuals with sensory tactile problems, focus is often placed on comparing opposites -- rough and smooth, warm and cold, wet and dry, etc. Attention is also paid to working with objects such as pens, crayons, paintbrushes, scissors, silverware and other objects that encourage fine motor skills.

  Oral sensitivities are addressed by activities that encourage chewing, blowing, sucking and tasting. Suckers, straws, blowing out candles, blowing bubbles, eating gummy bears or raisins are some of the relevant activities. Comparisons with different-textured and -flavored foods is very helpful, contrasting sweet and sour, cold and warm, smooth and rough, and chewy and creamy. Visual senses are stimulated by playing with board games and puzzles, viewing pictures with hidden objects, contrasting colors and brightness of light. The variety of available sensory activities is extensive, as are the many combinations of activities that can be combined, depending on sensory needs.

Additional Resources

• Fortunately, there are a wealth of resources available for suggesting useful sensory activities, including occupational therapists, books, SPD organizations and websites. For children or adults with SPD, their occupational therapist will provide a range of appropriate activities and instructions on how best to partake in them. Many communities have resources through early childhood and community education programs. Some occupational therapy clinics also schedule play groups where clients and their families can utilize the facilities together.

Caution

• No one should ever be coerced into sensory activities she is not comfortable with. She should go at her own pace as new activities are introduced. Sensory activities will have the most positive impact when she does so.