Activities to Help With Sensory Integration

Sensory integration refers to the brain's function of processing information it obtains through the senses. If your child's brain does not effectively process incoming sensory messages, he may have difficulty interacting with his environment. He may also struggle in relationships and have difficulty learning. Fortunately, you can help him to integrate the sensory input to his brain by encouraging him to engage in activities designed to be both therapeutic and fun.

Tips

• Do not force a fearful child to participate in an integration activity.

  As you work with your child to improve her sensory processing capability, it is imperative to follow some basic tips. If she is exhibiting fear or anxiety, do not force her to participate. The fear is not under her control; it is based on her nervous system's sensory reaction. As she performs these or any integration activities, watch her for signs of becoming overactive, inattentive or overly silly. Note any sudden changes in skin color or hiccuping, burping or yawning. If you see any of these signs, immediately stop the activity. Calm her by snuggling, wrapping in a blanket, a warm bath or whatever specific procedure works to decrease the anxiety in your child.

Heavy Work

• A therapeutic type of activity called "heavy work" may be beneficial to your child. This intervention is especially necessary for children who struggle with arousal level regulation -- the child who can't seem to sit still. One helpful heavy work activity is carrying objects such as groceries or backpacks. Encouraging your son to help move or stack chairs or other items is another effective activity. He may also enjoy assisting you in watering plants using the hose or a can. Any activity that involves moving or bearing weights can be helpful and fun. Swimming, biking, wearing wrist or ankle weights or pushing/pulling objects such as toy lawn mowers or shopping carts are all therapeutic and possibly enjoyable activities for your child.

Fine Motor Activities

• There are many activities that can assist your child in fine motor and upper extremity development. Have her work at or above eye level with a tabletop easel, paint and draw on a floor easel, and write and color on a chalkboard. Encourage your daughter to play with modeling dough or putty and to cut paper and cardboard with curvy scissors. Utilize squishy or resistive items such as stress balls, squishy balls or rubber bands in her play time.

Oral Intervention

• Your child may struggle with oral difficulties. Encourage him to try chewy foods such as gummy candy, beef jerky or granola bars. Another oral intervention is to offer your son resistive sucking options such as looped straws, lollipops, sports bottles with straws, and milkshakes with straws. Engage him in blowing activities such as bubbles, wind instruments and whistles.

Tunnels and Vibrating Objects

• Other activities that are beneficial in addressing the issue of sensory integration include the use of tunnels or vibrating objects. Simply having your daughter crawl through a tunnel is an effective active gross motor and bilateral motor coordination therapy. You can increase the benefit by putting textured objects in the tunnel. Vibrating objects are actually calming for children with sensory processing problems. Utilize vibrating pillows, handheld massagers, oral massagers, vibrating toothbrushes or massaging chairs and recliners. When she is overcome by sensory input, teach her to use the vibrating object as a comforter.

The Best Approach

• The best approach to any intervention is to allow your child to choose. Present him with options and let him decide. Utilize activity lists as a starting point. You may choose to experiment with similar ideas from the list and tailor them to your son's preferences. While there are many at-home activities and products that can assist you in caring for your child, if possible he should also receive professional intervention from an occupational therapist. Seek referrals and resources from his primary care physician. You do not have to fight this battle alone.