How to Improve Sensory Integration

People with sensory integration issues have difficulties dealing with various sensations. They will often avoid touching items or will consistently seek the sense of touch. Movement, sight, sound and taste can be a source of frustration for those with sensory integration issues. They may have to focus on one sense at a time rather than having the senses work together without conscience thought. Typically, you see sensory integration issues in children, but adults can have sensory integration problems as well. Improving sensory integration allows people to be comfortable with new environments, handle distractions, function in noisy environments, deal with human contact and eat new foods.

Instructions

• 1

  Walk a line of tape put on the ground, walk on a balance beam, roll in the grass, balance on an exercise ball, push objects with a broom or pull on elastic bands. These activities will help improve sensations received through the large muscles of your body, such as your legs, arms and back.

• 2

  Play with toys that have textures such as finger paints, play dough, glue, pipe cleaners, puff paint, corn starch and glue and squishy balls. Anything that has a texture to it will help those with sensory integration problems become more comfortable with textures and will fulfill the need for sensory input for those who crave it. Adults may not want to finger paint, but they can still handle obejcts with textures such as stress balls and rubbing stones.

• 3

  Jump on a trampoline, spin around in circles, ride a Sit-n-Spin or play Ring Around the Rosie. These activities stimulate the inner ear, which helps teach the body to work in balance. Adults can jump rope or go to yoga classes. The variety of yogo positions and activities work well in improving adult sensory integration.

• 4

  Wear a weighted vest on and off throughout the day. The weighted vest will give sensory input, but it shouldn't be worn all the time as your body has to learn to function without the weighted sensory input. You can also wear leg weights for more sensory input.