If you’re like me, once you know WHAT you’re dealing with you immediately move to the “but HOW?” Managing the varying sensory needs of our children can feel overwhelming. When you’re juggling a million things, navigating waves of unpredictability and doing everything you can just to make it through the day, how could you possibly find the time and energy to create fun and engaging ways to give your kids the sensory input and regulation they need at home?! (I’m speaking from lived experience here…this has crossed my mind MANY times). The good news is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There are so many easy ways to incorporate effective strategies at home and a lot of amazing tools that already exist. Here you’ll find information about what we’ve found helpful during varying seasons of sensory processing in our household, strategies we use regularly, links to resources and strategies on our list of things to try. Strategies and resources below are organized according to the type of sensory input they address. We’re just getting started, so stay tuned for active links and printables.
While we live and breathe at-home strategies for sensory regulation, I am not a licensed occupational therapist. Although many of the ideas listed on this page have originated from our amazing team of therapists, I encourage you to consult your own therapists with questions about the best fit for your child(ren).
Strategies for Home
Vestibular Input
Movement of the head: jumping, bouncing, running, crashing, climbing
- Jumping on a trampoline either inside or outdoors
- Swinging (linear or side-to-side)
- Running and crashing into a crash mat
- Obstacle courses
- Therapy ball – laying on stomach or back, rocking forward and backward
- Therapy ball – sitting and bouncing up and down
- Spinning (Sit ‘n Spin, space board)
- Exercise dice – sit-ups, jumping jacks, push-ups
- Hanging upside down
- Jumping in puddles!
- Dance party
- Tumbling/gymnastics (think somersaults)
Oral Input
Sensory input through the mouth.
- Chewies
- Chewy foods – gum, fruit snacks or marshmallows
- Sucking on a lollipop
- Vibrating toothbrush or Z-Vibe
- Eating sour/pungent foods (lemon, lime, pickles)
- Drink a thick smoothie through a straw
- Use a water bottle like Camelback that requires child to bite and suck simultaneously
- Cold/frozen food (popcicles, frozen grapes, berries and corn are our favorites!)
- Blowing bubbles
- Blowing up balloons
- Frozen washcloth to chew on
Deep Pressure
- Massage roller
- Use therapy ball to apply pressure to body
- Wrap tightly in a blanket (burrito style)
- Sandwich between two beanbags and apply pressure
- Weighted blanket
- Compression sheet
- Tight squeezes
- Gentle massage
- Body brushing (this should be done under the guidance of a certified therapist)
Proprioceptive Input
Muscles and Joints: Pushing, pulling, pressure, weight
- Pump on the swings
- Weighted vest or blanket
- Compression sheet
- Body sock
- Big bear hug
- Yoga (Cosmic Kids Yoga is great!)
- Animal walks (bear crawl, crab walk, donkey kicks
- Climbing a rock wall, climber or tree
- Crushing boxes with boots on (fan favorite in our house!)
- Playing in a ball pit
- Swimming or taking a bath
- Heavy work (see below)
Heavy Work
A form of proprioceptive input so powerful that it deserves a category of it’s own!
- Kettle bell lifting (at an appropriate weight)
- Monkey bars
- Outdoor work (shoveling, raking, digging)
- Carrying heavy objects (carrying laundry basket of clothes)
- Pushing a weighted stroller or grocery cart
- Vacuuming
- Walk with a backpack weighted with books or baby wipes
- Using resistance bands
- Playing with putty
- Riding a bicycle
- Drumming with hands on a therapy ball (or any surface really)
- Playing with Squigz (Suction them to a wall, floor, or each other & pull)
Auditory/Visual Strategies
(Our boys struggle with overstimulation in these areas)
- Noise cancelling headphones
- Therapeutic listening (if you have an OT, as them about this)
- White noise machine (there are also loads of free white noise apps)
- Providing a quiet space, often with little visual stimulation
- Contained spaces (tents, forts)
- Go for a relaxing drive in the car
- Toys that have a spinning motion (fidget spinner, SpinAgain)