Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can significantly impact a child’s daily life, making it difficult for them to process and respond to sensory information effectively. Occupational therapy (OT) plays a crucial role in helping children with SPD develop coping mechanisms and improve their overall sensory processing skills. Here, we will explore various OT activities categorized by sensory systems and offer 5 examples of each technique:
Sensory Integration Activities:
These activities focus on integrating sensory information from different systems to improve overall sensory processing.
- Swinging: Provides vestibular input that helps with balance and coordination.
- Weighted vests: Offer deep pressure input that can be calming and organizing.
- Sensory bin: Filled with various textures and materials, allowing exploration and tactile stimulation.
- Crash pad jumping: Provides proprioceptive input and is a fun way to release energy.
- Obstacle courses: Encourage movement, spatial awareness, and motor planning.
Vestibular Activities:
These activities focus on the vestibular system, which helps with balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.
- Spinning in a chair: Provides vestibular stimulation and can be calming for some children.
- Rolling on a therapy ball: Encourages movement and proprioceptive input.
- Head rolls and tilts: Help to improve vestibular awareness and balance.
- Simon Says: Incorporates movement and auditory processing.
- Balance board activities: Challenge the vestibular system and improve balance.
Proprioceptive Activities:
These activities focus on the proprioceptive system, which provides information about the body’s position and movement.
- Tug-of-war: Provides deep pressure input and strengthens muscles.
- Jumping on a trampoline: Offers proprioceptive and vestibular input and promotes motor skills.
- Push-ups and sit-ups: Strengthen muscles and provide proprioceptive feedback.
- Animal walks: Encourage movement and proprioceptive awareness of different body parts.
- Heavy work activities: Pushing, pulling, and carrying heavy objects provide deep pressure input and promote motor skills.
Tactile Activities:
These activities focus on the tactile system, which helps us perceive touch and texture.
- Play dough: Provides tactile and motor stimulation.
- Finger painting: Encourages tactile exploration and creativity.
- Sand play: Offers different textures and promotes sensory exploration.
- Touch therapy: Gentle touch can be calming and comforting for some children.
- Sensory brushing: Provides deep pressure input and can be calming and organizing.
Auditory Activities:
These activities focus on the auditory system, which helps us process sound.
- Listening to calming music: Can be soothing and promote relaxation.
- Playing musical instruments: Encourages auditory processing and motor skills.
- Singing and chanting: Develops auditory discrimination and vocal skills.
- Sound discrimination games: Helps children identify and differentiate between different sounds.
- Auditory integration activities: Combines auditory input with other sensory modalities, such as movement or touch.
Remember, these are just a few examples, and the best OT activities for your child will depend on their individual needs and preferences. It’s important to work with a qualified occupational therapist to develop a personalized treatment plan that will help your child reach their full potential.
Additional Resources for Parents:
- The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation: https://sensoryhealth.org/basic/foundations-of-development-course-sensory-processing-regulation-and-relationship
- STAR Institute for Sensory Processing: https://sensoryhealth.org/
- The American Occupational Therapy Association: https://www.aota.org/community/special-interest-sections/sensory-integration-and-processing
How Dr. Sumeet Dhawan Can Help:
- For clinic timings and adress Contact Us
- For online consult, Online neurology consult