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Sensory Processing: Multi-Sensory Input

April 26, 2019Tri-County TherapyBlogoccupational therapyOTpediatric therapyphysical therapysensory processing
Sensory Processing: Multi-Sensory Input

Sensory Processing: Multi-Sensory Input

Now let’s put it all together and have some fun!! Obstacle courses are a great way to provide your kiddo with various types of sensory input at home!  What you’ll need: something soft to “crash” on, something to walk across requiring balance, something with weight, something to crawl under, something to jump on, something to push, and some place to spin. Tri County Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Greenville, Charleston

Tri County Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Greenville, Charleston

Get creative and have your little one help as well!  Pillows work great for crashing.  Try filling a bookbag with canned goods to have your child carry through parts of the course.  If you don’t have a swing nearby, help your child spin in standing a few times and then see if he can regain balance to complete the course.  Can he remember each step without needing to be reminded? 

 

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Sensory Processing: Proprioception

April 19, 2019Tri-County TherapyBlogoccupational therapyOTpediatric therapyphysical therapysensory processing
Sensory Processing: Proprioception

Sensory Processing: Proprioception

Are you able to close your eyes and touch your nose with the tip of your finger?  You can thank your proprioceptive system for this!  This sensory system is responsible for sensing where our body is in relation to its surroundings.  Having impaired proprioceptive processing can cause children to both seek and avoid deep pressure activities. Kids with low proprioceptive awareness may appear lazy, clumsy, or uncoordinated, while kids that seek input tend to enjoy rough play, use too much force with daily tasks, and can be described as being aggressive. 

Including ‘heavy work’ activities in your child’s routine is very important!  Animal walks are an easy place to start and a great way to provide input.  Try bear walks, crab walks, and frog jumps with your child!! 

 Tri County Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Charleston, Greenville

Bear hugs are quick way to provide input through your child’s upper body and core.  These can be very calming and organizing for lots of our little pressure seekers!    

Tri County Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Charleston, Greenville

Have your child lay on his tummy to play games or watch a show.  This allows for maintained input through his upper body and encourages activation of his core which are both great forms of proprioceptive input! 

Tri County Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Charleston, Greenville

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Sensory Processing: Vestibular

April 12, 2019Tri-County TherapyBlogoccupational therapyOTpediatric therapyphysical therapysensory processing
Sensory Processing: Vestibular

Sensory Processing: Vestibular

The vestibular system is our sense of movement and the mechanisms that control the vestibular system are located in the inner ear.  Kiddos that display vestibular-seeking behaviors may be described as ‘always in constant motion’, ‘a thrill seeker’, or even ‘never gets dizzy.’  On the other hand, those that avoid vestibular input may be fearful of playground equipment, become carsick easily, or dislike being picked up. 

Tri County Therapy | Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Greenville, Charleston

Looking for some SAFE activities to provide your little wild one with the input he’s seeking?   Have your child hang upside down!  You can have them hang from monkey bars, hang their head off the couch, or hold them in your arms and tip them backwards.  Remember to only go as far as the child is comfortable. 

Tri County Therapy | Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Greenville, Charleston

 

If your little one is fearful, take it slow by having him try sitting on a large ball with his feet off the floor.  Will he tolerate some slow rocking?  Will he roll over the ball on his tummy?  Bouncing? 

Tri County Therapy | Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Greenville, Charleston 

Every sensory system is unique so be sure to take it slow and consult your OT for specific strategies that may work best for you! 

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Sensory Processing: Oral Sensory Seekers

April 5, 2019Tri-County TherapyBlogoccupational therapyOTpediatric therapyphysical therapysensory processing
Sensory Processing: Oral Sensory Seekers

Sensory Processing: Oral Sensory Seekers

Does your child tend to put everything in his mouth?  Likely, he is trying to calm himself with oral input but don’t worry- here are lots of safe strategies you can try at home to help him regulate! 

Be sure to offer chewy snacks throughout the day, including fruit snacks, gummies, or even chewing gum (if able to manage).  Crunchy foods such as pretzel sticks, carrots, and celery are all great options to provide heavy work through the jaw. 

  Tri County Therapy | Chew Toys, Oral Processing, Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy

Resistive sucking is a great strategy for providing oral proprioceptive input.  Try using a water bottle or even curly straws!  

Tri County Therapy | Chew Toys, Oral Processing, Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy

Blowing!  Have your child blow bubbles or have a cotton ball race with straws! 

Tri County Therapy | Chew Toys, Oral Processing, Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy

Chewelry is a great option if you find your child benefits from a readily available tool!

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