Occupational Therapy (OT)Parent WorkshopOur Lady of Good Counsel

Practical Sensory Strategies for Home and School

Karen Barry 20th November 2012

Overview of Workshop Overview of Workshop Role of the Occupational Therapist (OT)Sensory ProcessingPractical strategies/activities that you can

carry out at home.

Role of the Occupational Therapist Role of the Occupational Therapist Working with Children with Special Working with Children with Special

NeedsNeedsAims to maximise the child’s

participation in age related occupations

Childhood occupations: School/AcademicSelf- carePlay/leisure

3 areas that are assessed by 3 areas that are assessed by the OTthe OT

Sensory ProcessingGross motor skillsFine motor skills

and how a child’s performance of these 3 factors influences their ability to

learn and play.

7 senses7 senses

touch

taste

sound

vision

smell BalanceBody awareness

What is Sensory What is Sensory Integration/Sensory Integration/Sensory

Processing?Processing?

The brain’s ability to effectively process information from our bodies and the which makes it possible to use our bodies effectively within the environment.

Information from our 7 senses goes to the brain, where it is organised and interpreted. As a result, plan of action is carried out in response e.g. when a feather tickles your hand you brush it off.

Sensory processing Sensory processing

Affect of sensory processing Affect of sensory processing on alertnesson alertness

Break symbolBreak symbol

Your Sensory Checklist Your Sensory Checklist

What are your sensory preferences?What calms you?What energises/stresses you?

3 most important senses for 3 most important senses for regulation and development regulation and development

of motor skillsof motor skills

Tactile (touch: light touch and deep pressure)

Vestibular (movement and balance)Proprioception (heavy muscle work and

body awareness)

Tactile SystemTactile SystemLight touch versus deep pressure touchStimulating/alerting Vs calming

Activities that provide Activities that provide enhancedenhanced tactile tactile (touch) sensation(touch) sensation (usually alerting) (usually alerting)

Sensory walks (walk on textured mats, into containers of sand, rice etc) ‘Goopy play’: dry: rice, sand, peas, lentils: hide little items inside to find, playdough

Wet: shaving foam, finger painting etc Feelie bag (bag with different textures inside) feel book etc. Fidget basket (spiky balls, textured toys, pot scrubber, sandpaper, velcro etc), different textured fabrics, e.g. velvet, corduroy, fleece, sponges feathers...) Home activities: Cooking, baking, bathtime and gardening activities: get your hands messy! Vibration: battery operate toothbrush, foot spa, electric massager

Deep Pressure activities Deep Pressure activities (usually calming)(usually calming)

Massage: body, head, hand, footWrap up in blankets. Towel after the shower etcHeavy blankets, duvet, ball blanketHugs, squeezes, squishes in large beanbagTight, snug clothing, under garments etc.

Vestibular SystemVestibular System

The vestibular system is our balance and movement sense. It tells us where our body is in relation to gravity, whether it is moving and how fast. It is important for posture, muscle tone and bilateral coordination.

Activities that provide Activities that provide enhancedenhanced Vestibular sensation Vestibular sensation (usually alerting)(usually alerting) Gym ball/peanut ball: Belly on the ball, hoppy ball Rocking chair, spinning office chair Playground equipment e.g. swing,roundabouts. Trampoline, mini trampette jumping hopping Skipping rolling O.T. Equipment: balance board, scooter board, air

cushion.

ProprioceptionProprioception

Proprioception is the sense that gives us awareness of body position. Messages from the proprioceptors in the muscles and tendons let us know about our body position and force of movement.

Activities that provide Activities that provide enhanced enhanced proprioception proprioception (usually regulating)(usually regulating)

Use activities that encourage child to push, pull, or carry heavy loads i.e., heavy work for the muscles.

Stretching: Stretchy scooby, Theraband, theraputty Squeezing; fidget toys, stress ball, self squeeze Push ups: chair desk of wall, push 5’s Weight bearing: bear, crab, wheelbarrow walks Playground equipment: e.g. Climbing frame, monkey bars Pulling: Tug of War, see saw sit ups (row the boat) Crawling: tunnels, obstacle course, commando crawl etc Crashing: rough and tumble, crash pad etc Heavy Jobs at home or at school- Carrying: books, backpack etc-watering plants, hoovering, mixing dough- opening doors for others- lifting: laundry basket-organising classroom space e.g. moving furniture Alternate positions for activities e.g. kneeling, standing and lying.

Note re sensory activitiesNote re sensory activitiesImportant: The above activities provide enhanced sensory input:

your child may not tolerate sensory input and hence need less. This may be a learning curve for you and your child. What calms/alerts your child? What if anything does your child seek/avoid? How can you use this information to help him/her in everyday activities?

Therefore: Do provide your child with the opportunities for sensory

exploration but never force your child into a sensory activity. Follow your child’s lead: See what your child gravitates

towards (does he/she initiate?) Do add in motivators to encourage the child to engage Offer choices What is your child able to do? What do you need to do to teach

them/help them do an activity?

A word on oral motor activities A word on oral motor activities (usually regulating)(usually regulating)

Tactile and proprioceptive:ChewingBitingLickingBlowingCrunching Sucking

Safe things to chew including foods of various textures and resistance.

How to support your child in the How to support your child in the communitycommunity

Proprioceptive input:◦ Chewy and crunchy foods◦ Chewy tubes and ‘chewellery’ ◦ Carry a bag pack◦ Heavy shoes◦ Carrying groceries◦ Pushing trolley, buggy etc◦ Fidgets

Ear muffs for noise Sunglasses for brought sunlight and lights Movement break before going out to raise muscle tone/alertness Breaks from overwhelming environments On the spot breaks: push 5’s squeezes, etc.

How can you support your child How can you support your child to:to:

Do their homework?Sit for mealtimes?Wind down for bed?Tolerate hair and nail cutting?Calm down after playtime?Get some energy in the morning?

Any Questions??Any Questions??