Sensory Regulation Tools

Sensory Regulation Tools

Sensory regulation tools include fidgets and sensory spaces/breaks. Fidgets are objects that can be manipulated by the student who craves movement and/or sensory input to help them remain on task and pay attention. Sensory spaces/breaks include areas where either passive or active sensory activities can take place.

When?

Fidgets are an effective way to manage classroom behavior for students who have trouble regulating sensory input and who can easily become distracted. A fidget is an object that the student can use to get this input in a less distracting way. Students who benefit from using fidgets may display the following behaviors:

• wiggling

• biting their nails

• body movement

• out of seat

• objects in mouth

• chewing on clothes

• sitting inappropriately

• asking to leave the class

• tapping feet

How?

The use of fidgets needs to be taught to students. The teacher explains to the student(s) why they need the fidget and how it is used (See “Sample Lesson”). When choosing fidgets for a student, it is important to consider safety and whether it is age-appropriate. It is important to have a variety of fidgets for student to choose from. Sometimes “fidget boxes” are created for individual students to store their selection of fidgets.

NOTE:

You need to teach the difference between a fidget versus a distractor. With younger and more cognitively impaired students, direct teaching may be necessary (See “Using Fidgets” social communication script). A possible mantra: “Fidgets are okay. If they become distractors, they get taken away”.

Types of Fidgets

A good fidget is one that is both effective at helping the student to concentrate and easily fit into a classroom environment.

Hand Fidgets

A hand fidget is a small object that is most often used during listening activities.

• squeeze balls (small, hand-held balls made of foam or filled with gel or sand)

• tangle toys

• rubber bands

• putty

• strip of velcro on underside of a student’s desktop

• small slinkies (cut so that they only strength out to 8-10 inches)

• doodling or coloring

Seat Fidgets

A seat fidget is a way to incorporate movement while the student remains in their seat.

• chair cushions (inflatable discs with texture, foam discs with texture)

• swivel chair

• chair on wheels

• stability ball instead of chair

Foot Fidgets

A foot fidget helps to incorporate movement while allowing the student to remain in their seat.

• stretch bands around front legs of chair

• foot rollers

Mouth Fidgets

Mouth fidgets are a great way to keep kids from chewing clothes, while letting them work through their chewing tendencies.

• water bottle

• hard or sour candy

• chewelry

• gum

Apps

• Coloco- Create designs with your fingers- free

• Pond - A calming activity- free

• Kaleidoscope- free

• Heat Pad- Colors on screen change with the heat of your hand- free

• BrainWorks App comes fully loaded with over 130 sensory activities (NOT free)

Books, Articles, and Resources