Sensory Integration Skills

1) Visual strategies and activities:

          Strategies to reduce sensitivity to light

• Use a lamp which is less visually stressful than overhead lights 

• Keep lights dimmed

• Wear lightly tinted sunglasses indoors when there are bright lights

• Wear sunglasses or a baseball cap outdoors           

  1. 1. 1. Activities:

• Play with lighted toys or pianos

• Look through kaleidoscopes, binoculars, or microscopes

• Watch colorful videos or movies as tolerated

          Strategies for visual distractions

• Create a barrier with cardboard when reading or writing to reduce visual distractions

• Reduce clutter in the workspace or room 

• Block or cover unnecessary information on a page or worksheet to reduce visual clutter

• Use black and white worksheets, not colored

• Use an easel or slant board to bring work visually closer

• Use darker lined paper for writing or high light lines using different colors, paper should be free of spots, smudges, etc.

• Trace around shapes or lines with a thick dark color that are to be colored in or cut out

  1. 1. 1. Activities:

           1. 1. • Play "flashlight tag" in a darkened room with flashlights

                 • Play catch with slow moving objects such as balloons or scarves

                 • Complete mazes, dot to dots, tracing or hidden pictures worksheets

                 • Scan through books, magazines or newspapers for objects or letters

                 • Complete puzzles

                 • Find items in a junk draw or cluttered room 

                 • Play I Spy games

2) Auditory strategies and activities:

          Strategies to reduce sensitivity to sound

• Use headphones or earplugs that reduce noise in loud situations, slowly remove as the begin to tolerate louder sounds

• Make sure child workspace is away from noise and commotion such as a door, air conditioner, sink, bathroom, etc.

• Prepare your child when you know a noisy situation may be coming

• 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Activities: 

                 • • • When listening to music or watching TV, slowly increase the volume to an acceptable level

                     • Slowly introduce background noise when doing work so they can become accustomed to it

                     • Play relaxation music with nature sounds, "white" noise or soothing music as tolerated

                     • Practice listening to loud noises: honking a horn, playing the drums, listen to a smoke alarm, fireworks 

                     • Play with musical instruments or musical toys, go from soft to loud

                     • Cook or bake using pots and pans, beaters, blenders, etc. as they can tolerate

                     • Have them help if appropriate or be near during outside chores as the can tolerate: mow the lawn, use the weed whacker or leaf blower

          Strategies for those who seek it out

• Provide auditory stimuli as background noise when completing tasks

  • 1. 1. Activities: 

          • • • Listen to books on tape

              • Play music with nature sounds or "white" noise in the background

              • Play with musical instruments or musical toys 

              • Cook or bake using pots and pans, beaters, blenders, etc. 

              • Wear headphones to listen to music when completing work for those seeking noise

              • Have them help if appropriate or be near during outside chores: mow the lawn, use the weed whacker or leaf blower

              • Listen to loud noises: honking a horn, playing the drums, listen to a smoke alarm, fireworks 

          Strategies to increase attentiveness to sound with auditory distractions

• Get the child's attention before speaking and speak slowly and clearly

• Give one instruction at a time, using physical or visual cues if needed

• Allow extra time for the child to process information and respond

• Remove excess noise that could be distracting when completing work

  1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Activities: 

                 • • • Read or listen to books on tape and ask questions about the story afterwards

                     • Give verbal instructions for chores and have them complete them

3) Olfactory strategies and activities: 

          Strategies to decrease sensitivity to smells

• Use tolerated scents that cover up undesired odors 

• Verbally prepare the child for smells he/she may encounter before hand

• Teach a strategy that can be used in intolerable situations (such as to use the pocket lotion)

• Look for unscented products if perfumes are intolerable 

1. Activities: 

   1. 1. • Apply a lotion or cream that the child likes under the nostrils prior to entering an undesirable environment

         • Provide pocket-sized lotion, cream or perfume that the child can pull out to mask a smell when needed

         • Use aromatherapy slowly over time in small doses to build a tolerance: lotions, candles, oils, diffusers

         • Invite them into the kitchen while you are cooking; talk about the different ingredients and smells

         • Take a "smelly walk" outside and talk about the odors of the flowers, grass, mulch, etc.

         • Use scented markers, playdoh or soap as tolerated

          Strategies for those who seek it out

• Provide activities with an odor that are appropriate 

• Show child other ways to explore an object if smelling is not appropriate

1. Activities: 

• • • • • • • Apply a lotion or cream that the child likes under the nostrils prior to entering an undesirable environment

            • Use aromatherapy: lotions, candles, oils, diffusers

            • Invite them into the kitchen while you are cooking; talk about the different ingredients and smells

            • Take a "smelly walk" outside and talk about the odors of the flowers, grass, mulch, etc.

            • Use scented markers, playdoh or soap

          Strategies to increase sensitivity to smells in order to discriminate between the odors

• Talk about odors or smells to make the child aware when doing activities

• Provide opportunities for them to smell and describe the odor

1. Activities: 

   1. 1. • Put a few drops of a scent (vanilla, lemon, peppermint, vinegar, etc.) onto 2 cotton balls for each scent; mix up the cotton balls and have child match the scents

         • Place familiar scented items under the nose of the child while blindfolded and have them guess what they are

         • Apply a lotion or cream

         • Invite them into the kitchen while you are cooking; talk about the different ingredients and smells

         • Use scented markers, playdoh or soap and talk about the odor

         • Use aromatherapy: lotions, candles, oils, diffusers and talk about the smells

         • Take a "smelly walk" outside and talk about the odors of the flowers, grass, mulch, etc.

4) Oral strategies and activities:

          Strategies to decrease sensitivity to tastes or textures of food

• Food play is a good way to introduce new food tastes and textures

• Prepare the face and mouth for eating before a meal by stroking a child's face with your fingers or have child do this

• Introduce new tastes, textures and temperatures gradually, only one new experience at a time

• Use a mirror when wiping their mouth and face after they have eaten so they can see what is happening

  1. 1. 1. Activities: 

           1. • • Hold a vibrating toy, Nuk brush or toothbrush around or in the mouth as tolerated

                • Rub with your fingers or a soft dry cloth around the mouth area, softly then increase pressure

                • Blow on whistles, harmonica, toy horn, blow bubbles or blow on toy windmills

                • Use straws to blow cotton balls or pompoms or make these crafty caterpillars to race!

                • Eat chewy foods: gummy bears, gum, oatmeal, peanut butter, soft bagels, tootsie rolls as tolerated

                • Eat crunchy foods: hard pretzels, carrots, celery sticks, crackers, cold cereal (without milk) as tolerated

          Strategies for those who seek it out

• Provide foods with a variety of flavors, textures and temperatures 

• Activities that make the mouth and surrounding structures work hard is helpful for an orally seeking child

• Show child other ways to explore an object if mouthing is not appropriate

• Provide appropriate items to replace inappropriate items that they may be chewing or mouthing

1. Activities: 

   1. 1. • Chew on rubber tubing or chewy tubes when needed, wear as a necklace so it is readily available

         • Blow on whistles, harmonica, toy horn, blow bubbles or blow on toy windmills

         • Use straws to blow cotton balls or pompoms or make these crafty caterpillars to race!

         • Blow bubbles in milk/juice with a straw

         • Use crazy straws

         • Make necklaces out of pop-corn, Cheerios, Fruit Loops, etc. to wear and eat 

         • Drink thick shakes, slushies, applesauce, pudding, etc. through a straw

         • Use a sports bottle with a rubber straw 

         • Eat crunchy foods: hard pretzels, carrots, celery sticks, crackers, cold cereal (without milk)

          Strategies to increase oral sensation and awareness 

• Prepare the face and mouth for eating before a meal by stroking a child's face with your fingers or have child do this

• Introduce new foods with different flavors, textures and temperatures and talk about them

• Use a mirror when wiping their mouth and face after they have eaten so they can see what is happening

1. Activities: 

   1. 1. • Hold a vibrating toy, Nuk brush or toothbrush around or in the mouth

         • Rub with your fingers of a soft dry cloth around the mouth area  

         • Blow on whistles, harmonica, toy horn, blow bubbles or blow on toy windmills

         • Use straws to blow cotton balls or pompoms or make these crafty caterpillars to race!

         • Blow bubbles in milk/juice with a straw

         • Drink thick shakes, slushies, applesauce, pudding, etc. through a straw

         • Use a sports bottle with a rubber straw 

         • Eat chewy foods: gummy bears, gum, oatmeal, peanut butter, soft bagels, tootsie rolls

         • Eat crunchy foods: hard pretzels, carrots, celery sticks, crackers, cold cereal (without milk)

5) Tactile strategies and activities:

          Strategies to decrease sensitivity to touch

• Begin by encouraging play in dry, non-messy textures rather then in wet or sticky textures.  If the child still won't touch anything, have him/her use containers to scoop and pour the materials. Gradually progress to soft, wet or sticky textures.

• When touching a tactile defensive child always approach from the front (no surprises) and use a firm touch, never a light touch

• In school or at home have defined personal spaces using carpet squares, tape on the floor, specific chair or room that the child can go to

  1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Activities: 

                 1. • • Create sensory bins, buckets or boxes: fill with bird seed, sand, beans, pasta, rice, packing peanuts etc. hide small toys or objects then use both hands to find them or practice pouring or scooping with spoons or sand shovels

                      • Play in a sandbox or at the beach with sand toys

                      • Play with playdoh, Crayola Model Magic or Moon Sand, Oobleck, slime, Goo, etc. as tolerated

                      • Water play in a small pool, bathtub, add soap for sudsy water or bubble or finger paint soap as tolerated

                      • Finger paint with paint, shaving cream, pudding, whipped cream etc. on a cookie sheet or smooth surface as tolerated

                      • Use a soft hair brush, surgical brush or corn silk brush to brush your child's arms and legs, allow them to do it first then progress to letting you brush him or her

                      • Draw with a vibrating pen as tolerated

                      • Read books with textures or use a sensory blanket

                      • Rub lotion onto arms, legs, hands, feet, etc.

                      • Knead dough, add raisins or chocolate bits to give it a lumpy texture as tolerated

          Strategies for those who seek it out

• Provide opportunity to explore items with different textures and temperatures as appropriate

• Show child other ways to explore an object if touching is not appropriate

• Provide appropriate items to replace inappropriate items that they may be touched or held

1. Activities: 

• • • • • • • Create sensory bins, buckets or boxes: fill with bird seed, sand, beans, pasta, rice, packing peanuts etc. hide small toys or objects then use both hands to find them

            • Play in a sandbox or at the beach with sand toys

            • Play with playdoh, Crayola Model Magic or Moon Sand, Oobleck, slime, Goo, etc.

            • Water play in a small pool, bathtub, add soap for sudsy water or bubble or finger paint soap 

            • Finger paint with paint, shaving cream, pudding, whipped cream etc. on a cookie sheet or smooth surface

            • Draw with a vibrating pen

            • Provide fidget toys, sensory blankets or books with textures

            • Rub lotion onto arms, legs, hands, feet, etc.

            • Knead dough, add raisins or chocolate bits to give it a lumpy texture

          Strategies to increase tactile sensation and awareness

• Provide new new tactile experiences with different textures and temperatures and talk about them

• Use a mirror when providing tactile input so they can see what is happening

  • • 1. Activities: 

         • • • Play this fun Stereognosis Game that teaches children how to use their sense of touch to find objects! Similar and smaller shapes will make it more challenging!

• Using objects around your house or outdoors notice various textures and states: soft vs hard, smooth vs rough, wet vs dry vs slimy, cold vs warm, small vs large, round vs cornered vs curvy, degrees of vibration, etc.

• Create sensory bins, buckets or boxes: fill with bird seed, sand, beans, pasta, rice, packing peanuts etc. hide small toys or objects then use both hands to find them

• Play in a sandbox or at the beach with sand toys

• Play with playdoh, Crayola Model Magic or Moon Sand, Oobleck, slime, Goo, etc.

• Water play in a small pool, bathtub, add soap for sudsy water or bubble or finger paint soap 

• Finger paint with paint, shaving cream, pudding, whipped cream etc. on a cookie sheet or smooth surface

• Draw with a vibrating pen

• Provide sensory blankets or books with textures

• Rub lotion onto arms, legs, hands, feet, etc.

• Knead dough, add raisins or chocolate bits to give it a lumpy texture

6) Vestibular strategies and activities:

           Strategies for children with decreased balance awareness or who seek out vestibular movement

• Children who are fearful of unsteady surfaces, start on level ground and increase the height slowly over time as the become more confident

• Children who seek our spinning or twirling may not know the appropriate time to stop and may need to be monitored so they don't over do it

  • • 1. Activities:

         • • • Play on playground equipment: swings, slides, seesaws, rock walls, ladders, floating bridges, ramps etc.

             • Playing volleyball with a light ball or balloon

             • Rock in a rocking chair, swing or hammock

             • Ride a bike or scooter

             • Sit 'N Spin

             • Do somersaults or cartwheels

             • Ride a merry-go-round or play spinning games like "Ring Around the Rosy" 

             • Complete obstacle courses using step stools, boxes, bubble wrap, pillows, cushions that you have to walk or crawl over

             • Scooter board sitting or lying on belly

             • Rolling down a grassy hill

             • Going up and down stairways

7) Proprioceptive strategies and activities:

          Strategies for children with decreased body awareness or who seek out proprioceptive input

• "Heavy work" is any gross motor activity that involves moving against resistance to provide deep pressure into the muscles and joints of the body. These activities can help organize all of the senses, reducing hyperactivity in some children (calming) or engage others who may appear listless, tired or floppy (arousing).

• Children who seek out rough play or crashing activities may not have good safety awareness and may need to be monitored during certain activities. Offer safe appropriate activities as alternatives when necessary.

  • • 1. Activities:

         • • • Play on playground equipment: swings, slides, seesaws, rock walls, ladders, floating bridges, ramps etc.

             • Do Animal and bug walks

             • Playing catch with a heavy ball

             • Pulling a wagon filled with toys or other items

             • Do chores: sweep the floor, vacuum, carry out the trash or carry a laundry basket

             • Jump with a jump rope or on a trampoline or sit and bounce on a large exercise ball

             • Go for a hike or run especially up hill

             • Sit on pillows or a ball to complete homework

             • Play with vibrating toys or pens

             • Wear a heavy backpack 

             • Push a shopping cart 

             • Rake and pick up leaves or shovel snow

             • Kneading dough or mixing batter with a spoon

             • Play tug of war, wheel barrow walks, or chair pushups

             • Use weighted garments, blanket or weighted lap toys

             • Give deep "bear" hugs or massages

             • Squeeze clay, playdoh or therapy putty

             • Wrap child up tightly in a blanket or large towel