Tag Archive for: sensory box

sensory activities autism

Spring Break Sensory Activities for Your Child with Autism

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Spring Break is around the corner. If you don’t have plans get away, you may want to do some fun sensory activities at home with your child. Here are some ideas to keep sensory kids engaged and learning. 

Sight-Based Sensory Activities & Touch-Based Sensory Activities 

Outdoor activities that emphasize visual experiences, like scavenger hunts, can be a blast, especially for children with autism focused on sensory engagement. They offer chances to enhance both receptive and expressive language skills. Also, scavenger hunts promote exploration and can be tailored to various communication abilities. You can create spring-themed sensory bins filled with vibrant items such as pebbles, plants, plastic bugs, and pastel sprinkles for indoor visual sensory play. These bins are not only entertaining but also help in developing senses, motor skills, and social interactions. They can be particularly beneficial for kids who struggle with sensory regulation and can help lessen sensitivities to certain textures. 

sensory activities autism   

Chalk Art.

Another idea is to use sidewalk chalk, which gives kids with autism a fun way to express themselves and work on their fine motor skills. It’s a great mix of creativity, sensory play, and physical growth, letting them draw some shapes and colors.

sensory activities autism

Smell-Based Sensory Activities

Kids with autism can benefit from activities focusing on smell, as they offer a chance to explore their senses and get their olfactory system working. Getting into different scents around them can be a great way to engage their sense of smell. You can encourage them to sniff various aromas in places like nature, at home, or while out and about. For example, taking a stroll through a garden or park lets them enjoy the smells of flowers, trees, and grass. You could also try using scented candles or essential oils with different fragrances at home or even take a trip to a bakery to enjoy those delicious baking smells.

Taste-Based Sensory Activities 

You can set up a guessing game for taste-focused activities where kids taste various items, such as fresh fruits, chocolates, pretzels, leafy greens, carrots, raisins, or mint. Chatting about the different smells and flavors helps kids learn to identify tastes like salty, sweet, bitter, and sour, which boosts their language skills and executive function. 

sensory activities autism

Sound-Based Sensory Activities 

Spring is a great time to dive into sound-based sensory activities. These fun activities can boost fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and language development, making them both enjoyable and beneficial. One easy and entertaining sound-based sensory project is making Easter egg shakers. All you need are plastic Easter eggs or small containers and some filling materials like rice, beans, lentils, rocks, pebbles, marbles, sand, Legos, or beads, and the kids can help you create these. Then encourage them to listen to the different sounds each shaker makes. You can also use phrases like “above your head,” “behind your back,” and “under your legs” to help them learn about prepositions.

sensory activities autism

References

Dr. S. Vishnu Priya. (2020). Olfactory Activities for Kids with Autism – AutiSpark. https://www.autispark.com/olfactory-activities-for-kids-with-autism/ 

Adam Goodrich. (2020). 5 Fun Springtime Sensory Activities to Engage All Your Senses! 

https://www.coraphysicaltherapy.com/five-fun-springtime-sensory-activities-to-en gage-all-your-senses/

 

Stephanie Alvarez, RBT, is in the BCBA Apprentice Program at BrightPath Behavior and works at the clinic in Katy, TX. Upon her initial introduction to the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA), she confessed she had little understanding of the subject. However, with the guidance of an exceptional mentor, Stephanie quickly became acquainted with the principles of ABA. This experience ignited a passion in her, mainly because she recognized the profound impact that being an ABA therapist can have on clients.

Creating a Sensory Box for Your Child with Autism: A Holiday Season Activity

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The holiday season is often a whirlwind of activities, from cooking festive feasts to wrapping presents and decorating the house. Amidst the hustle and bustle, finding activities that keep your child engaged and happy can be a challenge, especially for parents of children with autism. 

Crafting a sensory box is one way to provide a soothing and stimulating experience for your child.

sensory box

What is a Sensory Box?

A sensory box is a container filled with various materials to stimulate the senses – touch, sight, sound, smell, and sometimes taste. It serves as a safe space for children with autism to explore and engage their senses in a controlled environment.

How to Create a Sensory Box:

  1. Choose the Right Container: Select a container that suits your child’s preferences. It can be a plastic bin, a shoebox, or any container with a lid that can be easily opened and closed.
  2. Fill it with Sensory Materials: Here are some suggestions for sensory materials to include:
    • Textures: Consider items with different textures like smooth stones, soft fabrics, squishy toys, or scratchy items like carpet or Velcro.
    • Visual Stimulation: Add items that are visually appealing, such as glitter, kaleidoscopes, colorful scarves, or shiny objects.
    • Auditory Stimuli: Incorporate items that produce various sounds like bells, chimes, musical toys, or a small rainstick.
    • Scents: Introduce scented items like lavender sachets, citrus peels, scented markers, or essential oil-infused cotton balls (ensure safety and avoid strong scents).
    • Taste (if suitable): If your child enjoys exploring tastes, you can include safe snacks like flavored rice crackers, dried fruits, or chewy snacks (consider any dietary restrictions or allergies).

       3. Personalize It: Tailor the sensory box according to your child’s preferences. You know your child best, so include items that align with their interests and sensory needs.

Benefits of a Sensory Box:

  • Calming Effect: A sensory box can provide a calming effect, helping to reduce anxiety and stress.
  • Sensory Exploration: Encourages exploration and stimulates the senses in a controlled and safe environment.
  • Independent Play: It promotes independent play, giving parents valuable time to attend to holiday tasks.

You know your child best, so customize this to their interests, preferences, and abilities. Also, if your child engages in pica, mouthing, or other potentially dangerous activities, make sure you provide appropriate supervision.

Incorporating a sensory box into your child’s routine during the holiday season can be a rewarding experience. It offers a moment of respite for parents and an engaging and enjoyable activity for children with autism.

Remember, every child is unique, so observe and adjust the sensory box contents based on what brings comfort and joy to your child.

Happy holidays filled with sensory exploration!

Reference:

Refer to “The Out-of-Sync Child” by Carol Kranowitz for additional inspiration and ideas. This book offers valuable insights into sensory processing issues and practical suggestions for creating sensory-rich environments for children.

For more blog articles from ABA Connect on surviving the holidays check out: How to Cope with Holiday Stress, Make a Plan to Avoid Santa Trauma, and Holiday Planning that Makes Room for Autism.