Tag Archive for: sensory processing disorder

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.

Does my child have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

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Exploring Sensory Processing in Children with Autism

Aisling Hagan, MA, and Clinical Resident at Bright Behavior Inc.

Have you ever noticed your child gag when eating certain textures? Or prefer for the lights to be off in the room? Or even cover their ears outside, even though you didn’t hear anything? 

Individuals impacted by Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can rarely detect what sensory stimuli are affecting them and how. However, with a bit of information about SPD, you can be aware of what may be impacting their senses and how to help support them.

sensory processing

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory Processing includes the brain’s ability to process sensory information (stimuli). Common sensory information includes things we hear, see, smell, taste, or touch. Those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) generally display a sensitivity to stimuli that others cannot relate to. 

A common misconception regarding SPD is that the individual impacted by it will overreact when in contact with nonpreferred sounds, textures, and tastes; however, those impacted by SPD can also underreact. For example, a child may seem to have a high tolerance for pain or not appear to notice others in a crowded room. It is possible for an individual affected by SPD to have oversensitivity, undersensitivity, or a blend of the two.

How does this impact my child?

Over-sensitive

Those who are considered over-sensitive will be noticeably agitated by:

  • Sounds – loud airplanes, trains, or things in the far distance that cause them to cover their ears
  • Bright lights
  • Textures of clothes – resistance to rough or specific textures, favoring softer textures
  • Textures of Food – rigidity in diet choices, such as only eating crunchy foods

It is common for children with SPD to become overstimulated, increasing the display of tantrums, social isolation, or rigidity. 

Under-sensitive

Those who are considered under-sensitive will appear to be disconnected from societal expectations. These individuals are likely to be:

  • Hyper-active – seek stimulation through jumping, spinning, mouthing inappropriate items
  • Can sometimes experience difficulty with sleeping
  • Minimal or no reaction to pain – doesn’t notice when they stub their toe or skin their knee

How can I help my child?

Rethink Stereotypy

Have you ever tapped your foot while anxiously waiting in the doctor’s office? Twirled your hair around your finger while making a phone call? Or tapped your pen on the edge of the table while attending a meeting? These are all behaviors we engage in to help us focus, similar to the stereotypy we see in those with autism.

While hand flapping, doing a quick spin, lining up toys, or reciting their favorite commercial under their breath may catch a few glances, your child is likely attempting to regulate their sensory processing system. “Stereotypies can be a visible read-out of a person’s state of being, both negative and positive” (McCarty and Brumback, 2021).

Studies show that stereotypies increase following a trigger. However, people can also engage in stereotypies when happy. It is safe to say that stimming can aid an individual who may suffer from SPD by organizing their thoughts, helping them focus, or getting rid of excess energy. 

Be Proactive

Read your child’s body language to identify specific sounds, textures, etc., that they are especially sensitive to. For example, if your child is showing sensitivity to loud noises, purchasing noise-canceling headphones to wear when they are exposed to loud noises can make a monumental difference. If your child is showing a great interest in being stimulated by textures, purchase texture tiles or other sensory-fulfilling items.

Reach out to Your Pediatrician

If you think your child may have SPD, it is best to contact your pediatrician. They may give you a formal diagnosis and connect you with an occupational therapist. 

References

McCarty, M. J., & Brumback, A. C. (2021). Rethinking Stereotypies in Autism. Seminars in pediatric neurology, 38, 100897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spen.2021.100897

Medical Home Portal – Sensory Processing/Integration Disorder. https://www.medicalhomeportal.org/clinical-practice/common-issues-for-cyshcn/sensory-processing-integration-disorder

Medical home portal – sensory processing/integration disorder. https://www.medicalhomeportal.org/clinical-practice/common-issues-for-cyshcn/sensory-processing-integration-disorder