Sensory Tools!!

Today I would like to share with you some of the sensory tools that have really helped my son regulate his body to be able to calm the areas that required more sensory input. There are so many different tools out there and different websites that can help you find tools that will help your child not only at home but at school. One thing that we realized is that even though the occupational therapists focus for our son would have been hand writing, our son's school offers consultation available to any child that has a need. Every school is different, but it would be a great place to start if your child in enrolled in public education. They provided seat cushions, stretch bands for their chairs, lap weights, weighted vests (not easy to come by) and for students on an IEP (indivualized education plan-more on that later) there was time in the sensory room which carried swings, padded mats, and the like.
Finding the right tools really depends on your child's sensory needs, and chances are you already know what those needs are because they are the things your child naturally gravitates towards. For example, my son had a high oral sensory needs, so he put everything in his mouth to chew on. It was not because it tasted good (or maybe it was, we will never know) but it was meeting a need in his mouth. Imagine your teeth when you are on a bumpy road, or if you are sitting on something that makes your teeth chatter and all you can do is clench down to make it stop. This is similar to how my son was feeling, almost like a teeth itch that needs to be scratched. Each child has different needs and different tools they love. I listed a few below to give you an idea of what I mean. Most of these tools I purchased were found on Amazon. Take a look!

 www.sensoryuniversity.org
I googled several tools I had heard were working for other children, this store has so many I haven't even purchased as many things as I would like, so be careful (or just get carried away, why not) and have fun!

Fidgits:
This is just one possibility. Be aware they come apart, so not good for children under 3 yrs. of age. They move and pull apart, and put back together, make one big circle, etc...and the list goes on. These are great tools for the constant fiddler (especially when needing to sit still and those little hands need things to do!

This one does not come apart and makes all kids of different shapes.

Seating pads:
This tool helped our son stay seated at the dinner table, and when he started going to school he would keep it at his desk. They can wiggle, and sway but mostly stay in the seat! Sometimes that is our only goal, right?!


Lycra!!!
One of my favorites, if you have the room, this is the ultimate fun for our sensory seekers, and even the avoiders love these, because it's based on their control and it's not a light feathery touch (which is often irritating rather than comforting)
Here is what I would love to have for my son (if I only had a sensory room!)
The key is to layer these, and have safety hooks, etc. There are some with a tighter knit that resists against the body more and they are layered tighter weave to more loose weave. My son had access to these at his OT services (outside of the school). He would climb in and out of each layer or just lay in the middle of all three. This was like a climbing hike for him and a full body pressure. As long a a hammock has a hugging feel that would also be an easy option to install in the home.

Hanging bars:

This is a good option for a hanging bar, but most kids are not able to reach without the help of an adult. That being said, if you have a bar low enough for them to reach, chances are you will hit your head or body on it. This was a later option that we tried, and it works well, but only with adult help (so not as ideal). I am still in search of a kid friendly option that will work best.

Bouncing:


The mini trampoline was the greatest investment to help our son get out the energy he needed and as I stated before to stimulate all the spinal vertebrae. (This activates the body enough to stimulate nerves to activate the brain that the body is being exercised.) You can get these used to save money, so start at your local craigslist.

This one is a bit larger, so make sure the one you to fit your child's needs. It also has a bar that my son used to love hanging on.

Manipulatives:
This one will be based on your child's interests. My son loves puzzles (problem solving the shapes within the shape) so here are some things he loved.

My son loved being on a rocking chair and playing this, it was very calming for him (better than a video game! More on that later)

Magic putty, or hand putty is a great tool. We used to bring these to the restaurant with us. They have ones without eye balls, but this one is our favorite. There are ones with glitter in them (and it stays in the putty), toys in them, and it's not like playdough that gets everywhere.






If you are okay with clay, then that is also a great tool for those creative builders of ours. I would recommend the white/tan colored clay. It's cheaper, and you don't have to worry about dye affects (I'll explain another time).

Most importantly is finding the tool that best fits your child's need.

My son in his current favorite sensory input tool.

More resources:
Seat pad
http://www.quill.com/cando-vestibular-disc-14-red/cbs/437991.html?hidedisruptive=1&cm_mmc=SEM_PLA_OS_437991&mcode=SEM_PLA_OS_437991&gclid=CjwKEAjwkJfABRDnhbPlx6WI4ncSJADMQqxdNGJD62xYaL_K83MI5yDghxppjRbhD_7apZkR02OVFBoCaKvw_wcB
Lycra bed sheet (great for those who like to be wrapped up like a hot dog-my son)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/241167119/lycra-sheet-compression-sheet-stretch?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-bedding-sheets_and_pillowcases&utm_custom1=6df8a864-9ada-45cd-a881-d93e3b6c8ed8&gclid=CjwKEAjwkJfABRDnhbPlx6WI4ncSJADMQqxdbzKZQ1gfvHbytsIo_radQU_lTbEXN5_iZRlBUui85RoCeGHw_wcB
Make your own weighted blanket (It's not as hard as you think)
http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2016/08/23/diy-weighted-blanket/
My Pinterest Sensory board:
https://www.pinterest.com/ambersalad/sensory-childautism/