Furniture, large play equipment, heavy items etc or items marked with **may incur an additional delivery charge to Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Offshore Islands and some parts of Scotland. Gentle pressure affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which regulates heart rate, breathing, and other significant bodily functions. Proprioception is one of our 8 senses that has receptors all throughout our joints and muscles. Those receptors send signals to the brain anytime they’re squeezed or activated through pressure. Many kids that are sensory seekers love proprioceptive input which they get when they climb, jump, run, squeeze into a tight space, or hug somebody. Reach arms up and out diagonally, keeping feet wider than shoulder-width apart to form a kind of star shape.

First, you have to know these should never be used for infants or toddlers. Even though they are made to be as safe as possible, they are designed for children who are at least 4 years old or so. They also help some kids calm down for sleep at night, so using one as part of your bedtime routine might also be helpful. Much like the others on this guide, you’ll find a Smart Snap closure, which is much more efficient and less irritating than Velcro alternatives which can scratch the skin and pull hair. However, it’s still secure enough to allow for resistance and excessive movement. Tactile inputis received through our skin. It includes light touch, firm touch, and the discrimination of different textures, including dry to wet and messy. The tactile system is also responsible for the processing of pain and temperature. Tactile input can be alerting, calming, or over-stimulating, depending on the person. Sensory Swing– These are a load of fun, but also offer vestibular and proprioceptive input to stimulate your child’s senses and help them to relax. SummaryNylon, on the other hand, does not offer much stretch; but it does add a bit of durability which is why you’ll often see Lycra or Spandex blended with it. Challenge yourself to Twister! Pretend to be a popcorn kernel and start by curling up into a kernel (ball) and “pop” out all 4 limbs when you hear the ‘word of the day’ or when the music stops, etc. 7) Races Weighted Blanket – These are perfect if your child has autism and needs that extra sensory input. These typically weigh 15 pounds or more and create a very calming effect.

Individuals are usually not over-responsive to proprioception, meaning they don't have over-reactions to this type of sensory input. We do, however, see individuals who are under-responsive or sensory craving, meaning they want more heavy work, crashing, hugs, etc. Your child doesn’t always have to be active to receive benefits, either. Many children love crawling inside just to calm down. It is recommended, however, that they be monitored while using it. Some individuals become easily over-stimulated by vestibular input. This can cause adverse reactions such as nausea/vomiting or irritability (among others). Some individuals seek vestibular input - constantly on the move, seeking out opportunities to spin and jump. Try the “Superman”: Lie on your stomach on the floor, stretching your arms in front of you, lifting them up off the surface as you simultaneously lift your legs off the floor. Add another element to animal movements like bear walking, crab walk/scuttle, slithering like snakes, and hopping like a bunny.Sew up the 2 long edges. You’ll need a needle for your sewing machine which can cope with stretchy fabric. To learn more about using sensory activities to help your child calm and focus, take our free workshop here (includes a workbook)! There are other ways to offer this type of sensory input. You can use various sensory toys for autism so your child doesn’t get bored or receives the best experience possible. Covering the child’s arms, shoulders, legs, and feet, it’s designed to offer deep pressure stimulation. This stimulation encourages focus, and a sense of calmness that is perfect if your child is dealing with ADHD, autism, or other spatial sensory challenges. If you feel they need that extra bit of resistance, then you can go down a size or a couple inches. If you want them to get more use out of it and not outgrow it within a year, then go up in size. If you have any doubts, simply look at the manufacturer’s sizing guide where they lay out height and age in relation to their sizes. Fabric

If you want to use it year-round, then it needs to be cool and lightweight enough for use in the summertime, too. Closures Expand a movement activity on a swing or suspended equipment in an OT office to involve several sensory systems at once. 4) Pretend Practice partner yoga or with a friend in front of the mirror and try to copy each other’s poses! 3) Motor Activities Some kids that seek proprioceptive input don’t seem to process it well. The reason we have a proprioceptive sense is to give us body awareness. Body awareness is understanding where our arm or leg is without having to look. It allows us to walk across a room full of furniture and not bump into anything. Sensory Blanket – These have been used for years by many occupational therapists to help regulate emotions or behavior. They offer deep pressure therapy similar to what weighted blankets do.

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Whichever you decide on, just make sure it is soft and breathable. You do not want anything scratchy against your child’s skin as it can cause even more irritation. Breathability is important to let air in and out, as it’s likely your child will be active while using it. Squat as low to the ground as possible, keeping your body curled up and compact. Then move into a standing position as slow as you can – almost like you’re “blooming” or coming out of your cocoon!

P.S. If you have any questions or comments about any of my resources, I’d love to hear from you! You can reach me at [email protected] Designed for compression, the nylon and spandex blend is just a bit tighter than the others in this guide. However, if your child needs the added resistance, this is an excellent option and made for more active play times. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear. This system is directly related to balance and vision - specifically eye movements. Because of the location in the inner ear, the vestibular system is activated with head movements. When the head moves, the eyes move, and the brain and body must respond - balance!

Stretchy, resistant walls provide a tactile means of self-referencing that improves body image and sensory integration. An occupational therapist can engage a client actively in a specific, therapeutically designed treatment activity; or it can be offered at home in a dramatic play area for dress-up. When we think about proprioceptive movement, we can also include heavy work - any movement that works the muscles, deep pressure - any input that provides pressure to our body, and vibration. Proprioceptive input is typically calming to the nervous system.