Sensory Activities for Children.pptx

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The Need For Sensory Activities

• Children with autism can be sensitive to the
  smallest changes in their routine and/or
  environment.
• This sensitivity often leads to a sensory
  overload which can cause -
• ? Anxiety
• ? Irritability
• ? Restlessness
• ? Behavioral changes
• At Plexus, our therapists design sensory
  activities that can help these little ones feel
  less overwhelmed and anxious.

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Benefits Of Sensory Activities

• Benefits of sensory activities
• Sensory activities can help your child -
• ? Regulate their emotions
• ? Develop language skills
• ? Improve their motor skills and coordination
• Engaging in sensory play helps in creating more
  neural pathways which help the child process
  sensory information.

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How To Identify A Sensory Overload?

• A sensory overload occurs when one or more of the
  five senses is overstimulated to the extent that
  the individual is unable to cope with the
  stimuli. It can trigger extreme symptoms in
  children with autism.
• Watch out for these signs
• Muscle tension
• Elevated heart rate
• Irritability
• Anxiety and fear
• Excessive sweating
• Covering ears or eyes to block out the stimulus
• Restlessness
• Not wanting to be approached or touched
• Intent to cause self-harm

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What Is Sensory Play?

• Sensory play stimulates the five senses.
• It allows for lots of sensorial explorations,
  especially through the use of hands and feet.
• Simple sensory activities at home, in the
  classroom, or even outdoors can introduce young
  toddlers to different kinds of textures, smells,
  flavors, etc.
• Soft play areas provide ample sensory stimulation
  and opportunities for gross motor refinement.

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Fun Sensory Activities For Your Little Ones

• Finger/foot painting
• Spread out art paper on the floor (youll get
  rolls of these in stationery shops).
• Set up a few tubs/palettes of color, and ask your
  child to dip them fingers/feet in.
• Be sure to use child-safe paints. You can put
  food colors in yogurt to make edible paints.
• Always supervise

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Sensory Bins

• Take a large container/tub. Add fillers and props
  based on the theme of the bin.
• Choice of fillers colored rice (you can DIY
  this), shaving foam paints, attadals, slime,
  kinetic sand
• Sample sensory bins sea animal figurines, blue
  pebbles, small rocks, etc. can be added to an
  underwater theme bin insect figurines,
  child-safe tweezers, attabrown paindals can be
  added to a insect exploration bin
• Sensory bins with edible items can also make for
  various kinds of taste explorations.

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Painting With Food

• Painting with food
• Paint with foods like chocolate sauce, tomato
  puree, food color and yogurt, and other squishy
  foods. This activity is also great for enhancing
  fine motor skills.
• Ice/Jelly rescue
• Add blocks, animal figurines, baby cutlery in a
  bowl/ice-tray filled with water/jelly.
  Freeze.Give your child a child-safe hammer and
  ask them to rescue their buddies.

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DIY Pouring Station

• Use a teapoy or low table that is at your childs
  height. Cover the top of the table with a water
  absorbent sheet.
• Youll need
• 1 large tray, or 2 medium sized trays OR 4-5
  containers and glasses with water
• 2-3 spoons, ladles droppers, and scoops.
• Let the pouring begin.
• You can make it more fun by adding food colors,
  animal figurines, foam letters, etc. to the
  water.

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Other Sensory Activities That Require Low Prep

• ? Gardening
• ? Ball pits
• ? Singing

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Changes You Can Make At Home To Reduce Sensory
Overload For Your Child

• ? Noise-canceling headphones
• ? Tagless clothes in soft and breathable fabric
• ? Dimmer lights
• ? Weighted blankets and jackets

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Keep In Mind!

• If your child goes to school, educate the teacher
  on how the child should be prepared in advance
  for classroom interventions like fire drills.
• Alternate caregivers must also be made aware of
  the childs specific needs and what should be
  done in particular situations.

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Empowering Children with Autism Comprehensive
Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration at
Plexus

• At Plexus, our team of experienced and
  compassionate occupational therapists will help
  you set specific goals and devise a therapy plan
  for your child with autism and sensory issues.
• Lets help your child to -
• Develop and enhance their fine motor skills
• Improve gross motor skills
• Foster independence in activities of daily living
• Improve social and play skills
• Improve communication skills
• We also offer sensory integration therapy.