Sensory Processing Challenges (SPC)
Intermediate Strategies: Ideas for Changes at Home*
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This handout has suggestions for parents to help increase or reduce sensations for your child who has challenges with sensory input. *Make sure your child is safe at all times. If you have any questions about safety or if something is right for your child, ask your therapist.
Ways to help your child notice sensation – low registration
Movement
- Play catch with a heavy ball.
- Have your child do somersaults. They may need your help.
- Engage with your child in activities that involve pushing, pulling, jumping, and climbing.
Touch
- Make a “burrito.” Roll your child in a blanket and press firmly on their arms, legs, and back.
- Dress your child in textured clothing (cotton, wool, fleece) or tight-fitting clothing (Lycra shirts).
- Offer vibrating objects and toys.
Seeing
- Put your child’s food on plates with colors and patterns.
- Ask your child to find objects and animals at the park or zoo.
Hearing
- Make sounds that you and your child hear (cars, trains, animals).
- Play with musical instruments or toys that make sounds.
- Verbally describe to your child what they are seeing, feeling, hearing, and touching.
Ways to help your child get more or enough sensation – sensation seeking
Movement
- Have your child do somersaults.
- Rock your child in a rocking chair.
- Engage with your child in activities that involve pushing, pulling, jumping, and climbing.
Touch
- Have your child play on sand, mud, grass, carpet, or tile floor.
- Have your child touch fabrics in your closet (satin, velvet, fleece, denim, Velcro).
- Offer vibrating toys and objects.
Seeing
- Prepare foods with lots of colors.
- Go places where there are lots of people and things to do.
- Play with puzzles and colorful toys or toys that light up.
Hearing
- Listen to music with lots of instruments/beats.
- Sing along to songs your child likes in the car or other places. This can be a multisensory song that includes movement, sight, and sound.
Ways to help your child limit sensation – sensory sensitivity
Movement
- Create routines for dressing, mealtime, bathing, and grooming. Give them choices, to help them control the sensory input.
- Model and encourage simple movements they can practice and repeat.
- If pushing your child on a swing, allow your child time to get their body ready. Use a countdown “3, 2, 1, here we go!”
Touch
- Have your child wear form-fitting seamless clothing. Seams in socks and T-shirts with tags often cause issues.
- Let your child hold a favorite blanket or toy during outings.
- When you brush their teeth or clip their nails, count, or sing a song to let them know when the activity will be over.
Seeing
- Reduce clutter in your child’s play area.
- Use a plate with sections, so the foods do not touch.
- Use car window shades when driving.
Hearing
- Use ear plugs, headphones, or muffs to block out noises.
- Try not to be in loud, public places for too long.
- Use coated or plastic utensils to reduce noise.
Ways to help your child feel more comfortable with sensation – sensation avoiding
Movement
- Create routines for dressing, mealtime, bathing, and grooming.
- Help them explore different physical activities they may enjoy.
- Incorporate preferred toys or stuffed animals in movement play.
Touch
- Avoid touching your child lightly or when they are not looking.
- Allow your child to choose clothing that does not bother them. When possible, buy more of their favorites to keep clean.
- Have your child wear clothing that fits well, not too loose.
Seeing
- Avoid crowded places.
- De-clutter your child’s play space and room.
- Avoid bright and fluorescent lights.
Hearing
- Try to limit the amount of background noises/sounds in your home or when your child is eating or sleeping.
- Wear headphones or earplugs in loud places.
- Keep the windows closed when driving or on a bus.
Where can I learn more?
- Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges Mona Delahook, 2019.
- Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, Revised and Updated Edition Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske, 2009.
- Self-Reg: How to Help Your Child (and You) Break the Stress Cycle and Successfully Engage With Life, Stuart Shanker, 2017.
- Sensory Integration and the Child: 25th Anniversary Edition A Jean Ayers, 2005.
- Supporting Children to Participate Successfully in Everyday Life by Using Sensory Processing Knowledge, “Infants & Young Children” Winnie Dunn, 2007.
journals.lww.com/iycjournal/fulltext/2007/04000/supporting_children_ to_participate_successfully_in.2.aspx
To Learn More
- Occupational and Physical Therapy
206-987-2113 - Ask your child’s healthcare provider
- seattlechildrens.org/patient-education
Free Interpreter Services
- In the hospital, ask your nurse.
- From outside the hospital, call the toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.
