Sensory Integration Activities are the lifeline to providing and achieving the necessary challenges for your child so they maximize:
- daily functioning
- intellectual, social, and emotional development
- the development of a positive self-esteem
- a mind and body which is ready for learning
- positive interactions in the world around him
- the achievement of normal developmental milestones
The great news is… sensory integration activities are unbelievably funand a necessary part of development for any child, whether they have a sensory processing disorder or not. Sensory integration activities are activities that should be used with any child if normal sensory development is one of your goals (hint… it should be).
From the womb into adulthood, our neurological systems are developing
and processing an overwhelming amount of sensory information every day.
Our system must then interpret this information and make it ready to be
tolerated and used for specific purposes.
If this normal developmental process is hindered in any way, it can cause detrimental effects. Proper intake and use of sensory input is absolutely critical to a child’s maturation process and the building of core, foundational skills. I certainly can not stress this enough… it isthat important!
The best part about sensory integration activities is the creative fun
you can have coming up with ideas, playing with your child using sensory
input, or purchasing unique toys and products anyone would love! (I’ll be honest, sometimes adults need and love these products as much as, if not more than, the child!)
In fact, because these treatment activities are so fun, creative, and unique, it often doesn’t even look like “therapy”. That is why we, as Occupational Therapists are a great profession… it is almost like turning work into play.
Children just think they are having fun when they are actually working strenuously at building essential skills with their bodies and better neurological systems.
It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, consistency and persistence, but in the end, you will have a thriving child who can regulate sensory input much more effectively.
The variety of sensory integration activities is endless… only limited
by your creativity and imagination! The good news is… because we, as professionals, treat children with sensory processing disorders, as well as children just trying to meet normal developmental milestones, AND we treat them in a variety of settings, we have found thousands of activities to address sensory integration / sensory processing needs!
I truly wish I could share with you every possible activity. But, seeing as that would be a daunting and impossible task, I will instead talk about some of the most basic, most popular, most requested, fun and proven to work sensory integration activities. This, in itself, will give you a solid foundation for treatment, an understanding of why they are used, and you will be well on your way to enhancing and maximizing your child’s potential!
Bear in mind, each of the following activities are in no particular hierarchy and most of them will have articles, e-books, products or merchants that they will point you to (any not listed will be coming soon!).
Below is just a brief introduction to each of the sensory integration activities. You will find more information throughout this site and through the hundreds of links provided. Well, let’s go!
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, began 15 years ago, when our founder tried out a Jumping Ball for the very first time. An avid toy expert (thanks to his Grandmother, may she live long and well!) he knew that he had found something special.
