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Sensory Activities

Sensory processing is how we feel and experience the world around us; there are three types of sensory processing: 

  • Hyper-responsive: This child tends to be a "sensory avoider." This child responds excessively to sensory input. This slightest movement, touch, or sound could send this child into a negative reaction. 

  • Hypo-responsive: This child tends to be a "sensory seeker." This child does not receive enough sensory input and is constantly seeking for ways to get to that "just-right" level of input. These sensory-seeking behaviors can impact their day because they are not able to focus or attend to a task until they are at that just-right level. 

  • Under-responsive: This child exhibits a diminished response to sensory input. More sensory input is needed than average in order to get a response. This child can appear to be "lazy" or "tired" but is neither of those things. 

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Sensory treatment usually falls into one of three different types. 

  • Adaptation: Adapts the activity for success. This is usually a great first step to help families and children cope with the here and now. It can be used short-term or long-term. 

  • Modulation: Modulates the child before, during, and after activities to make the child feel "just right". Most children modulate with proprioceptive deep pressure/heavy work or vestibular head movement. Modulation is always recommended, especially before remediation activities. 

  • Remediation: Helps to expand the child's tolerated sensations. Remediation usually happens slowly and starts with similar sensations before moving on to more challenging sensations. For example, a child who likes quiet will be introduced to soft sounds before loud sounds. 

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Want to know more before trying out sensory activities? Check out our videos on sensory processing and treatment. 

Auditory

Avoider

Adapt

  • Noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs

  • Create a quiet space for your child

Modulate

  • Give silent or quiet rest breaks

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate 

  • Let your child play with different musical instruments at their own pace

  • Let your child play music on a music player and allow them to pick the music and control the volume

Seeker

​Adapt

  • Use a decibel meter to ensure safety (70 dBA or lower)

  • Use a personal music player with headphones

  • Use sound cues for transitions

Modulate

  • Give sound or music "breaks" after quiet activities 

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate​

  • Start loud and work towards getting quieter

    • Make homemade instruments 

    • Read books and make sound effects

Under-responsive

​Adapt

  • Ensure safety by using flashing fire alarms and flashing doorbells (don't rely on sound)

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Play sound recognition games

  • Record different household sounds and play them back while talking to your child about the sounds 

  • Play music and sound effects for preferred toys (ex. traffic noises for car play) 

Click to download the auditory fact sheet

Auditory is your child's sense of hearing.

Interoception

Avoider

Adapt ​

  • Help your child independently meet their needs (accessible healthy snacks, toilet, personal fan, etc.)

Modulate

  • Create a quiet, calming safe space

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate 

  • Try meditation for relaxation

  • Tell stories to help your child understand their feelings and how to express them

  • Trace your child on a piece of paper and go through body parts labeling them and discuss the feelings that emerge with that body part

Seeker

*Note: Interoception seeking is different then self-harm. An accurate diagnosis is needed from a specialist.

Adapt

  • Help your child take mindful breaks (checking in on the belly while eating), set timers, make a schedule for self care with the help of your child's doctor

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Encourage heavy work activities (pushing, pulling, carrying, or lifting)

Remediate

  • Create games with deep breathing exercises to bring awareness to their body

  • Try meditation to bring awareness to the body

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Under-responsive

Adapt

  • Ensure safety with occasional "body checks" for cuts, bumps, and bruises

  • Monitor your child's eating with the help of a dietician or nutritionist

  • Schedule toileting breaks or regular diaper checks

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input 

Remediate

  • Create a feelings and sensations chart

  • Read books about the body

  • Focus on one sensation at a time (hunger, toileting needs, etc.)

Interoception allows your child to understand and feel what's happening inside their body. It helps children be aware of sensations like hunger, fullness, and pain. 

Click to download the interoception fact sheet

Click to download the olfactory fact sheet

Olfactory

Olfactory is your child's sense of smell.

Avoider

Adapt​

  • Lessen smells by using fans or opening windows to let in fresh air

Modulate

  • Give "fresh air" breaks

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate 

  • Start all activities with preferred scents then slowly try non-preferred

  • Play a scent identification game: let your child pick out a variety of scents

  • Go on walks and encourage your child to smell different things

Seeker

Adapt

  • Encourage your child to use other senses so they do not rely on smell as much 

  • Place an essential oil diffuser in their room

  • Provide safe scents 

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input 

  • Give "smelling" breaks with safe scents like perfume, room sprays, and essential oils

Remediate

  • Start activities with scent and work towards removing the scent

  • Allow your child to cook and prepare food with you

  • Read scratch-n-sniff books

  • Use scented markers or scented Play-Doh

Under-responsive

Adapt

  • Ensure safety by using flashing fire alarms, checking expiration dates on food​, and thermometers while cooking to avoid relying on smell

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Help your child notice smells by making perfumes or soaps for themselves and their toys

  • Have your child play with scented markers and Play-Doh to associate scent with color

  • Identify and describe smells with your child

Click to download the oral fact sheet

Oral 

Oral is your child's sense of their mouth.

Avoider

Adapt

  • Try to limit the amount of spices and flavoring in the food and snacks 

Modulate

  • Start slow with activities involving textures or foods that are less challenging and gradually increase the level of input

Remediate 

  • Encourage your child to sing or make different sounds with their mouth

  • Play different taste guessing games

  • Let your child help you prepare their food

  • Encourage playing with foods

Seeker

​*Note: While teething, most children will appear to be oral seeking. After teething ends can oral seeking be better seen.

​Adapt​

  • Try safe chewing like chewy tubes, oral vibrating toys, or bubble gum depending on your child's age 

  • Create a regular oral hygiene routine with flavored toothpaste and child-safe mouth wash

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Give your child chew breaks during activities

Remediate

  • Gradually reduce the amount of time with chewing toys 

  • Introduce new foods with different tastes and textures and slowly work towards more bland foods and drinks

Under-responsive

*Note: Low oral motor tone and other conditions can look like oral under-responsive. Have your child evaluated first for safety . They may need a swallow study.

Adapt

  • You may need to help your child count the number of chews for safety

  • You may need to cut your child's food for safety

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Try out different seasonings to see what your child might like

  • Use an electric toothbrush or kid's vibrating chew toy

  • Use sensory chew toys or a soft toothbrush on the lips and then gently in the mouth

  • Allow your child to chew food items that require more chewing: licorice, bagels, granola bars, dried fruits, etc.

Proprioception

Click to download the proprioception fact sheet

Avoider

Adapt

  • Limit the amount of movement and replace with easer activities (bathing instead of showering, pulling a rolling case instead of wearing a backpack, etc.)

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Give rest breaks

Remediate 

  • Have your child try squeezing a stress ball

  • Animal walks can help your child get used to their body moving in different positions

  • Start slow and begin with gentle activities and gradually increase the intensity until your child becomes comfortable 

  • Encourage your child to hug their favorite stuffed animal or blanket providing them with soft pressure

Seeker

Adapt​

  • Ensure all activities are safe and appropriate for the child's strength and physical abilities

  • Create a safe crash zone with a pile of pillows and allow your child to jump into them

  • Try compression clothing, weighted blankets, or sensory body socks

Modulate

  • Create a "pillow sandwich" by gently squeezing your child between two soft pillows

  • Give breaks 

Remediate

  • Try to reduce the number of breaks your child needs during non-moving activities like sitting at the table

  • Try new moves with wall push-ups, animal yoga, and jumping jacks

  • Let your child help you with chores and carry grocery bags (appropriately weighed for their age and strength)

Under-responsive

​Adapt

  • Help teach your child to scan their body and surroundings using their other senses

Modulate

  • Create a safe area for your child to rest

  • Give preferred input

Remediate

  • Start slow and begin with less intense activities and gradually increase activities as the child becomes more comfortable

  • Set up an obstacle course with things to climb over, crawl under, and move around

  • Encourage the child to carry objects like a bag of rice or a backpack

  • Have your child push a full laundry basket or pull a wagon with some weight in it

  • Give your child firm, deep "bear hugs" 

Proprioception is your child's sense of body position and movement.

Tactile

Click here to download the tactile fact sheet

Tactile is your child's sensation of touch.

Avoider

Adapt: ​

  • Allow your child to wear gloves to touch certain textures or items

  • Let your child use utensils for food

Modulate​

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Give breaks during tactile activities

Remediate â€‹

  • Start slow and begin with gentle activities and textures your child likes and slowly explore new ones

  • Involve your child in gardening activities with gloves

  • Allow your child to help you with meal preparation where they can pour and mix ingredients

  • Make sensory bins with dry materials (rice, beans, pasta), and allow your child to explore

  • Make it fun by having your child finger paint with shaving cream or pudding

Seeker

Adapt

  • Give your child small items they can take when they leave home (small sensory balls or fidget toys) 

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Give touching breaks where your child can use fidget toys and other fun touching activities

Remediate

  • Gradually reduce the number of breaks your child needs

  • Involve your child in meal preparation or baking where they can knead dough, use cookie cutters, and ice the cookies

  • Let your child play in a fabric scrap bin where they can sort and arrange the different textures

  • Engage in crafts with different textures (feathers, felt, foam sheets, glitter)

Under-responsive

​Adapt

  • Ensure safety and hygiene by having your child use their sight and smell

  • Use a mirror to wipe food from their face 

  • Use proper handwashing techniques to avoid missed spots

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Encourage messy play with shaving cream, finger paint, mud, and Play-Doh

  • Create textured scavenger hunts where your child must find and identify objects with different textures

Thermal

Avoider

Adapt

  • Allow your child to wear gloves to touch certain temperatures (ex. getting ice cubes from a tray)

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Give activity breaks

Remediate 

  • Start slow and begin with gentle activities and temperatures your child likes and slowly explore new ones

  • Create sensory bins with warm and cool water

  • Have your child help you make a snack with different temperatures

  • Make homemade popsicles with their favorite juice or drink

Seeker

​Adapt

  • Ensure safety by using a thermometer

Modulate

  • Give preferred input

  • Use warm and cold compresses during relaxation time

  • Make your own heating pads by filling a sock with rice or beans; use these during reading/ quiet time

Remediate

  • Start with preferred temperatures and gradually work towards safer, more moderate temperatures

  • Draw using crayons that have been put in the freezer

  • Read a social story or books about elements of temperature

Under-responsive

​Adapt

  • Ensure safety by using a thermometer and teaching hot stove indicators

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Create art about hot and cold temperatures

  • Create sensory bins with warm and cool water and have their favorite toys go on a sensory exploration adventure

  • Draw thermometers and match them to items like ice, boiling water, juice, etc. 

Click to download the thermal fact sheet

Thermal is your child's sense of temperature.

Vestibular

Avoider

*Note: Vestibular avoiding is different from vertigo and other conditions. A proper diagnosis is needed.

Adapt

  • Be mindful if your child gets dizzy with head movement

  • Encourage movement with their feet on the ground then move to movement with their feet off of the ground

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Take breaks 

Remediate 

  • Start slow and begin with gentle and enjoyable movement back and forth like a swing or rocking chair

  • Have your child sit on a yoga ball and they can rock back and forth

  • Play games like catch, tennis, ping pong, or air hockey

  • Animal walks can help your child get used to different movement patterns in a fun way

Seeker

​Adapt

  • Give safe ways to get head movement (indoor swing, wobble seat, etc.)

  • Teach your child to move their head side-to-side ("no"), up and down ("yes") to get input safely 

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Allow your child to get plenty of play time before structured activities and take "activity breaks" when needed

Remediate

  • Gradually reduce the number of breaks your child needs

  • ​Use a small indoor trampoline or bounce house

  • Try new moves with animal yoga, wheelbarrow walks, and twister

  • Explore toys at home or at a park/ indoor playground

Under-responsive

​Adapt

  • Ensure safety by teaching your child to scan their surroundings

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Allow your child to explore movement safely

  • Create an obstacle course with crawling, walking, jumping, and hopping sections

  • Engage in fun tabletop games with seated on a yoga ball

  • Use a rocking chair or rocking horse

  • Gentle swinging on a hammock or swing

Click to download the vestibular fact sheet

Vestibular is your child's sense of head movement and head position in space.

Vision

Avoider

*Note: Visual avoidance is different than visual sensitivity. Visual sensitivity can be a symptom of other conditions. Proper diagnosis is needed.

Adapt

  • Have a dark calming space for your child

  • Create a play area with dim lighting using soft lamps or string lights

  • May need to wear sunglasses out in the community

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

  • Give vision breaks

Remediate 

  • Start slow and begin with gentle and enjoyable visual elements 

  • Introduce gentle visual stimulation like lava lamps, fiber optic lights, or glow-in-the-dark stars

  • Take your child on nature walks early in the morning or in the evening when the light is softer

  • Encourage shadow play with a flashlight or dim lamp to make shadow puppets on the wall

Seeker

​Adapt

  • Ensure safe activities that do not lead to overstimulation/vision damage

  • Provide a bright, colorful, engaging play space

  • May preferred light up toys

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Gradually reduce the brightness of colors (ex. bright play doh to duller play doh)

  • Allow your child to explore different visual patterns and colors with a kaleidoscope

  • Play games that require your child to visually track items

  • Encourage your child to play with light up toys, light up balls, LED wands or glow sticks

  • Offer a variety of colorful markers, crayons, and colored pencils for drawing and coloring activities

Under-responsive

​Adapt

  • Provide your child with high-contrast colors for safety (ex. bright tape on stair treads)

  • Help your child to rely on other senses for safety (ex. smelling burning food)

Modulate

  • Give preferred sensory input

Remediate

  • Create color sorting and matching games with buttons, beads, or colored blocks

  • Introduce activities like catching a bouncing ball or follow a moving car

  • Incorporate visual activities into your child's daily routine 

  • Create a fun play space: decorate your child's play area with bright contrasting colors and visually engaging objects

Click to download the vision fact sheet

Vision is your child's sense of sight.

DISCLAIMER: 

The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical care. Always seek the advice of your medical team before implementing any of the strategies and suggestions found within the Carsone KIDS, Inc. domain. Although we can connect you to a consultant, we do not offer medical or legal advice or opinions at this time. Thank you.

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