Deep Pressure, Proprioception, and Vestibular Stimulation Three popular types of sensory stimulations, that provide necessary input in sensory diets, are deep pressure touch (e.g. massage), proprioception (resistance to joints, tendons, and muscles often found in gross motor activity) and vestibular (usually consisting of moment activities; movement of head in space). The general sensory effects of these types of stimulation are: DEEP PRESSURE tends to calm the nervous system. PROPRIOCEPTION (resistance to muscles and joints) tends to organize the nervous system. Can be used to either calm or alert the nervous system. VESTIBULAR; slow movement tends to calm, while fast movement tends to alert. In general, in all three categories, slow, soft, rhythmic stimulation tends to calm. Fast, intense, irregular stimulation tends to alert. However, children with autism have strong sensory sensitivities, with wide individual variations. These diets have to be individualized based on the child’s specific preferences and sensitivities. Although the above three groups are very common in sensory diets, rounding out many diets may consist of a variety of calming and alerting tactile (touch), auditory (sound), olfactory (smells) and gustatory (taste) simulation. Below are examples of tactile/deep pressure stimulation, proprioception, and vestibular activities. Tactile/Deep Pressure Activities • Brushing • Hand massage • Pillow press/sandwiching • Neural warmth, wrap • Lotion rubs • Snuggling in blankets, pillows, bedding. • Rubbing with different textures. • Finger painting. • Water play. • Finding objects in rice, sand, beans. • Play-Doh • Painting with shaving cream or whipping cream. • Making sand castles, mud pies. • Feeling different textures. Proprioceptive Activities • Joint compressions • Stretching • Wall push ups • Squeeze ball • Run, jump, skip. • Lifting , carrying, push/pull. • Chew, suck, blow. • Vacuum, sweep. • Leap frog, tug-of-war, • wheelbarrow walking. • Hit, kick, bounce, throw ball. • Climb, crawl, scoot, pull self. • Rolling/kneading dough or clay. • Outdoor work (raking, sweeping, mowing). • Rough housing, wrestling. • Crashing on bed, beanbags. • Pillow fights • Weighted vests, lap pads. Vestibular Activities • Jumping, bouncing activities-trampoline, bed, ball, etc. • Swinging- Swing set, suspended swing, glider, hammock, etc. • Run, skip, riding activities. • Turning, rotating, spinning-Sit ‘n Spin, swivel chair, swing. • Scooter boards, wagon rides. • Rolling, tumbling. • Playing on slides, teeter totters, trapezes. • Hopscotch, tag, chase. • Rocking prone on therapy ball • Rocking chair This series on sensory issues can be found in the blue book Autism Discussion Page on the Core Challenges of Autism.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 10:06:50 +0000
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