Identifying Sensory Preferences

Choosing sensory activities for an autistic child involves a mix of observation, understanding the child’s preferences, and a bit of trial and error to see what brings them joy or comfort. Here’s a guide to help you identify the types of sensory activities that may be beneficial:

1. Understand Sensory Preferences

  • Sensory-Seeking or Avoiding: Some children seek more sensory input (like deep pressure or loud sounds), while others avoid it. Pay attention to how the child responds to different types of stimuli in daily life. Are they drawn to certain textures, sounds, or movements? Or do they seem overwhelmed by them?

  • Hypo- or Hyper-sensitive: Sensitivities can vary across different senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and proprioception). For instance, a child may love bright lights but shy away from loud noises. Observe which senses seem to need extra stimulation and which need calming.

2. Identify Activity Goals

  • Think about what the child might benefit from. Goals could include helping them calm down, stay engaged, build coordination, or explore new sensations in a safe way.

3. Experiment with Activities by Sensory Type

  • Here are some activity ideas based on different sensory needs:

Tactile (Touch)

  • Calming: Use soft textures like plush toys, weighted blankets, or kinetic sand.

  • Engaging: Try activities like finger painting, playing with putty or playdough, and sensory bins filled with rice, beans, or water beads.

  • Desensitizing: Gradual exposure to various textures, like smooth, rough, or sticky, can help children explore touch without feeling overwhelmed.

Proprioceptive (Body Awareness)

  • Calming and Grounding: Activities like jumping on a trampoline, pushing a heavy object, carrying a weighted backpack, or using resistance bands can provide grounding and calming effects.

  • Stimulating: Activities that require more movement and effort, like climbing, swinging, or yoga poses, can provide the sensory input many sensory-seeking children crave.

Vestibular (Balance and Movement)

  • Soothing: Gentle rocking in a rocking chair or a hammock can provide calming vestibular input.

  • Stimulating: Spinning in a swivel chair, swinging, or rolling down a hill can provide excitement for those who seek motion.

Auditory (Hearing)

  • Calming: Use noise-canceling headphones if loud sounds cause distress, or play calming music and nature sounds.

  • Engaging: Instruments like drums, shakers, or xylophones can let children make noise while also allowing control over volume and rhythm.

Visual (Sight)

  • Calming: Use low, soft lighting, and avoid overwhelming visual clutter in the space where the child plays.

  • Stimulating: Sensory lights, lava lamps, or bubble tubes can provide gentle visual stimulation. Alternatively, activities like rainbow-colored puzzles or “I Spy” games can provide structured visual engagement.

Oral (Taste and Smell)

  • Calming: Chewy or crunchy snacks, such as fruit leather or pretzels, can be grounding.

  • Stimulating: Try introducing foods with varying textures and tastes or provide sensory chews, which can help meet sensory needs in a focused way.

4. Observe Reactions

  • As you introduce these activities, pay close attention to the child’s reactions. Look for signs of enjoyment, engagement, and relaxation, as well as signs of discomfort or overstimulation. You might find that some activities become favorites, while others are quickly dismissed.

5. Adjust Activities for Sensory Changes

  • Sensory preferences can change over time, so it’s helpful to revisit activities and occasionally introduce new ones. Sensory needs might shift as the child grows, or they may start to seek new types of stimulation.

6. Consider Occupational Therapy Support

  • An occupational therapist can be incredibly helpful in identifying specific sensory needs and creating tailored activities. They may also introduce sensory tools, like weighted vests or therapy balls, that can help meet those needs in a structured way.

Sensory activities should ultimately feel enjoyable and safe for the child, offering them a chance to explore, relax, or regulate their environment in a way that feels comfortable for them!