For mommies with stimming kids, not playing with toys appropriately or sensory seeking - let's share what worked for us

I thought we could start a thread about ways we found we could "channel" our children's behavioral issues into appropriate ways to deal with them.


I am sure not all our successes will work with all kids but I thought it could be a good idea to see what others have done and get new ideas.

Vastibular input

DS loves being upside down, loves movement of all sort but at some point DH and I won't be able to carry him and do roug play especially as he gets older. At 15 yo, it won't be appropriate.

Ways to channel the need for vastibular input:
- slide
- swingset
- horseback riding which can be done unto adulthood

Fascination for moving objects

- Garage ramps toys (fisher price garage and Tonka ramps)
- Geotrax (recommended by Autism speaks). Moving object but appropriate since this is the object of the toy. Also teaches coordination and control with the remote control

Re: For mommies with stimming kids, not playing with toys appropriately or sensory seeking - let's share what worked for us

Great thread

My son is very sensory seeking. His new thing is tracking ojects, such trucks with his eyes. He will also go up to the tv and squint his eyes and wallk past the tv. My solution..get a flat screen and hang it on the wall
we actually bought one of those cheap lighted fish tanks and redirect him to that.
proprioceptive.....we have him crawl throu
gh those tunnels. We started making smoothies.I make them real thick,and that is how he gets his fruits and veggies. The sucking helps him.
vestibular....the swing. We also bought a small trampoline he jumps on.
tactile....deep pressure rubs helps him focus andcalm him down at night. At. Night I give him a bath with epson salt. Then as I dry him off, irub him down firmly to dry him off with the towel. Then rub/massage lotion.

Message edited 12/29/2010 8:55:32 PM.

Re: For mommies with stimming kids, not playing with toys appropriately or sensory seeking - let's share what worked for us

My DD is a sensory seeker as well. She loves it all, vivid colors, movement, sound, tactile input, proprioceptive activites, oral motor input.

Try to feed her pretzel rods or bagels to have her get the oral motor input. It helps deter her from chewing on non edible items.

She loves to jump and run, so we have some songs on a cd that include following directions that incorporate jumping/running. We have parades with instruments and a small parachute. I also purchased some colorful scarves. Seeing the vivid colors and the feel of the parachute 'breeze' or the scarves "breeze" is exciting to her. We also have small cones for motor planning activities.

We purchased a blow up bouncy house that we can use in our home. It blows up quickly and you can store it easily. You of course need open space for it but she gets to jump, crash and flip around.

We have a hammock type swing that attaches to a chin up bar. It gives her a secure feeling (good for vestibular and proprioceptive input).

Tunnels, and wrapping her like a hot dog in a blanket (proprioceptive)

We try to have games of "bowling" using a ball and plastic cups,...(motor planning, sound and movement input)

Water play, long epsom salt baths

Playdoh either using shape cutters or pulling misc small things out of the playdoh and dumping into a cup for sound input (this helps her low tone).

Beanbag chair for sitting and for some 'crashing" taught to us by our OT.

"Brushing" and joint compressions as well as deep pressure massages. Epsom salt baths help my dd as well.

Gymnastics and music therapy has helped wonders because as soon as my dd is running or jumping,...I try to start singing one of the songs from those classes and she is redirected into something functional (following the direction of the song). I also sometimes just join in with her....and she absolutely loves that. (I use it as a time for intraverbals or following one step commands)

We do not have this but I purchased it for other family members...Plasma Car. It runs without batteries and can be used on hard wood floors and helps core strengthening and motor planning. Definitely great for "vestibular" input.

I highly recommend the book........The Out of Sync Child Has Fun

Message edited 12/30/2010 12:58:03 PM.