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Early Intervention Activities and Strategies

Sensory Play: Stretchy Bands

For a sensory-seeking child who is always looking for movement, if that movement comes in the form of a fun, voluntary activity—like using an elastic band to play with—that is an improvement.

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Early Intervention Activities and Strategies

Sensory Play: Bedtime Routine Part 2

Creating a peaceful bedtime routine for a child with sensory processing challenges takes time, patience, and experimentation. By understanding your child’s unique needs and incorporating sensory strategies, you can create a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and sleep for everyone.

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Early Intervention in Everyday Routines

Sensory Seeker Bedtime Routine Part 1

We know that children with ASD experience sleep issues and challenging behaviors. Parents then experience stress, and then parent’s stress can worsen a child’s behavior problems. Therefore, effective stress management becomes a critical for both parent and child’s well-being.

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Early Intervention in Everyday Routines

Escaping the Car Seat: What Worked for Us

The most important lesson I learned is that prevention is key. When your child is actively escaping their car seat while you’re driving, you’re helpless. Focus on creating an environment that minimizes the likelihood of escape.

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Early Intervention in Everyday Routines

The Day My Child Smeared Poop All Over Himself

To my horror, he was covered in what appeared to be feces, gleefully playing with it. Panic set in as I navigated through traffic, desperately trying to find a safe place to pull over.

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Early Intervention Activities and Strategies

Sensory Play: Jumping on the Indoor Trampoline

Jumping can be a powerful tool in our sensory toolkit. By understanding the science of it and incorporating it thoughtfully, we can help sensory-seeking children find regulation, improve their motor skills, and engage more fully in their world.

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Early Intervention Activities and Strategies

Early Intervention Heavy Work for Sensory Seekers

Sensory seekers may naturally seek out various sensory experiences, but it’s crucial to guide them toward appropriate and regulating activities. Often, this means prioritizing proprioceptive feedback through heavy work.

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Early Intervention Activities and Strategies

Sensory Play: A Calming Aquarium Scene

My experience reminded me that sensory input doesn’t always have to be about high-energy stimulation. Nature scenes, whether real or simulated, can offer a gentle, calming alternative. This aligns with the research, which emphasizes the stress-reducing effects of nature.

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Early Intervention Activities and Strategies

Sensory Play: The Body Sock

We tried all sorts of heavy work activities, and one that really stood out was the sensory body sock. It was like magic! He’d climb in, push against the stretchy fabric, and… instant calm. It gave me peace to see his little body find some peace.

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Early Intervention Activities and Strategies

The Purple Road: Sensory Regulation with a Yoga Mat

Sometimes, the most effective tools are the ones we already have. A simple yoga mat became a “purple road” to sensory regulation for Little Monkey.