Sensory activities can be a very beneficial tool. These activities can help children explore their senses, develop motor skills, and improve their self-regulation skills.  Engaging children with Autism in these types of activities can be very beneficial to help them explore their environment and improve self-regulation skills. This categorized list of simple activities can give you some ideas to incorporate sensory play into your routine!

What are sensory activities?

A sensory activity is an activity that involves any of the senses. This includes taste, touch, hearing, sight, smell, vestibular and proprioception.

Activities that incorporate the vestibular system are movements that place the head in different positions (i.e. jumping, spinning, inverted yoga poses).

Activities that incorporate the proprioceptive system are movements that provide input to the muscles and joints (i.e. crawling, deep pressure, pushing/pulling).

Benefits  

Sensory play can be beneficial to all children. Engaging children with Autism in these types of activities can be very beneficial for learning and development.
These Activities can:

• Provide calming techniques during stressful situations
• Help sensory-processing systems
• Improve Motor Skills
• Improve Self-Regulation Skills

Tactile Input Activities - “Touch” sensation

*Important Note* - Some individuals may have tactile sensitivities and aversiveness to certain textures.

1. Play-Doh
2. Kinetic Sand
3. Pop-Its
4. Water Beads
5. Arts and Crafts/ Finger Painting

Vestibular Input Activities- Movements that place the head in different positions.

*Important Note* - Some individuals may have vestibular sensitivity and aversiveness to certain vestibular movements.

1. Structured jumping
2. Swinging
3. Structured Spinning
4. Inverted yoga poses (i.e. downward dog)
5. Rocking in a rocking chair

Proprioceptive Input Activities- Movements that give input to the muscles and joints.

*Important Note* - Some individuals may have sensitivities and aversiveness and aversiveness to certain movements*

1. Deep pressure – the child can give themselves a hug or you can give them a hug
2. Stomping/Marching
3. Crab Walks/Animal Walk
4. Carrying heavy objects (i.e. books, laundry basket)
5. Gardening

Sensory Activities can be a great way for children to explore their senses and learn self-regulation skills. 

For easy to implement sensory-based movement activities, check out our video library!