When our children are feeling uncomfortable, there is nothing we wouldn’t give to ease their suffering. If your child has a sensory perception difficulty, like autism or ADHD, it makes it a struggle for them to find comfort in a loud fast moving, and crowded world.
There have been great advancements in the world of sensory regulating tools, tips and tricks, some of them being every day toys or fidget devices that help find a sense of regulation or relief, here are some examples of sensory regulating toys and how they work.
Chew toys are helpful resources that can calm, be fun, improve focus, and provide the necessary sensory input the individual is seeking out. They can have different diameter, sizes, and different textures and can come in the form of jewelry, chewy tubes, fidget toys, pencil toppers, and other daily use items.
The vibrating massage cushions and pillows provide a soothing sensation through gentle vibration when they are squeezed or sat on delivering a relaxing, calming, or soothing effect on the body.
Sensory body socks are very stretchy and provide resistance when you move in them. This provides deep pressure through the joints (proprioceptive input) and when you move around in different ways, this provides the vestibular input (balance and movement in space).
The Pod Sensory Swing is used by occupational therapists for autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder. The Pod Sensory Swing provides a hug-like effect for little ones by providing Deep Touch Pressure (DTP). The Pod Sensory Swing also provides vestibular input.
Sensory room lights! The Touch Sensitive Light provides many sensory integration benefits. The light has a calming and relaxing effect. Children can manipulate our sensory lamp to suit their sensory seeking needs. The use of colours and lights improves communication skills and reinforces concepts like cause and effect.
Once you find what toy and device work the best for you and use it to help you regulate yourself and your neuro-spicy needs.
Natasha Way was a previous intern at the Canadian Abilities foundation.
