It is challenging to know which sensory activities are best for a child with autism. Basically, the goal is to help children achieve an optimal state of alertness so that they are able to attend and learn. Children who seem to lack energy and are "floppy" often benefit from sensory activities that increase alertness. Some autistic children are bouncing off the walls, however, and need sensory activities that help slow them down in order to focus.
Sensory Integration
Children with autism often have impaired abilities to interpret what they see, hear, feel and how their bodies are moving in space. Their brains are unable to organize sensory information when they interact with objects. As a result, they may appear clumsy, find touch aversive, fear movement and be easily overwhelmed. Spinning on a tire swing, heavy muscle use such as when playing tug of war and the deep touch stimulation enjoyed during a good pillow fight all provide stimulation that helps organize the brain. This is called sensory integration.
Sensory Activities to Calm Children
New parents quickly learn how to calm a baby with slow rocking, swaddling in a blanket (deep touch), a quiet lullaby and avoidance of loud sudden noises. These same sensory activities help easily over-stimulated children with autism to become calm and more focused. Sometimes these children become focused after spending some quiet time in a semi-dark play corner, cuddling with heavy blankets on a bean bag chair and squeezing balls filled with putty.
Sensory Activities to Increase Alertness
Children who appear under-active or lethargic may frequently slide out of their chairs, avoid movement and struggle to pay attention. They often benefit from alerting sensory stimulation such as bright lights, cool air, fast swinging, jumping, running games, loud, erratic music and visually stimulating rooms. School-age children should have frequent sensory breaks from school and homework in order to charge up their nervous systems.
Creating a Sensory Diet
Occupational therapists often recommend a sensory diet designed to meet a child's individual needs. A sensory diet does not involve edible foods, but rather nourishing sensory activities throughout the day to help a child achieve an optimal state of alertness for learning, socializing and feeling good. Through trial and error, the therapist combines her knowledge of how different types of sensory stimulation affect children to see how a child responds to a particular sensory experience. Occupational therapists can help teachers and parents implement a sensory diet at school or home so that the child with autism is neurologically ready to learn.
References
- "Building Bridges through Sensory Integration"; Ellen Yack, Paula Aquilla & Shirley Sutton; 2004.
- "The Out-of-Sync Child"; Carol Stock Kranowitz; 2006.
