Children on the spectrum often get distracted quickly and find it hard to focus on tasks or adjust to new situations. This can lead to frustration and avoidance of tasks due to the brain’s inability to analyze and process the situation effectively. Providing sensory input at home can help the child’s brain create a “muscle memory” through repeated experiences, enabling better task execution.
In this video, the presenter gives some activities you can do at home to provide proprioceptive input and improve sensory processing.
Dr. Himani Narula in this video talks about how children can benefit greatly from sensory integration activities that engage their proprioceptive systems. Jumping on a mattress, bean bags, or large tires, dancing to music with guided movements, and skipping are excellent for enhancing body awareness. Weight-bearing tasks like “wheelbarrow walking,” where the child supports their weight on their arms with adult assistance, or carrying small weighted objects such as books or water bottles, build strength and coordination. Animal walks, including crawling, bear walks, crab walks, or slithering like a snake, are fun and stimulating. Yoga poses tailored for children and fine motor tasks, such as playing with clay or rolling newspaper balls, can improve focus and dexterity. Lastly, interactive activities like pillow fights, vibratory toys, crawling under tables or through tunnels, and pushing or lifting lightweight objects provide structured sensory input to help regulate their sensory systems.
