Intervention Planning for Children with Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Challenges

signs of being overstimulated

increase activity, gaze aversion, moving or pulling away, rage, aggression, explosiveness

signs of being at optimal arousal level

engaged in activity, engaged with therapist or others, willing to try new things and transition 

signs of being understimulated

lethargic, tired, difficult to motivate, decreased engagement 

when should modulation, regulations and arousal levels be addressed? 

first

why should modulation, regulation and arousal levels be met first? 

child must be able to regulate their arousal levels, attention and state control before performing any functional activities well 

firm touch is ____

calming

light touch is _____

alerting

where should touch start?

distal

more proximal touch, such as head, face, neck and abdomen are more ____

defensive 

what are some tactile interventions?

• tactile bins

• texture games

• fidget toys

• weighted blankets

• play-doh

• clothing modifications 

tactile defensiveness intervention strategies

provide vario9us body tactile input throughout session combining it with vestibular and proprioceptive to help body process tactile input 

guidelines for vestibular interventions

• watch for overarousal 

• provide base of support for gravitational insecurity 

_____ input is calming (linear vs rotary)

linear

_____ input is stimulating (linear vs rotary)

rotary

why do we need to be cognizant of intensive vestibular input?

not all children will recognize when they have had too much

what are some ideas for vestibular input?

• swings

• balance beams

• dancing and movement activities

• therapy ball

spinning a child in the teacher’s desk chair:

1. sensory stimulation activity

2. sensory processing approach

3. Ayres Sensory Integration approach

sensory stimulation activity

tree pose during circle time as a movement break

1. sensory stimulation activity

2. sensory processing approach

3. Ayres sensory integration approach

sensory processing approach 

intervention guidelines for the proprioceptive system

• provide opportunities for resistance to muscles through work against gravity or co-contraction

• provide opportunities for joint traction

• provides overall development for body awareness 

intervention activities targeting the proprioceptive system

• simon says

• obstacle courses 

activity ideas for oral stimulation

• blowing bubbles

• electric toothbrush

• gum

• chewy tubes 

can different sensory activities tap into more than 1 sensory system?

YES

can different sensory activities be alerting to one person and calming to another person? 

YES

intervention activities targeting the visual system

• I-spy games

• magic bag

• environmental modification 

intervention ideas targeting the auditory system

• headphones

• localization activities 

• rhythmic music during motor activities for orientation 

• parachute

• wheelbarrow walk

• prone extension, pulling self

these intervention activities would target what?

bilateral integration and sequencing 

somatodyspraxia

difficulties with feedforward and feedback dependent movements

what strategies can help address somatodyspraxia?

• address feedback dependent activities first, then feedforward

• movement against resistance to develop body scheme 

what is the foundation for motor planning?

body scheme

what are some red flag words with documentation?

• tolerate

• appropriate

• expand

• attend