Category Archives: Sensory

Investigate evidence-based sensory integration strategies and therapeutic tools designed to help individuals of all ages regulate sensory input, enhance emotional regulation, and improve behavior, attention, and participation across a variety of environments.

Creating a Successful, Sensory-Friendly, Learning Environment

August 9, 2024Sensoryclassroom strategies, therapist resourcesGuest Blogger

As the new school year approaches, setting up an effective, sensory-friendly, home learning environment is essential for your child’s success. A well-organized and sensory-friendly space can enhance focus, reduce stress, and make learning more fun. Adapting a learning environment to your child’s specific needs and learning style are crucial elements for a happy, productive learning experience. Therapro offers a wide range of products designed to meet the unique needs of every child, ensuring a smooth and successful back-to-school transition. Here are 5 strategies that will help your child sail smoothly into Fall:

1.) Designate the Ideal Learning Space: Choosing the right location for your child’s learning space is the first step. It should be quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions, such as visual clutter and noise. Ergonomic furniture is essential to ensure comfort and proper posture during study sessions. Therapro’s seating solutions, including Kore Kid’s Wobble Chair and Wiggle Seat Sensory Cushions, are perfect for creating a customized learning environment that grows with your child. Choose from several different sizes of the Wobble Chair to accommodate your child’s height while allowing movement back and forth, front to back, and all around without tipping. The Wiggle Seat comes in 4 colorful shapes to help your child stay focused and stable when seated.

Kore Kids Wobble Chair for a Sensory-friendly learning environment — Wiggle Seat Sensory Cushion

2.) Provide Organizational Tools for Success: Organization plays a key role in effective learning. A consistent routine helps children feel secure and understand what to expect each day. Establishing a daily schedule that includes time for learning, breaks, and play is essential. Visual schedules, planners, and other organizational tools help children understand their daily tasks and manage their time efficiently. Therapro offers a variety of these tools from SchKiDules that are engaging and easy to use. The magnetic 2-Sided Star Board is a versatile tool that unfolds into three 6 inch panels to build a daily visual schedule. Time Timer Original 3-inch timer provides a 60 minute countdown to keep your child on track.

Schkidules visual schedule display — Time Timer

3.) Set Up a Sensory-Friendly Environment to Enhance Focus and Attention: Many children benefit from a sensory-friendly learning environment. Addressing sensory needs can help improve focus and reduce anxiety. Therapro provides a range of sensory products, such as fidgets, weighted items, and sensory materials to create a calming and supportive space for learning. Be sure to check with your child’s occupational therapist to collaborate on what sensory tools would be best for your child. The weighted Sit -Tight Lap Pad’s gentle pressure helps children achieve calm and focus. It easily fastens around the waist with a clip. The adorable Puppy Shoulder Wrap helps active, younger children stay calm and focused as well.

Sit Tight Weighted Lap Pad in a Sensory-friendly learning environment — Sit Tight Weighted Lap Pad

weighted Puppy Shoulder Wrap in a sensory-friendly learning environment — Sit Tight Weighted Lap Pad

Maintaining focus can be challenging for many children. Simple strategies, like using Noise-Canceling Headphones to block out distractions, or visual timers to manage breaks, can make a significant difference. Therapro’s focus tools, including concentration aids and stress-relief items, are designed to help children stay on task. Universal Bouncy Band for Home and School Chairs is a heavy-duty rubber bungee cord that attaches to chair legs allowing the student to support their feet and move, resulting in greater productivity because they are attending to the task.

Bouncy Band for Elementary School Chair — Hush-Buddy Earmuffs

4.) Incorporate Assistive Technology: Assistive technology can greatly enhance a child’s learning experience. Therapro offers a variety of technological aids that cater to different learning needs and styles. These tools not only support academic success but also boost confidence and independence. The compact GoTalk Button records a 10 second message and has a built-in magnet for display on the refrigerator or on any metal surface. Teaching Rings is a tool that provides a fun new technique in teaching and keyboarding or touch typing skills for all ages and skill levels. The child wears 8 teaching rings to teach them the “Home Row” of keys where fingers should always rest when not typing. As the child learns all the keys that each finger types, they can remove the rings.

GoTalk Button — Animal-Shaped Computer Mouse

5.) Offer Parental Involvement and Support: Parents play a crucial role on the school team in their child’s education. By being involved and providing support, you can help your child navigate challenges and celebrate successes. Therapro offers resources and products designed to support parents in creating a positive learning environment at home. Ongoing consultation with your child’s teachers and occupational therapists can help guide you in selecting the best tools for your child’s learning environment at home.

A well-organized, sensory-friendly, and technology-equipped home learning environment can significantly impact your child’s academic success. By exploring and incorporating Therapro’s extensive range of products, you can tailor a positive learning space that meets your child’s unique needs and fosters a love for learning.

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT – Retired

Recognizing Sensory Processing Challenges

March 18, 2024Sensorysensory strategiesGuest Blogger

Worried that your child may have sensory processing challenges? Here are some patterns of behaviors to look out for that can be indicative of sensory processing differences.

Sensory Processing Red Flags

Over-responsive to sensory input:
- Expresses discomfort in response to loud sounds or bright lights
- Aversive to light touch, teeth brushing, hair grooming, or clothing textures
- Hesitant to climb and use moving playground equipment (swings, bikes)
- Gags in response to certain smells or food textures
Under-responsive to sensory input:
- Constantly “on the move”
- Does not appear to register sensory stimuli, such as being touched or bumped
- Craves frequent or intense sensory experiences (climbing, jumping, crashing)
Motor Skill Challenges
- Appears clumsy
- A limited repertoire of play activities
- Difficulty letting peers “take the lead” in play
- Avoids novel play activities or environments
Self-Regulation Challenges
- Easily distracted by visual stimuli or background sounds
- Becomes overwhelmed, has meltdowns, or avoids multi-sensory environments, such as birthday parties, public events, or the classroom
- Has difficulty transitioning between environments or activities

My child shows some sensory processing challenges, what is next?

Just like people have individual personalities, we all have unique sensory preferences. As an adult, you have likely learned to cope with sensory and life stressors by seeking out input (either consciously or subconsciously) that is regulating for your sensory system. For example, you may take a warm shower to relax your body after a long day, go for a run to feel organized, or listen to music on headphones at a busy store. These sensory strategies help “feed” the nervous system and allow you to maintain a functional, regulated state.

Kids need support and guidance to find the inputs that help them feel “just right.” Here are some strategies that are generally calming for the nervous system. As always, these are child-led activities. Monitor your child’s response; if they have an aversive response or just do not like the activity, stop immediately.

Proprioceptive Input (input that engages the muscles and joints):

Children's Climber and Rocker Board Combo

Pushing a shopping cart, carrying a backpack with heavy library books, or climbing on playground equipment

Deep touch pressure to the whole body:

Massage, weighted blankets, or big hugs!

Rhythmic linear movement:

Rocking on a rocking chair, rocking slowly on a supportive swing, or jumping on a small trampoline

Sensory Soft Squeeze Seat by Bouncyband®

Oral input:

Chewing resistive foods such as gum, fruit leather, or large crunchy pretzels

Cozy fort-like spaces:

Create cozy fort-like spaces with a pop-up tent or blanket and chairs. Be sure to include favorite stuffed animals, books to look at, and fidgets to squish.

Tactile play:

Explore different tactile bin play such as dry rice, putty, Kinetic Sand, or foam soap. Note: kids who are tactile sensitive may be aversive to this type of play so always invite into play but never force interaction.
Pro tip: If a texture is new, you can put it in a plastic baggie, allowing the child to interact without sticky hands!

Olfactory support:

For children who are hypersensitive to smell: Limit the use of scented sprays, soaps, cleaning products, or candles, and allow fresh air to circulate in your home.
For children who are not hypersensitive to smell: fresh flowers or satchels can be useful in creating a calming environment. Lavender and chamomile are known for their calming properties. Note: Exercise caution when using aromatherapy as children tend to be more sensitive to smell than adults.

Over-responsivity supports:

Use noise-cancelling headphones to block out distracting or bothersome background noise
Wear a hood, hat, or sunglasses to help mute bright lights or visually busy environments
Providing a quiet space with dim lighting to take breaks from a chaotic environment

Need more help?

If you need more guidance, reach out to your local pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing and sensory integration therapy. You may benefit from additional parent support or your child may benefit from occupational therapy treatment.

Guest Blogger: Taylor Mason, OT

Taylor Mason has 13 years of experience as an occupational therapist and is the proud owner of The Nurture Nook, a company dedicated to providing virtual support for parents of children with sensory and developmental challenges.

Everyday Sensory Solutions: The Use And Benefits Of Fidgets

March 6, 2024SensoryfidgetsGuest Blogger

Fidgets are beneficial tools for reducing restlessness, managing stress, promoting relaxation, and enhancing fine motor skills. They provide a tactile outlet for nervous energy, making them particularly helpful for individuals with autism, stress, anxiety, ADHD, or other attention-related challenges. Fidgets also support sensory regulation and self-soothing, benefiting individuals in various settings like classrooms, offices, or leisure activities. They offer a discreet way to cope with restlessness or anxiety, helping individuals maintain focus and overall well-being.

Choosing non-toy-like fidget tools can further enhance their effectiveness. Opting for tools with an inconspicuous design allows individuals to discreetly engage with sensory stimulation. This non-toy appearance minimizes distractions and potential judgments from others, making it especially advantageous in professional or formal environments. Non-toy-looking fidget tools provide a subtle approach that maintains discretion and reduces social stigma while promoting self-regulation, focus, grounding and sensory engagement.

Sommerfly fidget tools, designed by our occupational therapist are known for their top quality construction and materials. Each product is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and made from premium materials to ensure durability and longevity. Sommerfly’s commitment to excellence in craftsmanship guarantees that their products maintain effectiveness and reliability over time, providing individuals with a consistent and superior sensory experience.

Sommerfly Go-Support Wrist Fidget:

girl writing with the Sommerfly’s Go-Support Wrist Fidget™ on her wrist, demonstrating the Use And Benefits Of Fidgets

Sommerfly’s Go-Support Wrist Fidget™ is a set of two spandex wrist bands filled with calming beads. Resting on beads when typing or writing places the wrist in a neutral position which reduces strain on the hand and wrist that can help relieve symptoms from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Sommerfly Wristful Fidget:

Sommerfly Wristful Fidget is a revolutionary spandex wristband designed to promote focus and relaxation. Filled with soothing beads, this innovative accessory provides a calming sensory experience. Worn around the wrist or stretched into the hand, the Wristful Fidget allows you to discreetly fidget with the serene beads, helping you find a sense of calm and concentration.

Sommerfly Focus Fidgety:

Sommerfly’s Focus Fidgety is a practically designed hand fidget that has a wrist strap and finger loop to help our fidget stay on the body. The Focus Fidgety has a non-toy look which further promotes focus. No more dropped or thrown fidgets!

It is important to note that all occupational therapists are trained in sensory processing and many have extensive experience and deep understanding in this area. Whenever possible, seek guidance from an occupational therapist for individualized sensory recommendations.

Guest Blogger: Kristi Langslet, OTR/L

Kristi Langslet, OTR/L is the proud owner of Sommerfly, a company dedicated to providing individuals of all ages with sensory needs unique product designs that are meticulously crafted in the USA for optimal quality and construction. Most importantly, Sommerfly’s passion is to serve those who use our products.