Tag Archives: sensory strategies

Sensory strategies are techniques used to help children manage responses to sensory input, such as sounds, textures, or movement. These strategies support self-regulation, attention, and participation in learning environments. They are essential for helping children stay calm, focused, and engaged throughout the day.

Smart Tips for Year-End Success

May 20, 2025School-Based Practice, Therapist Resourcesexecutive functioning, fine motor, sensory strategies, therapist resourcesAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

As the school year winds down, therapists play a vital role in helping students transition smoothly while supporting carryover of skills during the summer. The end of the academic year isn’t just about closing cases—it’s a strategic time to restock, refocus, and empower families with tools to maintain progress. Below are smart tips for year-end success to focus on as you wrap up your school-based therapy services.

Smart Tip #1: Reflect, Reorganize, and Reset

Use the final weeks of school to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what needs restocking. This is the ideal time to refresh your therapy materials and take inventory of frequently used supplies.

Top Items to Restock Before Summer:

Ergonomic pencil grip tool for improving handwriting comfort and control

Pencil Grips – Essential tools for grasp development and writing support. Stock up here: Pencil Grips at Therapro

Ink Refills for LegiLiners – Don’t start next year with dry rollers: Ink for LegiLiners

LegiLiner Double Solid Line 3/8' tall, Pen Style Rolling Ink Stamp

Raised Line & Highlighter Paper – Great for visual and tactile feedback: Explore Paper Options

This is also a great time to tidy your space, digitize records, and prep templates so you can start strong in the fall.

Smart Tip #2: Prepare Students for Smooth Transitions

Transitions can be especially challenging for students with developmental, sensory, or executive functioning differences. Help families support consistency and reduce stress at home by sending home visuals and tools to keep routines familiar.

Recommended Tools for Families:

SchKIDules Deluxe Collection Box Set – A visual scheduling system that helps parents establish and maintain daily routines over the summer.

Sensational Fun – A helpful resource packed with sensory-based activities to keep kids regulated and engaged at home.

You can also send home personalized routine charts, task analyses, or social stories to reinforce carryover.

Smart Tip #3: Send Home a Summer Skill Maintenance Checklist

Instead of assembling and sending home summer kits (which may not be practical for every therapist), consider offering families a simple, printable guide packed with low-cost, everyday ideas. The Ready, Set, Summer! Home Activity Guide helps caregivers turn ordinary household items into meaningful skill-building moments.

Encourage families to weave therapy into daily routines and play—because supporting development doesn’t have to mean structured lessons or expensive materials!

What’s Inside the Guide:

🧺 Easy-to-find tools like clothespins, Tupperware, and sidewalk chalk
🛋️ DIY obstacle course ideas using furniture and masking tape
✂️ Fun ways to practice cutting, strengthening, and fine motor skills
🧠 Everyday activities turned into therapy moments (like sorting laundry!)
🛍️ Product recommendations including Therapy Putty and Adapted Scissors

📥 Download the Ready, Set, Summer! Home Activity Guide to share with families and caregivers today!

Smart Tip #4: Set Yourself Up for Fall

You know how hectic back-to-school season can be—so set up “future you” for success now. Clean and label bins, prep materials you’ll need in the first few weeks, and store go-to activities where they’re easy to find.

Need to upgrade your setup? Check out our Tools for Therapists, including Office Plus Everyday Wobble Chair, Office Adjustable Pivot Stool, and fidgets to promote better posture and productivity.

Smart Tip #5: Don’t Forget You

The end of the school year is a time to celebrate your hard work and impact. Make space for rest and recharge this summer. Whether you’re attending professional development, diving into a new book, or simply taking a break, your well-being is vital.

Looking to grow your skills? Therapro offers free on-demand webinars, blogs, and professional resources to support your learning all year long.

Final Thought:
The end of the school year is a moment to celebrate progress—and set students up for success. With a bit of planning and the right tools, therapists can empower families to keep the momentum going all summer long.

Wrap-Up with Confidence

As you wrap up this school year, know that the small steps you take now can ease transitions, prevent skill loss, and give both students and therapists a strong start for the fall. From summer activity ideas to transition tools and therapy essentials, Therapro is here to support you every step of the way.

👉 Explore all of these tools and more at Therapro.com!

The OT’s Role in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

April 16, 2025Daily Living, Sensory Regulation, Therapist Resourcesadaptive utensils, movement breaks, occupational therapy (OT) tools, product spotlight, self-care, self-regulation, sensory strategies, social participationAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in promoting a healthy lifestyle by supporting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. From physical activity and sensory regulation to healthy eating habits and stress management, OTs empower individuals to build routines that enhance their overall health.

This Occupational Therapy Month, let’s explore key strategies OTs use to promote healthy lifestyles and share resources to support therapists in their work.

1. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles with Physical Activity & Movement 🚶‍♂️💪

Regular movement is essential for strength, coordination, balance, and overall well-being. Occupational therapists encourage fun, engaging activities that promote motor skills and physical fitness in both children and adults.

Therapro’s Top Picks for Movement & Mobility:

🔹 Wobble Chairs & Stability Discs – Great for improving core strength and active sitting in classrooms and therapy sessions.
🔹 Balance Boards & Stepping Stones – Help with coordination, balance, and motor planning while keeping movement engaging.
🔹 Therapy Balls – Ideal for vestibular input and postural control exercises.
🔹Resistance Bands – Fun ways to develop upper body strength, endurance, and proprioceptive input.

🔹 Browse more movement tools here: Therapro’s Move-To-Learn Collection

💡 Therapist Tip: Incorporate movement breaks throughout the day to help children and adults maintain focus, regulate energy levels, and reduce stress.

Two Yellow Balance Pods used by OT’s in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles — Balance Pods

Kore Kids Wobble Chair used by OT’s in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles — Balance Pods

2. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles with Sensory Regulation & Mindfulness 🧘‍♀️

Managing sensory input and practicing mindfulness are essential for reducing stress and supporting mental well-being. OTs use sensory-friendly activities to help individuals stay calm, focused, and self-regulated throughout the day.

Therapro’s Top Picks for Sensory Support:

🔹 Fidget Tools – Support focus and self-regulation with tools like Therapro’s Fidget Kit and Koosh Ball Fidgets.
🔹 Weighted Products – Deep pressure input from Weighted Blankets, Compression Vests, and Shoulder Wraps can provide a calming effect.
🔹 Chews & Oral Motor Tools – Items like Chewable Jewelry and Bite-N-Chew Tips help with oral sensory needs and self-soothing.
🔹 Sensory Seating – Products like the Disc ‘O’ Sit Cushion promote active sitting while offering subtle movement input.
🔹 Therapeutic Brushes & Tactile Sensory Items – The Wilbarger Therapressure Brush supports sensory defensiveness, while Cuddle Balls provide rich tactile input.

🔹 Explore more sensory tools here: Therapro’s Sensory Collection

💡 Therapist Tip: Create a sensory toolkit for home, school, or therapy sessions, including fidgets, weighted tools, and calming visuals to support self-regulation throughout the day.

Chewelry Necklace/Bracelet a tool OT's use in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles — Chewelry

3. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles with Healthy Eating Habits & Self-Care 🍎🥗

Nutrition and self-care routines are essential parts of a balanced lifestyle. OTs help individuals with feeding challenges, adaptive utensils, and personal care skills to promote independence in daily routines.

Therapro’s Top Picks for Mealtime & Self-Care:

🔹 Adaptive Utensils & Cups – Products like the TheraBear Drinking Cup and Maroon Spoons support individuals with oral motor and self-feeding challenges.
🔹 Plate Guards & Non-Slip Placemats – Tools such as the Inner Lip Plate and Dycem Mats help prevent spills and encourage independent eating.
🔹 Visual Schedules & Timers – Supports like the Time Timer can help establish structured mealtime and self-care routines.
🔹 Dressing & Grooming Aids – Items like Button Hooks, Shoehorns, and Zipper Pulls assist with developing dressing independence.
🔹 Oral Motor Tools – Whistles, straws, and chew tools aid in strengthening oral muscles for feeding and speech development.

🔹 Explore more daily living tools here: Therapro’s Daily Living Collection

💡 Therapist Tip: Encourage families to set up predictable daily routines using visual schedules, timers, and adaptive tools to promote independence and reduce stress.

4. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles with Social Participation & Mental Health 🤝💬

A healthy lifestyle includes building meaningful relationships, developing social-emotional skills, and managing emotions effectively. OTs support clients in fostering social communication, emotional regulation, and self-awareness to promote overall well-being.

Therapro’s Top Picks for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):

🔹Social Awareness & Conversation Tools – Games like Let’s Talk Cubes and Webber® Photo Cards – What Are They Thinking? encourage turn-taking, perspective-taking, and conversation-building.
🔹 Coping & Self-Regulation Tools – The Big Feelings Pineapple and My Spark Cards Tool Box teach essential strategies for stress management and emotional resilience.

🔹 Explore more SEL resources here: Therapro’s Social-Emotional Learning Collection

💡 Therapist Tip: Use visual supports, role-playing, and structured social games to reinforce emotional regulation, problem-solving, and positive interactions in therapy sessions.

Join the Conversation! 🗣

💡 What are your favorite OT strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles? Tag @Therapro in your social media posts!

Let’s work together to empower individuals to move, learn, and live well every day!

Creating Sensory Spaces for Wellbeing

December 10, 2024Calming Tools, Sensory, Sensory Regulationclassroom strategies, occupational therapy (OT) tools, self-regulation, sensory strategiesGuest Blogger

In today’s fast-paced world, having a calming retreat is essential for individuals who may experience sensory overload, including children and adults with autism, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, or anxiety. Sensory spaces provide these much-needed areas of refuge, offering tools to regulate emotions, improve focus, and promote overall wellbeing. Whether you’re a therapist designing a clinic, an educator enhancing a classroom, or a parent creating a calming corner at home, sensory spaces can make a significant difference.

What is a Sensory Space?

A sensory space is a carefully designed environment that provides sensory input to help individuals regulate their emotions, behaviors, and sensory processing needs. These spaces are often used to support children and adults with sensory processing challenges, such as those with autism, ADHD, or sensory integration disorders. Sensory spaces can include calming elements like soft lighting, weighted blankets, and gentle music, as well as stimulating features such as textured surfaces, bubble tubes, and interactive activities. The goal is to create a balanced setting that promotes relaxation, focus, or engagement, depending on the individual’s needs.

The Importance of Sensory Spaces

Sensory spaces are vital for individuals with sensory processing challenges as they provide a safe, controlled environment to meet unique sensory needs. These spaces are essential for promoting emotional regulation, reducing anxiety, and fostering focus and engagement. These spaces are more than just calming zones—they empower individuals by offering opportunities to explore sensory experiences in a controlled, therapeutic manner. Whether it’s the soothing glow of a bubble tube or the tactile engagement of sensory-rich objects, these elements foster relaxation, learning, and emotional balance. By offering a mix of calming and stimulating elements, sensory spaces empower individuals to better navigate their environments, enhance self-awareness, and build skills for independence. For children in therapeutic, educational, or home settings, these spaces are a critical tool for supporting holistic development and well-being.

Therapro’s Plug-and-Play Sensory Solutions

At Therapro, we understand the importance of accessible sensory solutions. Creating a sensory space doesn’t have to involve extensive renovations or large areas. Products like the Luminea Corner, SENcastle All-In-One Sensory Room, and Luminea Bubble Tube Kits offer practical, ready-to-use options for therapists, educators, and parents.

The Luminea Corner, a compact yet impactful sensory environment

Luminea Corner: This innovative solution combines sensory integration with skill development through its compatibility with the Luminea app. The app enables dynamic interaction with the bubble tube and fiber optic lights, offering a customizable light display that can be used to work on fine motor skills, visual perception, and speech goals. This dual-purpose setup not only creates a calming sensory retreat but also transforms the space into an engaging therapeutic tool tailored to individual developmental needs.

The SENcastle: Perfect for small spaces or as a cozy corner within a larger sensory room, the SENcastle All-In-One Sensory Room provides everything needed to create a calming and engaging environment for self-regulation and relaxation. Its centerpiece, a captivating light column, integrates visual and auditory elements to stimulate multiple senses. Additionally, the SENcastle includes weighted, vibrating, and tactile pillows that target the tactile, auditory, proprioceptive, and visual senses, making it a compact yet comprehensive solution for sensory integration and therapeutic support.

Luminea Bubble Tube Kits: These versatile kits are designed to adapt to a variety of spaces, with three distinct base options that cater to different sensory and therapeutic needs. The simple protector module provides a sleek, minimalist design that safeguards the electronics while maintaining easy access. The square base offers a sturdy seating area, allowing users to sit comfortably and view the bubble tube from multiple angles, ideal for group or one-on-one sessions. The corner base is perfect for maximizing space efficiency, enabling users to interact with the bubble tube from a seated or floor-level position while enjoying a cozy, immersive experience. Each of these options ensures that the bubble tube is both functional and accessible, providing visual stimulation to support sensory integration and therapeutic goals.

Tips for Designing Your Sensory Space

Adapt to Your Space: With Therapro’s modular options, even small spaces can become sensory havens.
Prioritize Accessibility: Ensure the sensory tools are easy to access and interact with for users of all abilities.
Maximize Comfort: Incorporate soft seating, cushions, or mats to create a welcoming environment.
Incorporate Multi-Sensory Elements: Combine visual, tactile, and auditory stimuli for a holistic sensory experience.

Make the Most of Your Space with Therapro

At Therapro, we understand the challenges of designing sensory spaces. That’s why our solutions are thoughtfully designed to be effective, user-friendly, and adaptable. Whether you’re a professional or a parent, our sensory tools provide the perfect foundation for creating spaces that enhance well-being and promote regulation.

Explore the Luminea Corner, SENcastle, and Luminea Bubble Tube Kit to get started on your sensory space journey. Together, we can create environments where individuals feel calm, supported, and ready to thrive.