Sensory Seekers Children who are considered “sensory seekers” are those who have a higher neurological threshold for sensory input. They seek more sensory input in order to feel “normal” and regulated. Given the sensory cup example from the amazing OT Butterfly, the sensory seeking child has a very large sensory cup and they need more sensory input to fill that cup. Signs of a Sensory Seeker Here are some signs your child may be a sensoryContinue reading “Activities for Sensory Seekers”
Tag Archives: DeveloPlay Box
The Importance of Tactile Sensory Play
The Tactile System The tactile system, or sense of touch refers to the information we receive through the receptors in our skin. These receptors monitor our sensations including light touch, pressure (deep touch), temperature, and pain. They help us discriminate things we touch and come in contact with such as textures, shapes, size, and weight (North Shore Pediatric Therapy). Touch receptors begin developing in the womb and start with the face (Morgan, J., 2017)! WhenContinue reading “The Importance of Tactile Sensory Play”
Best Toys for Non-Verbal Autistic Children
Parents of children who have autism can face challenges throughout their parenting experience. Children who have autism often communicate differently than children who do not, and in this post, we will be discussing non-verbal autism. Non-verbal autism simply means that the autistic child does not speak. It does not mean that they are unable to speak or that they cannot communicate, but instead that they may not have developed the verbal communication skills necessaryContinue reading “Best Toys for Non-Verbal Autistic Children”
Best Fidget Toys for Kids with ADHD
Everyone fidgets– you may bite your nails, play with your hair, click your pen, doodle on your paper, or bounce your leg. “Fidgets” have become a common craze today in the world of our kids, but there is actually science behind why fidget tools help some kids focus. Some children’s brains are seeking more input to stay at the “just right” arousal level. For example, a child who is “seeking” input may be constantly moving,Continue reading “Best Fidget Toys for Kids with ADHD”
Where to Buy Toys for Autistic Children
Parents of children with autism are well aware of the importance of providing developmentally appropriate toys to their children that promote healthy sensory development. There are lots of great resources on the web that cover which toys are best for children with autism and what specific aspects of healthy sensory motor development they can help (see our post How Does Sensory Play Help Child Development). However, we thought it might be valuable toContinue reading “Where to Buy Toys for Autistic Children”
How Can Mindfulness Help Children with Anxiety?
The term “Mindfulness” has been something of a buzzword over the last twenty years or so, and for good reason. There are clinical studies and peer reviewed data that back up the effectiveness of mindfulness practice on happiness, focus, and emotional regulation in human beings. There are companies that have started to conduct optional mindfulness training for their employees at the workplace and many psychologists use mindfulness practice as a suggestion for theirContinue reading “How Can Mindfulness Help Children with Anxiety?”
How Does Sensory Play Help Child Development?
Children experience their world through the senses. As living beings, we rely on our senses to navigate through different environments, tasks, and activities throughout the day. The more we engage with our senses, the more we enrich our experiences. The process of engaging in sensory stimulations is especially important for children because their brains are developing and taking in tons of information that will help them shape how they interact with their world. Continue reading “How Does Sensory Play Help Child Development?”
Why Sensory Play is So Important for Children with ASD
As human beings, we experience our world through our senses. We use taste to appreciate an incredible meal, touch to experiences the joy of petting a dog or cat, we may take in the sights and sounds of theater, or a movie….and we stop to smell the roses! For children, sensory play and sensory stimulation are important for development. It is even more important for children with Autism because motor skill development can beContinue reading “Why Sensory Play is So Important for Children with ASD”
The Best Sensory Toys for Children with Autism
The Best Sensory Toys For Children With Autism The CDC states that about 1 in 54 children are born with Autism in the United States of America, and it is prevalent in children from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Being a parent of a child with autism can come with extra stress and even an increase in mental and physical health problems when compared to parents of children with other developmental disorders. Whatever theContinue reading “The Best Sensory Toys for Children with Autism”