Read "The Out Of Sync Child Has Fun." It's got lots of good ideas. Some
other suggestions:
A weighted blanket (how old is he? we began using one at 3 yrs, dd is
pretty
small for age, that's why we waited. until then, we snuggled her body w/
washable stuff animals, that helped some), that has helped dd so much.
They offer some discounts on eBay too, but here's the site:
DreamCatcher
We also have beanbag chairs, dd falls/jumps into them. We also "squish"
her, she lays in one, & we put one over her body. Or, we roll a soft ball
(like a gertie ball) over her back. She LOVES this. In PT, we learned to
work out on the exercise ball: sit him on a large ball, put an item of
interest down to the side, while supporting him near his thighs, have him
reach down (using all his core) to grab the item. Move the item(s) in
various positions (in front, to his side, & almost behind him), as he gets
stronger, move item further away so he continues to work hard. Have
him go on his tummy on the ball & look up as best he can. He can also
be "Superman" by putting his head up & arms/legs out (tummy only on
ball). Sitting on the ball while he watches TV, you keep your hands by his
hips for some support, gently move the ball around a bit. He'll have to
keep his balance, get some sensory integration, & strengthen that core.
When he is able to, bear crawling & frog jumping are GREAT too. Get
some fun magnets (I know they have Thomas sets, maybe other
characters, or colorforms & stick on wall), & have him place them up on
the fridge, making sure he has to stretch to reach where he needs to put
them. As he gets stronger, make him reach to where he is on this
tippytoes, looking up, stretching arms up. Working on stairs, curbs, etc.,
first just walking, once he's mastered that, jumping down (curb). Filling a
laundry basket w/ some heavy items (canned goods, whatever you can
find) & have him push that around the house. I'll pm you when I think of
what else dd does & has done in the past to help her tone.
On the go, we use a weighted backpack (weighted w/ board books), a
weighted lap pad is great for in the car too. We attached her My Stimmy!
(from eBay) to her carseat too, travels easy. For oral seeking, we just got
chewelery, & have always used the Ark grabbers & other stuff like that
(now that we have done away w/ paci). Our dd goes through phases w/
her sensory behaviors. She used to avoid most touch, but now is more
sensory seeking. Flip
Just want to make sure you saw this thread that was here a little while ago JessicaO'e message had some SUPER links to another autism website where if I remember right someone called Donna had posted just AMAZING tips
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18324&am p;KW=Sensory+Diet
We have body sox and beanbag chairs. We have a large trampoline in the back yard, which is a favorite of C's. We used to do a lot more rolling around on the floor and climbing on things before last summer when the training wheels came off his bike. Now when he needs input he either takes off on his bike (he rides SO fast it's scary) or jumps on the trampoline. Those are the two favorites.
When Cole was a baby and was delayed in his crawling (he was 3+ months premature) I built a scooterboard of sorts, although at the time, didn't know that this was what it was.
I got one of those round plant holders on wheels. Do you know what I"m talking about? You can put a heavy plant on this flat round thing with wheels underneath. I also bought a cushioned bar stool cover, maybe from Walmart or Target, and slipped it on.
We'd put him on this padded skateboard and push him along his carpeted bedroom floor, past some clusters of toys, just so he could experience how cool it'd be if he'd get moving.
If you don't have a scooterboard at home, this was a pretty cheap thing to put together and the padded seat cover made it comfortable.
I need some new ideas for my son who is increasing in his sensory seeking behaviors.
We have a mini-trampolene, therapy ball, swing set. He loves joint compressions and requests me to do this. He is always trying to squish up behind me on the couch and hanging all over us. He loves to swing in a blanket when we have two people to swing him. I squish him in pillow. He loves swimming and we are able to go once a week. He has very low muscle tone as well. He is having trouble sleeping again and loves to snuggle with us. Sleeps fine if he can be touching someone else. Not sure that I want to allow it, though. Tried adding extra pillows to his bed, but they all end up on the floor.
So, any other ideas? Exercises or simple things to do on the go. Any reason why this is increasing all of the sudden?
A donkey kick is when you go forward on you hands, almost like you're going into a hand stand, and kick back with your legs. Might be a little tough!Mama to Sam 8yrs PDD NOS OCD ODD PPD and Alex 2 yrs
Oh- also I made Sam a *Cuddle Swing* basically 4yds of fabric sewed into a tube (just one seam, easy peasy) Thread a thick rope through middle and hang from a tree. Sam LOVES to spin in this. The deep pressure feels great, it's coocoon-like and you can help strenghten upper his body by getting him to lay on his tummy and reach up to grab your hands so you can swing him around. We've been having tons of fun from this DIY cuddle swing. Google Cuddle Swing for a pic. I also made Sam his own Body Sox but to be honest he hasn't taken to it like I hoped (glad I made one for .00 instead of paying . for the name brand) Do you know someone who loves to sew??
Thanks! Those are some great ideas. I'm excited for him to go to school. The school is very heavy on gross motor. Giant trampolene, obstacle course set up daily, slide, etc. all in a carpeted gym/classroom. It's not for special needs, but they are willing to work with him and I hope he gets gross motor confidence (and social experiences) out of it. We are also sending an aid.
You are quite talented--I'm impressed!
You could have him do donkey kicks, crab walking, frog jumps and heavy marching. Do you have a handled hopping ball? How about a pogo stick? Your son might enjoy a game of hopscotch, tug-o-war or wrestling.What is a donkey kick? He's not quite strong enough for crab walking or wheel barrel walking yet. We do have a handled hopping ball. He can't get the hang of it, though. Maybe I need to help him differently. Tug of war and wrestling he loves. Thanks, great ideas. His core is pretty weak--trying to strengthen those muscles. I really need to get him back in OT and PT, but insurance won't cover it and I can't find anyone who was able really address his needs. Wow, thanks. great ideas.LeAnne - that's a great DIY scooter board! I know what my next project isWe bought him a crazy car - you sit in it and it has two huge wheels. The only way to make it move (either forward, back, or spin) is to turn the handles on the wheels. It builds upper muscle strength and coordination.
Try this site for tips! http://www.sensorysmarts.com/diet.html
We got him a huge box and filled it with kidney beans, black beans, other beans almost 2/3 of the way to the top. He immerses himself in it and plays with toys in it. Though now at 3 he's tired of it.
We give him a deep oil massage after his nightly shower or bath.
We let him knead dough when we are baking. It builds strength.
He used to play with playdoh alot.
We bought him a squiggly pen (spelling?) which vibrates as you are trying to write. It helps with his hand control and he likes the vibration.
The weighted anklets help him sometimes.
We bought him a gym mat and he does tumbling at home.
We fill up the sink with water and put toys in it and he does water play standing on a step stool now and then.
We bought him some of that squishy washable bathub gel or paint (forget the name of it) to use on bathtub walls and get messy in it. He really had a tough time acclimating to this though.
It took us a year of almost daily trips to the park in the spring, summer, and fall before he would ride the merrygoround. Now he can tolerate it for some time. He built most of his strength from climbing the toys there.
We played a game where I laid a blanket on the carpeted floor and he and I took turns having the other make us into a hotdog (roll up tight with blanket around).
He did spirographs.
We bought him scented clay in different fruit scents.
We let him cook with us and he gets to sniff and put in the seasonings - cinnamon, ginger, pepper, nutmeg...
We got him these huge magnets - a pair- and played with these to build some arm strength.
We did wheelbarrows - I hold legs and he walks on his hands...have to make a game up for this.
We let him buy scented soaps but to only be used at bathtime..but for long baths if he wants it.
I'm mentioning those things we did that I think some others didn't mention. But I only skimmed the previous posts so I apologize if I've mentioned things already said.
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