Do you have a Sensory Seeker at home? Are they very active and fidgety ? Are you wondering how to keep them calm and happy? Then worry no more, I may just have the answers your looking for.
My boy is a Sensory Seeker. This means he needs a lot of sensory input for all his senses. He can be very active, heavy handed and quite aggressive in his movements. He cannot help this. He is a Sensory Seeker which comes under the umbrella of Sensory Processing Disorder. About 90% of those with Autism, have sensory processing difficulties.
The other end of the spectrum is Sensory Avoiding. Children and adults in this category, avoid sensory stimulants from sound, touch and smell. Quite often they will avoid cuddles. Thankfully my boy loves a nice hug and i love receiving them from him.
Sometimes it is possible to have a combination of the two. For example my son needs a lot of physical activity as he craves the excitement of stimulating his senses, however when it comes to certain smells and sounds he is sensory avoidant. For example a very loud hand dryer or the bang of fireworks will frighten him and he will cover his ears. Ear defenders work very well in a situation like this. He is also very sensitive to smell. Open a packet of cheese and onion crisps near him, at your own risk!.
This is perhaps the most challenging aspect of my sons condition at the moment. He needs a lot of physical activity which i try to incorporate into his daily life. Soft play has been an amazing help along with a local Jumpin Fun which is a very large warehouse where the floor space is covered entirely with inflatables. The children and adults can jump alongside upbeat music. It’s good fun and i try to take him there once a week. Side note : I thought i was fit until i tried this!.
My son has also developed several Tics, which we don’t know if this is because of his Sensory Issues or Tourettes. Have a look at my previous post.
Click on the link . Is it Autism Tics or Tourettes?
Now in this post I would like to recommend the 3 resources that have made the biggest difference to our lives and why you should try them at home for your Sensory Seeker.
- SENSORY BODY SOCK
- SENSORY HUG SHIRT
- INFLATABLE WOBBLE CUSHION
This post does contain some Affiliate Links.If you make a purchase through my blog, i may receive a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.
Sensory Body Sock.
Body socks are typically used in Occupational Therapy sessions but are now available to purchase online and use at home. I first saw one of these at my sons old school and quickly realised the benefit. The sock provides deep pressure input which is soothing for the participant. I prefer the ones with a zip on the front. They come in a range of colours and sizes.
Click on the image below.
Sensory Hug Shirt.
Hug shirts work in a similar way to the body sock. They provide proprioceptive input for children and adults with autism. It soothes the body by providing pressure. Wearing a hug shirt feels like a soothing cuddle. My son wears one at school during his lessons and it really calms him. They come in a range of colours and sizes.
Click on the link which takes you directly to Sensory Direct where you can buy one of these.
Inflatable Wobble Cushion.
This inflatable cushion provides help with movement and balance. Normally used on a chair at home or in the class room, it encourages “active sitting” where children can sit and stay focused. The cushion is covered with dimples on the surface providing the child with body awareness when sitting and the need to fidget is lessened. Also available as a wedge style cushion for children who like to rock in their seat.
Click on the image below.
There you have my 3 must have resources for your active Sensory Seeker. I hope you find this article useful and you enjoy the products. Let me know what you think. Please like, comment or share.
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