Sensory Enrichment Therapy

One of the most important areas of development for a child on the autism spectrum is the ability to self regulate and tolerate stimuli.  One way to assist your child in developing these activities is to provide opportunities for your child to engage in sensory-based activities.  Just as healthy food is vital for your child to function at their highest capacity, healthy sensory input is needed to help your child learn to focus, attend, and engage. This is often known as a "Sensory Diet". 

A sensory diet is made up of several different components:

Proprioception Activities: Help your child develop a sense of spatial awareness

Active Proprioceptive

• Pulling a wagon filled with weights
• Pushing a wheelbarrow filled with dirt or sand
• Hammering nails
• Mold earth clay or therapy putty  
• Jumping rope
• Beanbag toss

Passive Proprioceptive

• Wearing a weighted therapy vest  or rice pack
• Brushing or deep pressure
• Vibrating toys
• Swaddling in a blanket

Vestibular Motion: Movement and balance activities

• Rocking in a rocking chair or rocking toy
• Spinning on a tire swing
• Swinging in a hammock
• Turning around on a swivel chair
• Jumping on a mini-trampoline or mattress
• Standing on a balance board
• Walking across a balance beam
• Walking on a line of tape on the carpet

Tactile Activities: Sensory based activities involving the sense of touch

• Digging in a box filled with rice or beans
• Sand play (wet sand is best)
•  Shaving cream or thick fingerpaint
• Fabric matching activities

Auditory Activities: Involving the sense of sound

•  Sound cylinders
• Shaking bells
• Musical toys (use caution to avoid overstimulation)
• Sound recognition games

Smelling/Tasting Activities

• Blindfolded tasting game
•  Playing with scented balls
• Aromatherapy oils (use only pure oils for direct skin contact)

Recommended Resources:
Raising a Sensory Smart Child 
The Out of Sync Child and The Out of Sync Child Has Fun
Sensory Processing Disorder
SPD Foundation
OT Mom
99 Sensory Activities for any child