Add weight as this provides proprioceptive input your teen may like a weighted blanket or weighted lap pad, a weighted ball or ankle weights or wrist weights – Use resistance bands to do some exercises Diana Henry’s Tools for Teens: Sensory Integration has a resistance band routine that I like to use with my teens as part of a home exercise program Check out the local gym and/or see if your teen can have access to the school gym as the weights and exercise equipment provide good proprioceptive input Look into extra-curricular activities that will meet this need such as gymnastics, swimming, martial arts lessons and indoor trampoline parks I hope something on this list will help your teen or the teens in your therapy practice or classroom! Strategies for Teens Who Seek Proprioceptive Input Once they realize what their sensory profile is, and that there are activities or strategies they can engage in to help their bodies, hopefully they will be on board!īelow are some strategies I like to use and/or that I have seen others use over the years. Have your teen fill out the printable checklist to determine if they may have seeking or avoiding tendencies in the areas of proprioceptive or vestibular processing. What can we do to help our vestibular seekers and avoiders? Before we help them, they need to understand what we are doing. Seeking out rocking, spinning and/or swaying Seeking out positions where head is upside down Engaging in “risky” climbing or movement activities and appearing to have a lack of safety awareness skateboarding, riding bike, sledding, roller coasters, etc.) Craving spinning, running or any other fast movements (i.e. Having difficulty focusing on seated learning activities Signs of Being Under-responsive to Vestibular Input These are the teens that we really need to watch out for and make sure this need is being fulfilled so they are not engaging in unsafe behaviors. On the other hand, teens who are under-responsive to vestibular input need more intense movement and vestibular input. Exhibiting negative behaviors or “acting out” when expected to engage in movement activities. Becoming disoriented when tipping head back or going upside down (or may avoid these movements altogether) Appearing cautious and hesitant with movement Disliking riding in cars or get easily sick from this movement Being fearful of or avoiding movement and heights – may not like to ride a bike, skateboard, swing or go on rides Signs of Being Hyper-sensitive to Vestibular Input Vestibular processing also plays a role in one’s ability to focus and attend. Vestibular processing impacts several areas including muscle tone, postural/trunk control, extensor tone, bilateral coordination, and eye movements. The vestibular receptors are located in the inner ear and are stimulated any time there is a change or movement in head position. Leaning against walls, furniture, or others The Vestibular System Hugging too hard, squeezing too hard with handshakes, using too much force for high-fives Having difficulty grading the force of movements: may break things often by being too forceful Struggling to move around in an efficient manner in crowded spaces (i.e. Appearing clumsy, often bumping into or tripping over things Struggling to complete activities such as jumping jacks, hopscotch and jumping rope Slumping in chair and/or often resting head on desk The reference of a “bull in a china shop” might apply to someone who is under-responsive to proprioceptive input! Signs of Being Under-responsive to Proprioceptive Input Kids who are not processing proprioceptive input effectively (under-responding) may appear clumsy, often bumping into things, tripping, and appearing to have a lack of body awareness. this tells us how hard to push on the gas and brakes and how high to step when climbing up or down stairs). The proprioceptive system provides information about where our bodies are in space, and it allows us to move without having to look at what body part we are moving (i.e. Examples include running, jumping, lifting weights and even chewing. Proprioceptors are located in our muscles and joints and, anytime input is given to the muscles and joints, we are stimulating this system. Looking for a streamlined approach for working with kids with sensory concerns and for communicating clearly with parents and caregivers about sensory processing? The RISE With Sensory Course is This class is AOTA approved for 7 hours (.7 CEU) and is the perfect starting point for new therapists, or refresher for experienced therapists. Whether you’re a parent or a professional, this course is for you! Are you ready to learn powerful sensory strategies to support kids’ sensory needs so they can RISE to their full potential?
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