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Sensory activities for children with ASD
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Here are some activities that are wonderful for anyone who has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These help with different sensory issues. If you see that the child becomes overwhelmed stop the activity.
The Stomp:
This helps develop a level of integrative functions.
1. Stand in an open space
2. Stomp twice on left leg, then stomp once on your right leg
3. Resting in between repeat this pattern until it becomes smooth it should look like this
L,L,R, rest L,L,R, rest or R,R,L, rest R,R,L, rest
Face Tapping:
This awakens and relaxes the trigeminal nerve which is one of twelve pairs of cranial nerves. It may induce facial muscle tone for nonverbal expression. It also may help support speech production as wells as hearing, vision, and a sense of calmness.
1. Tap with two fingers on each hand and rhythmically alternating from one hand to another. Using a fast tempo tap with enough pressure to produce a tingling feeling.
2. The tapping pattern should always be the same so the brain eventually begins to anticipate the feeling.
3. Using the temple as the start and finish of each stroke. Start at the temple tap across above the eyebrows to the middle then up the forehead towards the hairline. Then back down, over the eyebrows and ending at the temples.
4. Next start at temples move under the eyes to the bridge of the nose and back.
5. From starting point come across cheek under nose and back.
6. Come down side of face under lips and back.
7. Lastly starting at temple again, tap back behind the ear down towards the neck to the earlobe.
Hoop Maze:
This activity enhances the vestibular system which contributes to our balance and sense of spatial orientation. For this one you will need one or two hula-hoops.
1. Hold hoops nearly vertical and with the lower edge of hoop at about knee height. Have child move through the hoop with out touching any part of the hoop. Don’t let the child dive through it, have them do it slowly with deliberation, they can however, crawl through it if necessary. Then have them return through the hoop in the opposite direction.
2. When it becomes easy to move through the hoop, change the position of the hoop to make it more difficult.
For these and more activities you can read the book The Fabric of Autism by Judith Bluestone which is available at amazon.com
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