Autism Awareness Day 25: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers with Autism

Today's post is from Abby Brayton, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist practicing in southern California. She has five years of experience working with children with a diverse range of abilities, including children on the autism spectrum. Her work experience includes school based practice, early intervention, and feeding therapy. Abby recently began blogging about her experiences as a pediatric occupational therapist at www.pediatricotblog.blogspot.com and can be reached at AbbyPediatricOT [AT] gmail.com.

Sensory Strategies for Toddlers with Autism

Most children with autism exhibit difficulty with processing sensory information in their environment. This is so prevalent in children with autism that a sensory processing deficit is being considered as one of the diagnostic criteria for autism in the upcoming DSM-V.

Toddlers with autism often fall into one of these three categories:
1.       Over Responsive to Sensory Input: Highly sensitive to sensory input and may avoid sensory experiences (e.g. covers ears when hears loud noises, likes to hide in a dark place, selective eater, sensitive to clothing textures)
2.        Under Responsive to Sensory Input: Seems unresponsive to sensory input and may need additional or high intensity sensory input to register input (e.g. doesn’t respond to name being called, wanders aimlessly, doesn’t visually attend to toys, doesn’t notice when food in on face)
3.       Sensory Seeking: Seeks out excessive sensory input and may appear to be “on the go” all of the time (e.g. climbs on furniture, jumps off of furniture, spins in circles, puts everything in mouth, hits self, runs into walls or furniture)

Pediatric occupational therapists work with toddlers and their families to incorporate sensory activities into their daily routine to assist with their toddler’s sensory regulation. It is not uncommon for children to fall into a mixed pattern of sensory processing and you may notice that your toddler seems to be sensory seeking at times and over responsive at other times. Below are some sensory strategies for toddlers.

Sensory Strategies for the Over Responsive Toddler:

• Visual (eyes): Create a dark, quiet area for your toddler to retreat to when overwhelmed (e.g. an indoor tent, an empty closet with pillows), allow your toddler to wear sunglasses when outside, go to stores at a less crowded times of day so it will not be as visually overwhelming to your toddler.
• Auditory (ears): Allow your toddler to wear sound blocking headphones, go to stores at a less busy time of day so it will not be as noisy, play calming, rhythmical music prior to bedtime.
• Taste (mouth):  Introduce changes in food flavors slowly (e.g. if your toddler likes bananas, introduce banana pudding, banana yogurt, banana cookies, dried bananas).
• Smell (nose):  Avoid strong smelling detergents and lotions, use calming scents at bedtime (e.g. lavender, vanilla).
• Tactile (touch): Allow your toddler to wear seamless socks or tagless shirts, provide a napkin for your toddler to wipe his hands on when eating, cover your toddler with a soft blanket at naptime, encourage your toddler to touch new textures using a tool, such as a paintbrush or sponge, rather than his fingers.
• Vestibular (movement): Engage your toddler in slow, rhythmical movements, such as swinging or rocking.
• Proprioception (muscles): Provide deep pressure or joint compressions prior to engaging in more sensory challenging activities, wear tight fitting clothing, use an extra blanket at bedtime for additional weight, give bear hugs to your toddler.

Sensory Strategies for the Under Responsive Toddler:

• Visual (eyes): Encourage play with toys that have bright lights, make changes to his environment to encourage visual attention (e.g. move toys or the placement of highchair).
• Auditory (ears): Encourage play with toys that make noises, listen to fast-paced children’s music, exaggerate intonations in your voice when playing with your toddler.
• Taste (mouth): Introduce foods with strong flavors (e.g. sour, salty, spicy).
• Smell (nose): Use lotions or soaps with strong scents, such as mint to increase level of alertness
• Tactile (touch): Provide opportunities to explore various textures using sensory bins (e.g. rice, beans, sand) and messy play (e.g. finger paints, shaving cream).
• Vestibular (movement): Push your toddler on a swing at the park, swing your toddler high in the air, bounce on a large exercise ball.
• Proprioception (muscles): Provide crunchy or chewy snacks to “wake up” your toddler’s mouth, drink thick milkshakes, smoothies or applesauce through a straw, jump with your toddler on a trampoline.

Sensory Strategies for the Sensory Seeking Toddler:

• Visual (eyes): Look at books with bright colors, play with a rainmaker.
• Auditory (ears): Provide music making toys to play with (e.g. drums, maracas), listen to fast paced children’s music.
• Taste (mouth): Introduce foods with strong flavors (e.g. sour, salty, spicy).
• Smell (nose): Engage in scented play (e.g. crafts with cinnamon, scented Playdoh).
• Tactile (touch): Provide opportunities to explore various textures using sensory bins (e.g. rice, beans, sand) and messy play (e.g. finger paints, shaving cream), read touch and feel books, give bear hugs to your toddler.
• Vestibular (movement): Push your toddler on a swing at the park, swing your toddler in the air, bounce on a large exercise ball.
• Proprioception (muscles): Provide chewy or crunchy snacks for your toddler who frequently chews on toys, drink thick milkshakes, smoothies or applesauce through a straw, engage your toddler in animal walks or wheelbarrow walks, have your toddler push a heavy laundry basket down the hallway, have your toddler pull a wagon while going on a walk with the family, jump on a trampoline with your toddler, climb on a jungle gym.

This post is for general educational uses only. It is recommended that you consult with an occupational therapist for advice specific to your child.

Recommended reading for more information:
Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L, Maureen Kane-Wineland, PhD, OT/L, and Susan Swindeman, OTR/L, BCP
Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel, OTR/L and Nancy Peske
www.sensorysmarts.com