What are some of the best sensory activities/products for children with autism?

Question

This question is for parents of children with autism and autism professionals. I am looking to provide a really good sensory diet for my 3-year-old daughter, who has autism. Therapy catalogs are full of pricey products. Which ones have you found to be the best?

Answer 1

hi there! My son is 3yrd old and has asd, autistic spectrum disorder.

I have several things for him

I have a big tupperware item filled with beans ( uncooked ) and I hide farm animals in them so he has to put his hands into the beans to find his animals


I also have a rice one as well. Yes they can make a mess but its fun

Also bath foam from walmart, put a little bit on a paper plate or mat and let them put their hands in it to paint with.

I have a book also where I make things, its a book the professionals at TEACHH here in NC use. If you would like the name of it, email me!

There's lots of stuff I do with him, playdoh, cooked noodels in a container ( this one we are working on still,lol )

theres lots of stuff you can do around the house and make!

email me at [e-mail]

We can help and support each other.

Answer 2

My son has Sensory Integration Disorder. He has been tested for autism, because he does display some of those tendencies, but they said they were due to the SID.

For sensory, we found what worked really good was "brushing" 4-5 times a day. Joint compressions work really well too. We did that right along with all the brushing.

When we went to therapy, they had this tube of material. It was like this stretchy material that you use for sewing, for necklines and sleeve cuffs. I can't remember what it is called though. It was probably about 10-12 feet long. Then Zach would crawl through it, sometimes he would try to push a beach ball through it too. We went to the sewing store and bought some on clearance. Even the neighbor kids had fun climbing through this tunnel. You have to have an adult (or big kids) holding the ends. The darkness and the enclosure of climbing through this tunnel really seemed to benefit Zach. I don't remember the technical terms, as it has been a few years now, but I do remember the fun we had with it.

Answer 3

Chase Games

Tag
Follow-the-Leader
Obstacle Courses
Red Light/Green Light
Running Races
Exercise Games

Simon Says
Obstacle Course
"If You're Happy & You Know It"
Incorporate:

Jumping Jacks
Stretching
Situps and Pullups
Tumbling/Head Stands
Balance Beam
Standing on one leg
Wheelbarrow

Swinging/Bouncing

Inside swings
Trampoline
Hang-bar
Tire Swing
Outside swings
Outside trolley
Exercise ball
Squeezables

Nerf balls
Gak, floam, flubber, silly putty
Play catch with any ball
Incorporate those activities plus others listed in the box below into as many of your games as possible. Be sure to work in a sensory activity at least every half hour.

EVERY HALF HOUR AND ANYTIME
Other Sensory Stimulation

Everything on the other list plus:

Smelling Scents Game
Rubbing/Brushing (brush firmly and consistently--avoid stomach)
Rolling Up In Blanket
Crawling through a "caterpillar" (long tube of stretchy fabric)
Dragging/Sliding Around Room
Silly Walks (e.g., crab walk)
Ball and Bat
Imitating Songs
Hand Games
Stilts/Roller Skates
Jump Rope
CALMING ACTIVITIES
8:30AM Bath, Brushing, Deep Pressure

3:15PM Child's choice (e.g., biking)

6:30PM Supper, Bath, Deep Pressure, Free Play, Stories, Bed

this is close to the diet i use for my daughter

Answer 4

13 yr old autistic I know... can't get enough of his beans.

He stims off anything that he can pick up and let fall through his fingers, at home it's beans inside, or a gravel pile outside. When he's on vacation/trips/visiting, it's a big tub of rice. A ball pit would work too.

His second choice was a trampoline.

Weighted vests , body gloves, and flat swings worked pretty well too.

Answer 5

ok i just have a friend with a child with autism and the best thing for a child with autism is music its a great way for them to exprece themselves and fun to

Answer 6

Try these portable swings. The link is here:
http://www.takeaswing.com/