Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support
Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support

Sensory Processing Slime, Sensory Dough & Putty Play 

Children with sensory differences ... painting the world beautiful.  
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Sensory Processing Slime, Sensory Dough & Putty Play 

Jeanette Loftus 

parent and child who has sensory processing disorder making play dough and slime Sensory Processing Slime, Sensory Dough & Putty Play
Some children who have Sensory Processing Disorder struggle with sensory tactile defensiveness and it can cause them significant difficulties in their daily lives.

The goal to doing tactile activities with your child is to decrease their sensory tactile defensiveness. Tactile defensiveness affects how a child responds to touch. Children with tactile defensiveness may experience extreme discomfort to being touched or touching different textures.

Engaging in sensory play activities like playing with slime, putty or sensory play dough can provide so many benefits for children with tactile defensiveness.

Tactile sensory input is touch to the skin. Tactile defensiveness is the type of sensory dysfunction.

Tactile defensiveness is when a child feels a negative response to touch. This response can be mild or severe causing discomfort, anxiety or panic. A child will avoid or resist being touched. They may pull away or cry when touched.

 Some children will react strongly to different textures and may be sensitive to specific fabrics, tags and food textures.
Children who struggle with tactile defensiveness sometimes have difficulty with self-care like brushing their teeth, washing their hands and getting dressed in the morning can be very challenging for them. They may become anxious, irritable and aggressive in response to sensory tactile input.

When your child tells you that something that is touching them hurts or is uncomfortable, they are being truthful. They are having a negative response to the tactile sensory input. Sensory play is when a child engages in sensory activities that stimulate the senses like touch. Playing with slime, putty and sensory play dough provides children with tactile defensiveness with several benefits.

Tactile sensory activities expose children to tactile input in a gradual way. They can start small and gradually increase the sensory input as they become more comfortable. Children can develop increased tolerance for tactile input. This will reduce their sensitivity and discomfort.
Benefits Of Sensory Play
Fine/gross motor skills
Cognitive development
Hand-eye coordination
Exploring with all senses
Supports self-regulation
There are many daily activities that can cause a child to become tactile defensive such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, cutting nails, washing themselves or brushing their hair.
Sensory play can help children with tactile defensiveness learn to self-regulate their responses to touch. They can learn to calm themselves down and cope with overwhelming sensory input. 
Playing with slime, putty, and play dough can be calming and therapeutic for children with tactile defensiveness. It provides a safe and controlled way for them to experience touch without the anxiety or discomfort they may experience in other situations.
These sensory activities help children become more aware of their own bodies and sensations. They can learn to identify and differentiate between different textures and pressures.
Tips for Using Slime, Putty, and Play Dough with Tactile Defensive Children

Start gradually:Introduce the activity slowly and with small amounts.
Choose appropriate materials:Select slime, putty, or play dough with textures that are tolerable for the child.
Provide support: Observe the child's reactions and provide encouragement or support as needed.
Allow for breaks: If the child becomes overwhelmed, take a break and try again later.
Make it fun: Engage the child in playful activities that make sensory play enjoyable.

Sensory play activities, particularly those involving slime, putty, and play dough, can provide numerous benefits for children with tactile defensiveness. These activities can help reduce sensitivity, improve regulation, enhance self-awareness and relieve anxiety. 
When a child who has sensory processing disorder plays with different tactile sensory activities that their occupational therapist has included in their sensory diet, children with sensory tactile defensiveness can overcome sensory challenges. 

50 Tactile Sensory Activities
27. create art using Wikki Stix
28. Wilbarger brushing
29. Wrap up in a compression sheet
30. Roll up like a hotdog in a blanket
31. Sit in a sensory pressure canoe (Peapod/Cozy Canoe)
32. Write or draw on a chalk board using chalk
33. Play with jello
34. Roll over body with deep pressure rolling pin
35. Swing in a caccoon swing
36. Play in sensory rice and add different textured toys
37. Water play
38. A walk in nature and exploring different textures
39. Explore using kinetic sand
40. Holding a tactile sensory vibration pillow
41. Dance around on textured floor tiles
42. Explore with sensory sequin tools (fidgets/lap pad)
43. Snuggle up in a weighted blanket
44. Add paint in a ziplock bag and explore the texture
45. Washing dishes
46. Make sensory balloon fidgets with different fillings
47. Squeezing therapy putty or digging in putty to find objects
48. Moving and dancing in a sensory body sock
49. Playing in cooked/uncooked pasta
50. Sitting on a bean bag chair
1.Exploring and playing in sensory bins
2. Painting with finger paints
3. Playing in a sand box
4. Writing and playing in shaving cream
5. Using fidgets
6. Making and playing with slime
7. Making cookies with cookie dough
8. Squeezing, rolling and squeezing play dough
9. Apply different lotions to the body
10. Play using puppets with different textures
11. Make mud pies
12. Use different textured fabrics to touch skin
13. Wearing sensory friendly clothing
14. Games with contact (piggybacks/wrestling)
15. Back rubs
16. Bear hugs and tight squeezes
17. Rolling different textured balls over the body
18. Wear compression clothing
19. Use a weighted vest
20. Heavy work activities
21. Play with water beads
22. Use a vibrating hand massager
23. Jumping in leaves and throwing them in the air
24. Gardening and playing in the dirt
25. Use different textured brushes or cloths at bath time
26. Apply different textured sensory brushes to the skin
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Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support 

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DISCLAIMER: I have learned a lot over the years but I am still learning. Always do your own research and exercise sound judgment. I am not an occupational therapist or a physician. I am an adult who has sensory processing disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists or medical professionals give you. These are just ideas that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for awareness and support purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different sensory needs. Please always consult with a professional. 
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