Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support

Sensory Diet Visual Tools & Toys for Sensory Processing

Children with sensory differences ... painting the world beautiful.

Sensory Diet Visual Tools & Toys for Sensory Processing

Jeanette Loftus

There are many tools and strategies that can help children with sensory processing disorder, Visual tools can help children with sensory differences to regulate their responses to sensory input, leading to improved functioning.

Sensory visual tools can be used in therapy sessions or at home. These tools are designed to engage the senses and help children with sensory processing disorder to better navigate their surroundings. Sensory processing disorder can impact a child's functioning but with the right tools and strategies, they can learn to better regulate their responses to sensory input.

Visual tools are specifically designed to stimulate the senses. There are toys with different textures for tactile input, toys with different colors and lights for visual input, and toys with different sounds for auditory input. These toys allow children to explore and discover different sensory experiences.

5-16% of children experience sensory processing disorder, which can range from being over-sensitive to certain sensory input, such as loud noises or textures, to under-sensitive, where they may have difficulty feeling or responding to sensory input. Sensory differences can greatly impact a child's daily functioning and can make simple tasks like getting dressed or going to school difficult.

Sensory tents and tunnels are also great sensory visual tools for children. They provide a safe and enclosed space for children to play and explore, while also stimulating their senses. Tents and tunnels can be filled with different textures, such as pillows or bean bags, to provide tactile input, or they can be lit with string lights to provide visual input. Children can also use these spaces as a calming and quiet area when they are feeling overstimulated.

Sensory visual tools can also be used in therapy sessions to help children with sensory processing disorder regulate their responses to sensory input. Sensory visual tools can also be used with other therapies, such as occupational or speech therapy, to further enhance a child's sensory integration and functioning.

These tools can also be used at home to support children with sensory processing disorder. Parents can create a sensory corner in their home where they can keep a variety of sensory visual tools for their child to explore and use as needed. This can help children with sensory processing disorder to regulate their sensory input.