Sensory integration therapy

Here are tactile oversensitivity (tactile defensiveness) activities for ASD children, designed to gradually help them tolerate different touch sensations in a structured, playful, and calming way 👇

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🌿 1. Deep Pressure & Proprioceptive Activities

These help calm the tactile system before introducing light touch:
• Bear hugs or using a weighted blanket or vest
• Pillow sandwich (child between two soft cushions)
• Animal walks (crab walk, bear walk)
• Rolling with therapy ball over arms, legs, and back
• Wall pushes or wheelbarrow walking

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🎨 2. Gradual Texture Exploration

Introduce textures slowly and playfully:
• Touch and play with dry textures first (rice, beans, sand)
• Progress to wet or sticky textures (playdough, slime, finger paint)
• Use texture bins – let child bury toys in textured materials and find them
• Texture walks – walking barefoot on grass, carpet, foam mats, pebbles

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🧸 3. Desensitization Through Play
• Brushing program (Wilbarger Protocol) – under OT supervision
• Sensory bin treasure hunt
• Textured puzzles or tactile books
• Sand play, foam soap play, or water beads exploration

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🧦 4. Daily Routine Integration

Include tactile input in daily life:
• Use varied fabrics in clothing and bedding
• Encourage self-lotion application or soap bubble play during bath
• Cooking activities – kneading dough, rolling chapati, mixing batter
• Art activities – finger painting, clay modeling, sponge painting

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🧘 5. Calming Strategies After Touch Activities
• Deep breathing
• Gentle massage with lotion or coconut oil
• Soft background music
• Using preferred soft textures (blanket, stuffed toy)

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