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 👇 ⸻ 🌿 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 ⸻ 🎨 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 ⸻ 🧸 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 ⸻ 🧦 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 ⸻ 🧘 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) ⸻