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Natalie Bull

Dr. Graeme Harper

HC 1000

October 5, 2020

Sensory Life Skills

All children learn differently in school. It could be the difference between an auditory,

visual, or kinetic learner; but that might not be the only thing. Undiagnosed learning barriers

such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), or Asperger

syndrome (AS) could put a significant block on a child’s ability to learn. Sensory disorders are in

every school even if it’s not detected, “SPD is prevalent in our schools today. A child diagnosed

with attention-deficit disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or any form of an autism-

spectrum disorder may also have sensory dysfunction” (Moyes). After volunteering in a special

education preschool classroom, I watched how teachers struggled to teach life skills to these

children. One of the most crucial life skills for these students to learn is how to properly wash

their hands. Most of these students are prone to putting their hands in their mouths after touching

dirty surfaces which can lead to unwanted illness. Many of them have underlying medical

conditions that recommend them to stay as healthy as possible. An inability to speak on their

discomfort and sickness could prevent them from receiving the proper help they need. In order to

create an engaging habit of handwashing, I am creating a sensory soap stress ball that will

effectively clean the child’s hands, while keeping them in the sink for the recommended amount

of time. This relates to the academic discipline of Education. Sensory items in the classroom

setting help these students stay engaged in what they are learning and keep stress levels down,

“People with ASD have been found to engage in stereotypic sensory-seeking behaviors more
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frequently when they are stressed or presented with aversive stimuli or under stimulated”

(Ashburner). One sensory toy that all children enjoy is stress balls; by changing the ingredients

inside and creating micro holes for soap to dispense, any teacher can buy and incorporate the

soap stress ball into their classroom.

My time in the education field grew my interest and passion after working one on one

with special education students. One student I grew close to, loved to blow spit bubbles all over

his face and onto his hands. He would then touch toys, furniture, and other students with his wet

hands. Keeping hands clean and germs away was a difficult task for him. By creating a stress

ball, I know students like him would enjoy hand washing. Children with Asperger’s syndrome

are known to have issues with this simple task, “Some children with AS cannot stand the feel of

the bubble soap on their hands,” (Myles). The hope is that the stress ball is distraction enough to

keep the child’s attention from the dispensing soap. The required steps of hand washing need to

be considered when teaching a child this life lesson. The CDC recommends at least 20 seconds

of hand washing in order for it to be effective (When). Most of these children can’t stand to be

under running water and soap for more than 10 seconds. Their attention span is much shorter

than average kids their age. Engagement is extremely important, and cooperative is a must.

Parents and teachers find themselves washing kids’ hands for them to ensure they’re clean. Hand

washing should become second nature for children and a skill they can achieve on their own. By

creating this stress ball, I am also creating a new routine in every child’s life. Washing hands

before every meal, after every bathroom break, etc. becomes a fun and familiar part of everyday

life.
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The creation of the sensory soap is important in order to form the habit of hand washing,

and to ease children into situations they’re not comfortable in. The design is inspired by a stress

ball, but the outside contains half an inch of silicone while the inside remains fully hollow for

soap to be inserted into. For the soap to exit the ball, it must be squeezed until soap leaks from

the micro holes drilled all around the ball. Depending on how small the holes are, the more

pressure it will take for soap to come out, and how long stress ball lasts. Once the soap inside

runs out, another ball can be purchased, or the teacher can use a provided syringe to refill their

own soap into the ball. For a child who might put their hand in their mouth and possibly ingest

the soap, an edible, non-toxic soap is recommended. A concern with washing hands is the

roughness it takes to scrub hands, “bath water provides unpleasant sensations to some. A

washcloth can prove painful. Specific soaps seem abrasive” (Myles). The sensory ball will be

made of squishy, skin-safe, high quality silicone that is smooth to the touch. The company,

Happy Worker, will make custom design stress balls for $2.50/ea for 3,000 stress balls. The

company estimates up to 24 weeks to complete the toy to provide time for prototyping stages. An

additional $2,000 may be needed for molds depending on the toys’ complexity (Custom). The

stress ball comes in two different packages, it can be bought with the refilled syringe included,

which costs slightly more. This comes with soap in a bag separate from the deflated ball so the

teacher or parent can syringe into the stress ball themselves. The cheaper option doesn’t come

with a syringe but contains a prefilled soap ball. The ball is factory sealed to ensure the soap

remains inside. How long the soap ball lasts is dependent on how often it is used and how long

pressure is applied to it. The projected life span is a month assuming the holes are small enough

that soap remains inside. Until it is properly tested the true lifespan is unknown.
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In result of my new project, I believe students and young children with sensory issues or

other learning issues will benefit from this new sensory way of learning. I believe other life skills

that everyone must learn should have alternatives similar to the sensory ball for children who

struggle learning and staying engaged. Sensory toys to help gain independence like tying shoes,

showering, cleaning, etc. habits like these must be made at a young age to ensure they are able to

take care of themselves for life. The sensory ball helps children have the knowledge and skills to

prevent illness, which could mean the difference in catching a life-threatening illness. I believe

future homes and classrooms can easily incorporate an item such as the sensory ball into a daily

routine. All it takes it one product to promote learning and lifelong habits in a child’s life.
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Works Cited

Ashburner, Jill, et al. "Sensory Processing and Classroom Emotional, Behavioral, and

Educational Outcomes in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder." American Journal

of Occupational Therapy, vol. 62, no. 564, 1 Sept. 2008,

doi:https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.62.5.564, www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-

handwashing.html#:~:text=%2D%20Wet%20your%20hands%20with,or%20air%20dry

%20them.

"Custom Stress Toys & Stress Balls." Happy Worker, edited by Heidi Peckover, Happy Worker

Inc., 2020, www.happyworker.com/toy-manufacturing/custom-stress-balls.

Moyes, Rebecca A. Building Sensory Friendly Classrooms to Support Children with

Challenging Behaviors: Using Data and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Teach

Replacement Skills. Sensory World, 2010.

Myles, Brenda S., et al. Asperger Syndrome And Sensory Issues. AAPC PUBLISHING, 2000.

"When and How to Wash Your Hands." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 1

Sept. 2020, www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html#:~:text=%2D

%20Wet%20your%20hands%20with,or%20air%20dry%20them