Applying Sensory

Processing Techniques to
Positively Impact Behavior

Part 2: Techniques to Address

Sensory Processing
Difficulties

Amanda Martinage OTR/L, M.Ed

amandamartinage@yahoo.com
 Objectives
Present techniques to address sensory
processing difficulties with practical activity
suggestions provided
Discuss how to promote independence
Review research related to sensory
processing and based strategies
Discuss other points of interest
Techniques to Address Sensory
Processing Difficulties

Sensory Diets (addresses the deficits)

Adapt the environment (compensates for
deficits)
Structure routines (provides predictability)
 Creating Sensory Diets
Sensory Diets – “based on the principle
that individuals require a certain quality
and quantity of sensory experiences to be
skillful, adaptive, and organized in their
daily lives.”
 Goals of Sensory Diets
Promote optimum level of arousal, self
regulation and behavioral organization
Help child maintain an optimal level of
arousal
Promote adaptive and skillful behavior
To reduce sensory dysfunction
 Planning a Sensory Diet
Sensory activities have different meaning for
different people
Activities should be incorporated into daily life
Careful planning is critical
Plan in collaboration with the child, family and
caretakers
Activities based on child’s preferences
Be multisensory
Be age and/or developmentally appropriate
 Principles and Approaches
Use a variety of activities – powerful, long
lasting, state changers and mood makers;
calming and organizing
Timing is everything – activities must be
repeated throughout the day to help
maintain optimal level of organization
 Application of Sensory Diets
Interview adults involved in the
environment where the sensory diet will be
utilized
List out activity suggestions for the
caregivers to utilize as sensory diet
strategies
Schedule activity at least every two hours
during the day
Application of Sensory Diet Cont.

Provide sensory based activity prior to an

activity requiring increased focused
attention
Use naturally occurring activities
Encourage independence
Sensory Diet Activities Specific
to the Home Environment
Help with chores: carry, push, drag laundry
basket
Fun indoor sensory based activities:
wrestling, making forts with cushions, tickle
fights, pillow fights
Outdoor activities: outdoor play equipment
such as swings, climbing structures, money
bars
Infant massage
Sensory Diet Activities Specific
to the School Environment
Morning walk or exercises
Sensory input during transition times
Chores that need to be completed, errands that
need to be run
The use of weighted equipment or compression
vests throughout the day
Seated movement activities (Move n’ Sit, sitting
on a therapy ball, supportive seating)
Give children choices between activities
 Examples
Sensory stations
Sensory diet write up
– Data collection!!!
Yoga cube
 Adaptations and Changes in
Routines
Accommodate
Anticipate difficulties and provide
accommodations before behavior
escalates
 Adaptations and Changes in
Routines continued
Discuss upcoming changes in the
schedule in a time frame that is beneficial
to the child
Provide rewards that are not linked directly
to sensory preferences, i.e. Don ’t take
away outside time.
Adaptations to the Environment
Create safe play areas
Provide safe sensory controlled
environment or “hide-outs”
Create a sensory room, sensory cart
For ideas go to OT-Innovations.com
Minimize visual and auditory distraction
during activities that require attention and
focus
 Structure Routines
Try to keep routines and possessions
organized
Be consistent with rules and
consequences
Keep an activity schedule posted
Create routines for difficult times of the
day
Found at: http://www.iloveaba.com/2012/12/how-to-write-social-story.html
 Education is empowering!

Educate child
Educate parents, families and caregivers
Educate the team working with the child
 Promote Independence
Teach appropriate language and label
behavior/arousal levels
Use self rating tools
Use activity checklists or questionnaires-
increase awareness of self
Teach self advocacy
Research to Support the Use of
Sensory Processing Strategies?

Literature reviews
Small population sizes
Difficult to empirically measure change
Recent research dedicated to supporting
the disorder
 Scholarly Articles
Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation
http://spdfoundation.net/library.html
Sensory Break!!!
 Other Points of Interest

Differences between ADD and SPD

Addressing self stimulatory behaviors
The more sensory the better?
Is it sensory or challenging behavior?
 Found at: http://
sensorysolutionsinc.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-it-behavior-or-is-it-sensory.html?spref=pi
 How to Integrate Sensory
Processing Strategies into an
Individual Education Plan?
Accommodation Section
Methodology Section
Write objectives with a functional
measureable outcome
“Gradually, our child has
blossomed and we
have learned to do
something with him
which I never thought
would be possible.
We learned to enjoy
him. He is our
favorite companion.”