Swing Therapy for Kids with SPD

My son has always been a sensory seeker, seeking input from anywhere...especially proprioceptive and vestibular input. Receiving an adequate diet chock full of proprioceptive and vestibular input will guarantee that my son's sensory system is well fed and this will allow his body to better organize and regulate his sensory system.

What is the vestibular system? It is a part of our sensory system that provides input about movement, balance, spatial awareness and positioning. It is located in our inner ear. When our vestibular system is in check, it supports our posture, maintains our balance, allows us to use our sense of sight properly, supports communication and aids in keeping us calm to able to regulate our behavior.

Each child is different. Some children like mine, crave movement, while others might be overly sensitive to movement. There is a careful balance with vestibular activities. For example, too much of a good thing can actually tip the scale in the wrong direction, leading the child to become more aggressive or hyperactive, thus defeating the efforts at self regulation. So, take the activities you embed in your sensory diet slowly...don't overdo it.

Swinging has an amazing impact on the brains ability to process and use sensory information. I recall back in the beginning of our journey when my son's language was at an 18 month lag. He would come home from school and I would ask if he had fun or who he played with and I could see that he was struggling to find the answers. I put him on the swing and he moved gently through the air. After about a minute or so of swinging, I re-asked the same questions and the answers flowed...he began naming every child in the class! It was a profound and exciting moment. It was completely clear to me that association between swinging and language was that his vestibular imput tank was on empty.

Gentle swinging with a touch of proprioceptive activities helps my son regulate and focus. I share a fantastic example of this in a post at OUR Journey THRU Autism.

Anyone can use swing therapy including therapists, parents and teachers to offer a sensory diet to sensory seeking kids. Not only do swings meet basic sensory needs, the fun aspect of swinging can be a great behavioral motivator for positive behavior. I have read in multiple resources that the act of swinging helps to regulate the child and lasts for about two hours. This varies based on the individual child. Therapists can place the child on a swing for about 5 minutes at the beginning of a therapy session to ensure focus on task. If a child is getting rammy and unfocused in the classroom, a teacher can use that as a cue to take a 10 minute sensory break in the playground. This will get all the kids moving and able to refocus back in the classroom. Parents can swing their child before homework or homeschool lesson to ensure attention to task.

Types of swings to consider include:

1) a traditional strap swing installed on a doorway mounted frame, ceiling supported eyebolts or a free standing swing frame. Some systems are modular and can be moved from room to room.

2) a net swing that allows for cuddling for proprioceptive input can be installed on a free standing frame or to the ceiling with ceiling mounted hardware.

3) a tire swing for rotating movement installed on a free standing frame or to the ceiling with ceiling mounted swivel hardware.

Doorway mounted swings offer incredible flexibility in that the installation of a bar does not impede the function of the door and is easily relocated to another doorway. Doorway mounts allow for variety, the spice of life to a sensory seeker. Some ideas that can be added to a doorway mount include:

platform swings

net swings

strap swings

trapeze bars

cuddle swings

bolster swings

high back swings

Always consider safety. Make sure that the swings can support the weight of the user. Be sure your set up allows the swing to be free of floors and walls. Gurantee that the child can stop on their own. And always ensure adult supervision.

Happy Sensational Swinging!