Ways to Help Children that Are Under Responsive to Proprioceptive Input

Do you suspect that your child is under responsive to proprioceptive input? You can read about the signs and symptoms in my article Signs and Symptoms of Proprioceptive Input Dsyfunction. Even if your child does not have a proprioceptive disorder they can benefit from heavy work and heavy play.

What is heavy work or heavy play?

Heavy work, also referred to as heavy play, is a way to give your child the sensory input that they are seeking and need. When children are participating in heavy work they are focusing their attention as well as calming and organizing their nervous system. The level and amount of heavy play you do with your child need should be guided by a professional Occupational Therapist.

I have found that if I have my son do some heavy work or heavy play before preschool he is a better listener and does not seem so lethargic at the end of the day.

Examples of heavy play and heavy work

Most people do not let their children jump on the furniture. When my son was sensory seeking he was jumping on the couches, climbing between them, doing flips, and checking to see how far he could jump off. My job as his mother was to give him a safe way to get that sensory input. I decided that the old couch in the basement could be used for heavy play.

I put the overstuffed pillows on the floor and allow my son to run and bounce onto the couch. He knows that this is the only couch that he is allowed to jump on. As he gets older I will need to find him other safe ways to bounce such as a trampoline.

When we go grocery shopping my son is the one who carries the milk and puts it away at home. This is a very simple way to give your child sensory input in addition to teaching them to be helpful. He carries a variety of things that are heavy. If the object is too heavy to carry he will just try and lift it.

My son lies on the floor and uses his feet to push my hands as hard as he can. While he is standing I hold his hands and he pulls himself up. I am always surprised at his strength and endurance when doing these types of exercises.

A heavy play game that is very fun for my son is, 'Get out of the bucket.' I scoop him up and lock my hands. His job is to try and get out of the bucket by stretching and pushing against my arms.

My husband and I squish him with hugs. He loves this type of input. I think it is a combination between the loving touch of his parents and the pressure sensation.

My son has a chewy tube that he is allowed to chew on anytime. You can find these at http://www.chewytubes.com.

You can find more examples of heavy play at http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/heavy-work-activities.html.

Sources:

Sensory Fun: Heavy Work Activities
The Sensory Processing Disorder Resource Center