Top 7 Sensory Integration Activities Used by Pediatric Therapists

Sensory challenges can impact a child’s ability to participate fully in daily life, especially for those with developmental differences. Pediatric therapists often use targeted sensory integration activities to help children improve coordination, attention, and self-regulation. These proven strategies support skill development in a fun, engaging way, making therapy sessions enjoyable and effective.

Whether a parent, educator, or therapist, anyone interested in helping children reach their potential can benefit from learning more about these techniques. For families seeking structured support, it’s helpful to check out sensory integration therapy for children, which explains benefits and different approaches.

This article is not a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek advice from your healthcare provider.

Key Takeaways

• Sensory integration lays the foundation for key life skills.
• Top activities are designed to support skill growth and engagement.
• Learn more about specific techniques and structured programs.

Foundations of Sensory Integration in Paediatric Therapy

Sensory integration in paediatric therapy focuses on how children interpret sensory input from their environment and form appropriate responses. Effective interventions can help manage sensory processing disorder (SPD), improve child development, and address sensory challenges linked to developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Understanding Sensory Processing and Integration

Sensory processing refers to how the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into behavioural or motor responses. When this system functions well, children can organize sensory input effectively, which supports daily functions such as play, learning, and social interaction. Sensory integration is the process of organizing and interpreting sensations—like sounds, textures, and movement—so that the child can respond appropriately.

Children with sensory processing disorder or sensory modulation disorder (SMD) may struggle to respond to sensory information. This can appear as over-responsiveness, under-responsiveness, or difficulty modulating their senses. Promoting improved sensory integration helps these children adapt and participate more fully in routine activities. Practitioners use play-based exercises to strengthen sensory processing and help children succeed in different environments.

Key Sensory Systems: Proprioception, Vestibular, and Tactile

Three sensory systems—proprioceptive, vestibular, and tactile—are especially important in sensory integration therapy. Proprioception involves body awareness and movement. Activities that provide resistance or deep pressure can help regulate proprioceptive input. Vestibular input refers to balance and movement. Swinging, spinning, and jumping are often used to stimulate the vestibular system and improve balance or coordination.

Tactile input involves touch, such as textures or temperature. Brushing therapy and playing with varied materials allow children to process tactile information more effectively. Difficulties with these systems are common in children with SPD, ASD, and other developmental disorders. Interventions are chosen based on a child’s unique needs and can be adapted over time to support ongoing child development. Sensory diets and targeted exercises are part of a comprehensive approach to improve everyday functioning.

The Role of Occupational Therapists in Sensory Interventions

Occupational therapists are leaders in assessing and treating sensory processing challenges. They evaluate which sensory systems are disrupted and develop tailored interventions. This process often starts with a detailed sensory profile, direct observation, and collaboration with families to ensure interventions address real-world needs.

Common occupational therapy approaches include structured sensory activities, adapting environments, and teaching self-regulation skills. Therapists use evidence-based techniques to help children with SPD, autism, and related disorders engage meaningfully in daily tasks. They monitor progress and adjust strategies to ensure therapy remains effective and relevant for each child’s sensory profile. 

Top 7 Sensory Integration Activities Used by Paediatric Therapists

Sensory integration activities target children’s unique sensory needs and promote healthy development. Strategies like heavy work, deep pressure, and movement-based activities can support daily functioning, communication skills, and emotional regulation.

Heavy Work Activities for Proprioceptive Input

Heavy work activities are a core part of many sensory diets for children. These activities involve pushing, pulling, carrying, or lifting objects that provide resistance. Examples include carrying groceries, moving classroom chairs, using resistance bands, and playing with scooter boards.

Paediatric therapists use heavy work because it gives strong proprioceptive input—feedback that tells the brain where the body is in space. This input helps improve body awareness, motor planning, and can help kids who are sensory seekers channel their need for movement. Mini trampolines or weighted balls are also used to achieve similar effects. Therapists may recommend heavy work activities throughout the day to help children manage sensory-seeking behaviour. These activities are practical for both home and school environments.

Deep Pressure Activities and Weighted Products

Deep pressure activities help regulate the nervous system by providing consistent tactile input. This can include using weighted blankets or vests, squeezing play doh, or giving firm hugs. Weighted products must be chosen appropriately to match the child’s size and sensory profile.

Many children with sensory processing challenges experience relief from deep pressure input, which can decrease anxiety or hyperactivity. Therapists might also integrate tasks like rolling a therapy ball over the child’s back or using compression clothing to increase calming sensory experiences. These strategies are especially beneficial for emotional development and focus. Deep pressure input is often part of a larger sensory integration therapy plan and is used alongside other tactile or proprioceptive activities.

Vestibular Activities for Balance and Spatial Orientation

Vestibular input—movement that stimulates the inner ear—is essential for developing balance, coordination, and body awareness. Paediatric therapists use swings, spinning chairs, rocking horses, and therapy balls to provide controlled vestibular stimulation.

Activities such as swinging back and forth, spinning in a safe seated position, or balancing on a wobble board help children develop a better sense of direction, timing, and movement control. These activities are carefully monitored, as some children may be over- or under-responsive to vestibular input. Done properly, vestibular work can improve attention, posture, and emotional regulation by helping children feel more grounded and centered.

Tactile Play for Sensory Exploration

Tactile activities involve stimulating the sense of touch through different textures and materials. Therapists often incorporate sensory bins filled with items like rice, sand, shaving foam, beans, or water beads to encourage exploratory touch.

Tactile play helps children tolerate different sensations, which is critical for grooming, dressing, and feeding. It can also support fine motor development when children manipulate small items like buttons or beads within textured media. For children who are tactile defensive, therapists may begin with dry, less messy textures and gradually increase sensory challenges over time to build tolerance and flexibility.

Oral Motor Activities to Support Regulation and Speech

Oral motor input—stimulating the mouth, jaw, and face—can be used to improve self-regulation, feeding, and speech clarity. Activities may include blowing bubbles, using straws of varying resistance, chewing on chewy tubes or silicone necklaces, or playing with whistles and harmonicas.

These exercises strengthen oral muscles and provide calming or alerting sensory input depending on the child’s needs. Therapists often pair oral motor play with breathing techniques to support self-soothing and focus. For children with sensory feeding issues or articulation delays, these activities can lay the foundation for improved oral awareness and motor control.

Auditory Integration Activities for Sound Processing

Auditory integration focuses on how children respond to and process sounds in their environment. Therapists may use sound-based therapies like Therapeutic Listening®, structured music sessions, or noise desensitization programs.

Activities can include identifying different sounds, matching sounds to objects, or participating in rhythmic drumming or clapping games. These practices help children with sound sensitivity or auditory filtering difficulties adjust to everyday environments like classrooms or playgrounds. Gradually increasing exposure to tolerable levels of sound can improve focus, emotional regulation, and social participation.

Conclusion

Pediatric therapists use a range of sensory integration activities tailored to each child's unique needs. Strategies like swinging, deep pressure activities, and sensory bins help children improve their ability to process different types of sensory input.

Incorporating activities such as brushing protocols or exploring texture-rich play dough can also support progress at home. Techniques are adaptable and can be part of daily routines for ongoing benefits.