Benefits of Sensory Play for Children with Autism
Marge JimenezShare
Sensory play can be a powerful tool for supporting children with autism. By engaging their senses, sensory activities provide a safe and enjoyable way for children to explore, learn, and regulate their emotions. These activities can help improve communication, social skills, and overall development while being a calming experience.
What is Sensory Play?
Sensory play involves activities that stimulate one or more of the five senses: touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. It can also include movement and balance, focusing on the child’s proprioceptive (body awareness) and vestibular (spatial orientation) systems. Common sensory play activities include sensory bins, water play, textured materials, and light or sound-based games.
Why Sensory Play is Important for Children with Autism
Children with autism often process sensory information differently, making sensory play an effective way to support their needs. Here are some key benefits:
1. Helps with Sensory Processing
Many children with autism experience sensory processing challenges, either being over- or under-sensitive to sensory input. Sensory play allows them to explore different sensations in a controlled, non-threatening environment, helping them become more comfortable with sensory stimuli.
Example: Playing with soft, textured objects or sand can help desensitize a child who struggles with tactile input.
2. Promotes Emotional Regulation
Sensory play can be soothing for children with autism, especially during moments of stress or overstimulation. It provides a calming outlet for emotions and helps them self-regulate.
Example: Squishing playdough or playing with water can have a grounding, relaxing effect.
3. Encourages Communication
Many sensory activities encourage children to express their thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Whether they are describing textures, colors, or sounds, sensory play can enhance verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Example: A child might describe the sound of rice falling in a sensory bin or point to a specific object they enjoy.
4. Builds Social Skills
Group sensory activities create opportunities for children with autism to interact with others in a low-pressure setting. They can practice sharing, taking turns, and collaborating while playing.
Example: Working together to build a sensory bin or explore an activity with a peer encourages social interaction.
5. Supports Motor Skill Development
Sensory play often involves activities that develop fine and gross motor skills. Scooping, pouring, pinching, and stacking objects in sensory bins strengthen muscles and improve coordination.
Example: Using tongs to pick up pom-poms or stacking blocks builds fine motor control.
6. Fosters Creativity and Exploration
Sensory play encourages children to experiment and discover. It allows them to use their imagination and explore the world in their unique way.
Example: Creating patterns with colored rice or molding shapes with clay enhances creativity.
7. Improves Focus and Attention
Sensory play helps children with autism concentrate on specific tasks and improve their attention span. It creates an engaging and structured activity that supports focus.
Example: Sorting objects by color or size in a sensory bin encourages sustained attention.
How to Incorporate Sensory Play at Home
Here are some simple sensory play ideas to try with your child:
- Sensory Bins: Fill a bin with rice, beans, water beads, or sand, and add small toys or scoops.
- Water Play: Let your child pour, scoop, or splash water with cups and sponges.
- Playdough or Slime: Use these materials to encourage squishing, molding, and tactile exploration.
- Light Play: Use string lights, flashlights, or colorful sensory bottles to engage their visual senses.
- Music and Sound Activities: Experiment with musical instruments or shakers.
Tips for Sensory Play with Children with Autism
- Follow Your Child’s Lead: Let them explore at their own pace without pushing them to engage in specific ways.
- Create a Safe Environment: Make sure the materials are safe and age-appropriate.
- Use Calming Activities: If your child is overstimulated, introduce calming activities like water play or soft textures.
- Be Patient: Sensory play can take time for some children to adjust to, so give them space to explore.
- Monitor Reactions: Observe your child’s behavior to see what they enjoy and what may overwhelm them.