OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY NEWS

Setting up a successful sensory morning routine

You may have heard of something called a sensory diet, well it’s not something you eat. Yet, its sensory input staggered throughout the day. Our OT’s and teachers at school will also provide sensory input throughout the school day.

A morning routine can be tricky but some activities can help children transition to school. Proprioception (heavy work) input, is a great way of putting sensory input into your morning routine.

These activities include:

• 5- 10 minutes worth of trampoline jumping. 1kg ankle weights can also be a great addition to morning jumping.
• Wheel barrow walking to the bathroom.
• Wallstands.
• Animal walks to the kitchen table.
• Lycra tunnel crawling and body socks.
• Donkey kicks i.e. supine flexion.
• Using a vibrating toothbrush to brush your teeth.
• Drinking your morning drink through a straw. Lemon juice in water adds another sensory kick.
• Crunchy food items i.e. belvita breakfast biscuits, carrots, cereal etc.
• Therapressure brushing hands before sitting down to eat.
• Pulling out all the chairs from under the table and pushing them back in once breakfast is finished.
• Playing with theraband during the car ride or on the bus.
• Having 1L of water in their backpack when going to school (acts like a weighted vest).
• Helping pull the bins out and onto the street.

GOODBYE

A big Thank You! To all of you for letting me work with and be a part of your children’s therapeutic programs and journeys! I have enjoyed my time immensely and I am going to miss all their smiling faces during therapy sessions (and some anguish during food is fun). I wish you all the best with your NDIS journeys as I try to manouevre the NDIS as well. It’s been a blast the last 3 years!

Warmest

Hayley