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Unlocking Potential: Unique Common Sense Strategies for Children With Sensory or Motor Challenges

Kelly Blair

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Published in No Longer A SECRET: Unique Common Sense Strategies For Children With Sensory Or Motor Challenges

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Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their abilities or challenges. Children with sensory or motor challenges often face unique obstacles in their development, but with the right support and strategies, they can thrive.

No Longer A SECRET: Unique Common Sense Strategies for Children with Sensory or Motor Challenges

by Martha Raile Alligood

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Sensory processing disorder (SPD) and motor skills difficulties can affect a child's ability to interact with their environment, engage in daily activities, and participate in social situations. However, there are a wide range of common sense strategies that can help to improve sensory processing, enhance motor skills, and promote overall development.

Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition that affects the way the brain processes sensory information. Children with SPD may have difficulty regulating their responses to sensory stimuli, such as touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste.

There are two main types of SPD:

Sensory over-responsivity: Children with sensory over-responsivity are hypersensitive to sensory stimuli. They may react strongly to loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures.
Sensory under-responsivity: Children with sensory under-responsivity are hyposensitive to sensory stimuli. They may not notice or react to sounds, touch, or other environmental cues.

Common Sense Strategies for Sensory Processing Disorder

There are a number of common sense strategies that can help children with SPD to better regulate their sensory responses and improve their overall functioning.

Create a sensory-friendly environment: This may include using dim lighting, calming music, and providing soft and comfortable furniture.
Use sensory tools: Fidget toys, weighted blankets, and calming bottles can provide sensory input and help children to self-regulate.
Establish a sensory diet: A sensory diet is a plan that provides children with regular sensory experiences to help them to develop their sensory processing skills.
Engage in sensory play: Sensory play activities, such as playing with playdough, sand, or water, can help children to explore different textures and sensations.
Encourage gross motor activities: Gross motor activities, such as running, jumping, and playing outside, can help children to develop their balance, coordination, and body awareness.

Understanding Motor Skills Difficulties

Motor skills difficulties can affect a child's ability to move and control their body. These difficulties can range from mild to severe and may impact a child's ability to perform everyday activities, such as walking, running, and writing.

There are different types of motor skills difficulties, including:

Gross motor skills: Gross motor skills involve large muscle movements, such as walking, running, and jumping.
Fine motor skills: Fine motor skills involve small muscle movements, such as writing, drawing, and manipulating objects.
Hand-eye coordination: Hand-eye coordination is the ability to control the movement of the eyes and hands together.

Common Sense Strategies for Motor Skills Difficulties

There are a number of common sense strategies that can help children with motor skills difficulties to improve their movement and coordination.

Encourage active play: Active play, such as playing outdoors, riding a bike, or dancing, can help children to develop their gross motor skills.
Practice fine motor activities: Fine motor activities, such as playing with puzzles, coloring, and cutting with scissors, can help children to develop their fine motor skills.
Develop hand-eye coordination: Activities that involve hand-eye coordination, such as playing catch, throwing a ball, and playing video games, can help children to develop their hand-eye coordination.
Use adaptive equipment: Adaptive equipment, such as weighted vests, balance boards, and writing guides, can help children with motor skills difficulties to improve their movement and coordination.
Seek professional support: If a child has significant motor skills difficulties, it is important to seek professional support from an occupational therapist or physical therapist.

Children with sensory or motor challenges deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential. By using common sense strategies, parents and educators can help these children to improve their sensory processing, enhance their motor skills, and participate fully in all aspects of life.

Remember, every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. It is important to be patient, observe your child's individual needs, and work with them to find the strategies that work best for them.

With the right support and strategies, children with sensory or motor challenges can overcome their obstacles and thrive.

No Longer A SECRET: Unique Common Sense Strategies for Children with Sensory or Motor Challenges

by Martha Raile Alligood

4.7 out of 5