The Best OT Tools and Toys for Kids with Sensory Needs

Introduction

Is your child constantly seeking movement, avoiding certain textures, or becoming overwhelmed in noisy environments? You're not alone. Sensory processing challenges affect millions of children, and finding the right occupational therapy (OT) tools can make a tremendous difference in their daily functioning and happiness.

Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges

Sensory processing refers to how our nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory information from our environment. For many children—particularly those with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, or sensory processing disorder—this system may work differently.

Some children may be hypersensitive (over-responsive) to sensory input:

• Covering ears at normal sounds

• Avoiding certain clothing textures

• Becoming overwhelmed in busy environments

• Refusing certain food textures

• Responding negatively to light touch

Others may be hyposensitive (under-responsive):

• Seeking intense movement

• Craving deep pressure

• Not noticing strong odors or tastes

• Having high pain thresholds

• Seeking loud noises or bright visual input

 

Understanding your child's unique sensory profile is the first step in selecting appropriate tools and toys.

Proprioceptive Input Tools: Deep Pressure and Heavy Work

Children who seek deep pressure or heavy work activities benefit tremendously from proprioceptive input tools that provide feedback to muscles and joints.

 

Weighted Products

Weighted products apply gentle, distributed pressure across the body, promoting calm and regulation:

• Weighted blankets (typically 10% of body weight plus 1-2 pounds)

• Weighted vests or compression garments

• Weighted stuffed animals

• Weighted lap pads for seated activities

 

These products work by activating the deep pressure touch receptors, which can decrease anxiety and increase focus.

 

Resistance Tools

Resistance tools provide opportunities for "heavy work" that engages muscles:

• Therapy putty in various resistance levels

• Resistance bands

• Chewy tubes or pendants

• Body socks that provide gentle resistance during movement

 

Research indicates that proprioceptive input often has an organizing effect on the nervous system, helping children transition between activities and regulate their arousal levels.

 

Vestibular Input Tools: Movement and Balance

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, controls our sense of movement and balance. Many children with sensory needs benefit from targeted vestibular input.

 

Movement Tools

These tools provide controlled movement experiences:

• Therapy swings (platform, bolster, net, or cocoon styles)

• Balance boards and wobble cushions

• Therapy balls in various sizes

• Rocking chairs or rocking horses

• Spinning boards or sit-and-spins

 

Balance and Coordination Tools

These help develop the vestibular system through controlled challenges:

• Stepping stones or balance beams

• Scooter boards

• Trampolines (mini or full-size with safety enclosures)

• Obstacle course equipment

• Balance discs

 

A 15-minute session of appropriate vestibular input can have regulatory effects lasting several hours, making these tools particularly valuable for home and classroom use.

Tactile Input Tools: Touch and Texture

The tactile system processes touch sensations. Children may seek specific textures or avoid others based on their sensory preferences.

 

Tactile Exploration Tools

These provide varied sensory experiences through touch:

• Sensory bins filled with beans, rice, water beads, etc.

• Textured fidget toys (bumpy, smooth, squishy, firm)

• Tactile paths with various textures

• Vibrating toys or massagers

• Sand or water tables

 

Tactile Defensive Supports

For children who are tactile defensive (overly sensitive to touch):

• Soft-bristled brushes for the Wilbarger Protocol (under OT supervision)

• Deep pressure massage tools

• Sensory-friendly clothing (tagless, seamless, specific fabrics)

• Gradual exposure kits with progressively challenging textures

 

When introducing new tactile experiences, follow your child's lead and respect their boundaries while gently expanding their comfort zone.

 

Visual Input Tools: Sight and Focus

Visual sensory tools can either calm an overstimulated visual system or provide needed stimulation for visual seekers.

 

Calming Visual Tools

For children who become visually overwhelmed:

• Light filters for fluorescent lights

• Sunglasses or peaked caps for outdoor use

• Visual privacy boards for desks

• Reduced visual clutter in the environment

• Solid-colored, simple décor in calming colors

 

Visual Stimulation Tools

For children who seek visual input:

• Light-up toys with various patterns

• Liquid motion toys

• Lava lamps or bubble tubes

• Visual timers

• Kaleidoscopes and other visual exploration toys

 

Research supports the connection between visual environments and behavior, particularly for children with autism and ADHD.

 

Auditory Input Tools: Sound and Listening

Auditory processing challenges are common among children with sensory needs, requiring tools that either reduce overwhelming input or provide organizing auditory feedback.

 

Noise Reduction Tools

For children sensitive to sound:

• Noise-canceling headphones

• Earplugs or noise-filtering earplugs

• White noise machines

• Carpeting and soft furnishings to reduce echo

• Sound absorption panels for walls

 

Auditory Input Tools

For children who benefit from auditory stimulation:

• Musical instruments

• Sound-producing fidgets

• Recorded nature sounds

• Rhythm games and tools

• Voice-recording devices

 

A recent study found that 60% of children with autism spectrum disorder demonstrated improved attention and reduced problem behaviors when provided appropriate auditory accommodations.

 

Oral Motor and Chewing Tools

Many children with sensory needs seek oral input through chewing, sucking, or biting. Appropriate tools can meet these needs safely.

 

Chewable Tools

Safe items designed for oral sensory input:

• Chewable jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, pencil toppers)

• Chew tubes of varying resistances

• Textured oral-motor tools

• Specialized water bottles with chewable tops

• Vibrating oral tools (under supervision)

 

Oral-Motor Development Tools

Tools that support oral-motor skills and provide sensory input:

• Whistles and blowing toys

• Bubble tools of varying resistance

• Straws of different diameters

• Foods with various textures as part of a sensory diet

• Chewy snacks that provide resistance

 

Providing appropriate oral sensory tools often decreases inappropriate chewing on clothing, pencils, or other non-food items.

 

Multi-Sensory Integration Tools

Some of the most effective sensory tools engage multiple sensory systems simultaneously.

 

Sensory Room Equipment

Creating a designated sensory space:

• Combination of lighting effects, tactile walls, and movement options

• Crash pads paired with climbing tools

• Ball pits with various texture balls

• Multi-sensory boards combining visual, tactile, and auditory elements

• Projectors with bubble tubes for visual-vestibular input

 

Sensory Integration Activities

Activities that combine sensory systems:

• Obstacle courses incorporating tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular input

• Messy play with scented materials (combining tactile and olfactory)

• Musical movement games (combining auditory and vestibular)

• Weighted art tools (combining visual-motor and proprioceptive)

• Sensory bins with hidden objects to find (tactile and visual)

 

Research indicates that multi-sensory integration approaches yield stronger developmental outcomes than single-sensory interventions.

 

Sensory Tools for the Classroom and Learning

Sensory needs significantly impact learning. These tools support academic success while addressing sensory requirements.

 

Focus and Attention Tools

Supporting sustained attention through sensory input:

• Wiggle cushions or wobble seats

• Desk bands for feet or chair legs

• Pencil grips and weighted pencils

• Tactile learning materials

• Visual schedules and timers

 

Self-Regulation Tools for Learning

Helping children monitor and regulate their sensory state:

• Sensory break cards

• Calm-down kits with multiple sensory options

• Emotion thermometers with sensory strategy connections

• Noise-level monitors

• Personal space markers

 

A 2021 classroom study found that students with access to appropriate sensory tools showed a 40% increase in on-task behavior compared to control groups.

 

DIY Sensory Tools: Budget-Friendly Options

Many effective sensory tools can be created at home for a fraction of the cost of commercial products.

 

Homemade Weighted Items

Creating weighted tools at home:

• Rice-filled socks for lap pads

• Bean-filled stuffed animals

• DIY weighted blankets using poly pellets

• Weighted vests from fishing vests and weights

• Homemade pressure vests using compression shirts and added panels

 

DIY Tactile and Sensory Bins

Creating sensory exploration opportunities:

• Rice, beans, or pasta with food coloring

• Water beads or water gel

• Moon sand (8 cups flour + 1 cup baby oil)

• Scented play dough recipes

• Sensory bags (hair gel with food coloring in sealed bags)

 

These DIY alternatives can be particularly valuable for trying different sensory approaches before investing in more expensive commercial products.

 

How to Choose the Right Sensory Tools for Your Child

With so many options available, selecting appropriate tools requires understanding your child's unique profile.

 

Consult with Professionals

Work with qualified experts:

• Schedule an occupational therapy evaluation

• Discuss sensory profiles with special education teachers

• Consult with developmental pediatricians

• Join parent support groups for recommendations

• Consider sensory integration therapy sessions

 

Observe and Document

Become a sensory detective:

• Track when challenging behaviors occur

• Note which sensory experiences your child seeks or avoids

• Observe calming techniques that work naturally

• Document successful sensory strategies

• Consider using a sensory profile questionnaire

 

By carefully matching tools to your child's specific needs, you'll achieve the best outcomes and avoid wasting resources on inappropriate equipment.

 

Creating Effective Sensory Diets Using OT Tools

A sensory diet is a carefully planned schedule of sensory activities that helps keep a child's nervous system regulated throughout the day.

 

Morning Routines

Start the day with regulation:

• Deep pressure from a weighted blanket before rising

• Vestibular input through gentle swinging

• Heavy work activities like carrying breakfast items

• Tactile input through textured washcloths during hygiene routines

• Proprioceptive input through joint compressions (as directed by an OT)

 

School and Activity Transitions

Supporting challenging transitions:

• Using fidgets during car rides

• Deep breathing with visual supports before entering new environments

• Quick proprioceptive activities like wall pushes before sitting

• Chewable jewelry during waiting periods

• Noise-canceling headphones in overwhelming environments

 

Consistent implementation of sensory diets often leads to improved behavior, attention, and emotional regulation over time.

 

Case Studies: Success Stories with OT Sensory Tools

Real-world examples demonstrate the transformative potential of appropriate sensory intervention.

 

Case Study 1: Alex

Seven-year-old Alex struggled with constant movement and inability to sit during class:

• Implemented: Wobble cushion, desk resistance band, weighted lap pad

• Result: 65% increase in seat time, completed assignments rose from 30% to 80%

 

Case Study 2: Maya

Four-year-old Maya experienced extreme tactile defensiveness, refusing to touch many materials:

• Implemented: Gradual tactile exposure program, deep pressure before sensory activities

• Result: Expanded food repertoire from 6 to 15 items, willingly participated in art activities

 

These and many other cases highlight how targeted sensory tools can dramatically improve quality of life and developmental outcomes.

 

Conclusion

Finding the right sensory tools for your child may take time and experimentation, but the benefits are well worth the effort. By understanding your child's unique sensory profile and selecting appropriate tools, you can help them regulate their nervous system, engage more fully in daily activities, and experience greater comfort in their environment.

Remember that sensory needs often change over time, so continue observing your child and adjusting their sensory diet accordingly. With the right support, children with sensory processing challenges can thrive at home, at school, and in the community.