Sensory strategies
Understanding Sensory strategies
Sensory processing and integration therapy helps children who have difficulty receiving, organizing, and responding to sensory information from their environment. Some children are overly sensitive to sounds, textures, lights, or movement, while others seek out intense sensory input or seem unaware of pain and temperature. These sensory processing differences can significantly affect a child's behavior, attention, emotional regulation, and ability to participate in everyday activities.
Pediatric occupational therapists trained in sensory integration use a structured yet child-directed approach that provides carefully graded sensory experiences to help the nervous system organize input more effectively. Therapy takes place in a sensory-rich environment with swings, climbing structures, textured materials, and weighted equipment, and is designed to look and feel like play while delivering targeted therapeutic input that rewires how the child's brain processes sensation.
What Sensory Integration Therapy Involves
Your child's occupational therapist conducts a thorough sensory profile assessment to identify which sensory systems are over-responsive, under-responsive, or seeking input. Therapy sessions are individualized and may include swinging, spinning, deep pressure activities, tactile exploration, and movement challenges designed to challenge and organize your child's sensory processing. The therapist monitors your child's arousal state throughout the session and adjusts activities to maintain an optimal level of engagement.
Creating a Sensory-Supportive Home Environment
Work with your child's therapist to develop a sensory diet — a personalized schedule of sensory activities integrated into daily routines to help your child stay regulated. This may include heavy work activities like carrying groceries, proprioceptive input from jumping on a trampoline, or calming strategies like weighted blankets and noise-canceling headphones. Observe which sensory experiences help your child focus and which cause distress, and share these observations with the therapy team.
When to Contact Your Care Team
Contact your child's occupational therapist if sensory-related behaviors are worsening — such as increased meltdowns in response to everyday stimuli, avoidance of previously tolerated activities, or new self-injurious behaviors. Report if your child's sensory challenges are significantly affecting school performance, sleep, or social participation. Call 911 if your child engages in self-harm severe enough to cause injury, has a behavioral crisis that poses a danger to themselves or others, or experiences a medical emergency during a sensory-related event such as a head injury from a fall.
This educational resource is provided by CarePine Home Health for informational purposes. Always follow the individualized care plan developed by your healthcare team. If you have questions or concerns about your condition, contact your care team or call CarePine at 888.507.2997.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or home health care team for personalized medical guidance.