Proprioceptive Activities for Self-Regulation
Proprioceptive activities—working muscles and joints—can help with self-regulation. Strategies such as having a mini movement break before and after school or engaging in activities like jumping, wall pushes, tug of war, or lava islands can also be beneficial.
Another fun and effective alternative is having a kitchen disco after school each day. Joining in with your child or encouraging siblings to take part can help them get the most out of these strategies!
Dream the Change has been working with Spectrum Tailored Technologies founder, Rachael Malthouse, who has created the award-winning JamUp!
JamUp! was a finalist in the Essex Care Tech Challenge.
Back-to-school time can be particularly challenging for families with children on the autism spectrum. Rachael’s son finds the change in routine especially difficult, with one of the biggest hurdles being getting dressed.
Gemma explained that getting dressed for school can heighten anxiety about school attendance. She found that having a pillow fight while her son was dressing helped him feel calmer, as it provided deep pressure—a technique she discusses in her video Sensory Bites Episode 1.
Breathing Games to Reduce Anxiety
Breathing games are another effective way to help children reduce anxiety. These can include blowing bubbles, using techniques like lazy 8 breathing (as seen in Zones of Regulation), or playing blow football using a straw, a ping pong ball, and a mini homemade goal.
