Ohana OT Pediatric Therapy in Wenatchee

Sensory Processing Disorder Solutions for Your Child

‘Ohana Occupational Therapy

1139 N. Princeton Suite B, Wenatchee, WA 98801
P: 509.888.7435 | F: 509.888.7674

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You are here: Home / Archives for Sensory Processing

What is stimming and should I let my child do it?

March 16, 2023 By Mary Kostka Leave a Comment

What is Stimming:
Stimming is short for “self-stimulating behavior”. This behavior looks like repetitive movements, words, or sounds. These movements, words, or sounds might serve a couple different purposes:

  1. A way to manage various big emotions (excitement, boredom, fear, stress, happiness, etc.)
    • Big emotions can be difficult for anyone to manage, especially if the sensory system is extra sensitive (or when emotions are hard to comprehend or understand).
    • Stimming is a way to help calm the system in the middle of heightened emotional states.
  2. As a way to distract themselves, or help calm their body when they are overstimulated
    • Stimming is a subconscious way for the nervous system to organize the input it is receiving from the environment.
    • If your child is sensitive to certain input, stimming can help to organize their system, counteract, or distract them from the offending input.
  3. As a way to “wake up” their nervous system when they are under-stimulated
    • When a child’s nervous system does not register input adequately or effectively, they may struggle to have a complete picture of their environment.
    • Stimming can help them to “wake up” their system to make it work more effectively.
    • Stimming can also help increase input to a level that they are able to more easily register it, helping to complete the picture of their environment.
  4. Because it feels good and they enjoy it
    • We all have certain things that simply feel good to us, sometimes a stim is just that.
    • Sometimes children have a hard time coming up with play ideas, or figuring out how to complete play movements; stimming is a less complex way to engage in play.

Is it okay to let my kid stim?
Because stimming serves so many useful purposes and is a very essential part of functioning for those with unique sensory needs, we encourage you to let your child stim. This is their own unique way that they have learned to care for their sensory system and regulate their emotions.

However, if the stimming is hurting themselves or others, or if it is preventing functional activity, replacement behaviors can be developed and taught. You can work with your OT at ‘Ohana to identify and implement the best replacement behaviors for your child. 

A note about social expectation:
Sometimes stimming is harmless and effective, but it makes others (such as extended family members or that stranger in the grocery store) uncomfortable. These situations can be the perfect opportunity to teach someone about stimming and the unique needs of your child’s sensory system. If your child is old enough, you can coach them on explaining their stimming needs to others.


Quick tips and strategies to help shape stimming:

  1. Set up a specific stimming corner or area in your home, child’s room, or their classroom if the stim is disruptive to those around your child (e.g. loud noise).
  2. Talk about stimming with your child, help them identify why and when they need to stim.
  3. Try setting aside specific stim time in your child’s day (e.g. for 8 minutes before meals, 10 minutes to stim before going to bed, etc.). This can be especially useful for showing your child that you want to support their needs, but also need them to be able to focus on other things throughout the day. Keep in mind that if your child has a big emotion, they may need to stim more.
  4. Try setting a timer every time they start stimming. Let them know they can stim until the timer goes off and then it is time to refocus on functional tasks. This can be useful for those kids who stim for long periods of time.
  5. Try adding sensory enriching activities to your child’s day to supplement or enhance their stimming. Ideally, these activities would provide the same input as the child’s stim. Talk to your child’s OT about what type of activities to add.

Blog post compiled by ‘Ohana OT, Abigail Simmons (OTR/L)

Resources:
GriffinOT (2020). How do I stop my child from sensory stimming. Griffin occupational therapy. Retrieved from: https://www.griffinot.com/how-to-stop-child-sensory-stimming/
Miller, C. (2019). What you need to know about stimming. Kid’s creek. Retrieved from: https://www.kidscreektherapy.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-stimming/
What is stimming? (n.d.). Occupational therapy helping children. Retrieved from: https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/what-is-stimming/ 

Filed Under: Blogs, Featured, Learning, Self Care, Sensory Processing

How to Make a Weighted Pencil, Fork and Spoon for kids with Autism

November 1, 2014 By Mary Kostka 1 Comment

It is easy to make your own weighted pencils and utensils. Watch this ‘Ohana OT Tip of the Day video and see how!

 

Mary Kostka is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in Sensory Processing Disorder at  her  private practice, ‘Ohana Occupational Therapy, LLC,   in Wenatchee and Leavenworth Washington, USA

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Filed Under: Sensory Processing

10 Best Sports for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

October 12, 2014 By Mary Kostka 8 Comments

     I am often asked “What are the best sport activities for my child?”. When it comes to kids with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) they do best with activities that are rich with resistive muscle activity (think push /pull) and rich with movement in all directions (up/down/angular/rotary).  Activities that have firm predictable tactile pressure work well.  These are the three body senses that are the “magic ingredients” for success 1) Muscle and joint  position sense (proprioception), 2) Movement and balance sensation (vestibular) and 3) Tactile input to the skin.  These 3 major body senses help to calm and organize the nervous system which helps your child focus and engage well in the activity. Kids with SPD will succeed with activities that are not chaotic with  people and things moving in different directions (so soccer and basketball are not on the list).  They do best with activities that do not require a lot of idle standing and waiting time which takes baseball off the list.  From my 26 years of experience here are my top 10 sports and activities in no particular order:

#1 Swimming

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Swimming is great for so many reasons!  It provides sensory input in all 3 of the main areas movement in all directions (vestibular input), resistive muscle activity which provides improves body awareness (proprioception) and firm constant tactile pressure over the whole body.  It is a fun social activity and important for safety as well.  Be sure to take into consideration the noise level and unexpected splashing.  You can talk with the pool manager and find out the calmer times to come.  Often pools will have a special therapeutic swim time when the pool is warmer.

# 2 Martial Arts

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If your child is having problems with self control and aggression this may seem counter intuitive. However, martial arts teaches peace and self control while giving an outlet for physical stress and aggression in a safe and controlled way. I earned my black belt in Isshinryu Karate when I was 18.  All these years of teaching kids karate has helped me see first hand how much it builds self esteem in kids!  Martial Arts is an individual path that lets your child go at their own pace.  It is something that they will learn a tremendous amount of self control in. They will learn to control their bodies and mind.  Martial Arts schools tend to embrace your child and they become part of a big family that can last a lifetime if they wish.  From a sensory point of view it is fantastic!  Your child will get intense input to their muscles and joints with  punching, blocking and kicking exercises. There is a lot of movement in all directions and balance activities. Your child will learn how to roll with a fall and not get hurt.  When learning katas (a series of movements linked together) they will improve memory and sequencing.  Courtesy and respect are always emphasized.  Not all martial arts instructors are created equal. It is best to observe a few classes and get the vibe of the instructor and the students and make sure that they are all kind and respectful to each other.  Your child will do best with a  small class size.

 

#3 Wrestling

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Wrestling is great because it has intense resistive muscle activity and is 1 on 1. This makes it much easier for your child to focus on the activity.  In addition,  there is movement in all directions and firm tactile input making this sport a winner for all 3 major sensory inputs for increasing body awareness and calming the nervous system.

#4 Gymnastics

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Often parents have tried gymnastics intuitivley knowing it would be great , but then their child was not able to wait in line and listen to instructions.  A great option is open gym time.  Kids have the opportunity to explore equipment with supervision and they don’t have to stand and wait so much. Also consider private lessons or a smaller class size.  Gymnastics is great for providing excellent sensory input to the body.

 

#5 Football

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This one surprised me at first because I thought it would be too chaotic chasing after the ball until my friend who was a coach explained to me it all depends on the position. For example if you are a lineman you have one thing to focus on and that is the guy in front of you – block him!  Turns out football is a great sport for our kids with SPD!  Lots of intense input to the muscles and joints increasing (proprioception) , lots of movement in all directions and firm tactile input as well. All of this sensory input calms and organizes your child’s body helping them be successful. 

 

#6 Yoga

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In addition to providing the wonderful  sensory input, yoga emphasizes relaxation and being calm.  My friend Jeanette Runnings who is an OT  developed a wonderful yoga activity, “Yoga Yingo“,  that is easy to do with your child at home.  It is basically bingo with yoga poses that are kid friendly.  A lot of kids that I work with who seek intense movement do really well with inverted poses (e.g. a regular head stand or tripod head stand with knees on elbows). They are able to get intense joint compression and intense vestibular input by being upside down yet at the same time they are trying to be perfectly still and not fall over.

 

#7 Kayaking

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Kayaking is another wonderful activity for your child to participate in.  The gentle rocking on the water along with pulling the paddle against the water provides wonderful sensory input to the muscles and joint which is very calming. The life jacket provides a firm tactile pressure that is calming as well. Nature is a great source of peace and our kids with SPD need to have opportunities to be out in nature regularly. Check out your local places to rent kayaks. I was able to rent one for only $10/hr on beautiful Lake Chelan in WA this Summer and it sure beat having to haul it and carry it to the water.

 

#8 Hiking / Horseback Riding

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So many of our kids with SPD do great with hiking and horseback riding!  Again, being out in nature itself is wonderful for all the senses. Carrying a backpack adds firm tactile pressure and joint compression which tends to be calming for a lot of kids.  Climbing up hill increases the resistive muscle activity providing more position sense (proprioception). There are ample opportunities for movement and balance challenges along the way from jumping off rocks to balancing on a log. On the horse there is a lot of movement input for balance reactions and your child gets to see the world from a whole new perspective up high.  There are many therapeutic riding programs (also called hippo-therapy)  with skilled volunteers who will either ride with your child or walk along side in order to keep your child safe.

 

#9 Skiing

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Skiing is very rich with sensory input. Many kids with SPD thrive with skiing since they are getting such intense sensation of fast movement, balance and feedback to their muscles and joints as they shift weight to make turns. In fact many parents are puzzled  why their kids are such good skiers and when I evaluate them we still see deficits with body awareness, core strength and balance.  The reason is that when they are skiing the “volume gets turned up” with their body senses and they are able to know exactly where they are in space giving which increases the ability to be coordinated and balanced.  Then when they are trying to sit still in a chair the “volume is turned down” and they loose their sense of body awareness and may even fall out of their chair.

#10 Dance

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If your child does not have auditory issues, I think tap dancing is a wonderful source of sensory input to the muscles and joints for position sense (proprioception).  There is so much feedback to every step they take.  Other forms of dance would be more appropriate if your child has auditory sensitivity.

 

Many of these activities are also available with Special Olympics. This is a great way to make friends, get a lot of family support and be in a non judgmental environment. It is also an opportunity for your child to be with kids who have even greater challenges than they do helping your child have balance and perspective in their life.

Mary Kostka is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in Sensory Processing Disorder at  her  private practice, ‘Ohana Occupational Therapy, LLC,   in Wenatchee and Leavenworth Washington.

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Filed Under: Sensory Processing

Community Highlight

Ben's Fund

The Ben’s Fund was founded in 2012 in order to  provide financial support and guidance to children and young adults in the state of Washington who have autism. The Ben’s Fund provides grants to families in need to help with expenses associated with numerous aspects of supporting a child or young adult on the autism spectrum. Click HERE for more information on how to apply for a Ben's Fund grant.

Ailments We Treat

Diagnoses/Conditions:

Sensory Processing Disorder
Developmental Coordination Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
ADD / ADHD
Hyperactivity
Physical disabilities
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Brachial Plexus Injury
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Self care Skills
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Sleep
Eye contact
Hand splints and foot orthotics
Wheelchair selection and fitting
Adaptive toys, equipment and
adapting the environment to the
child's needs.
Transition Skills

Pediatric Therapy Specialists

Wenatchee Clinic
1139 N. Princeton Suite B,
Wenatchee, WA (509) 888-7435

Our Revolutionary “Sensory Integration” Program Changes Lives!

Watch the program in action in our video. If your child is suffering from behavior, coordination, learning, or energy issues, this program could make a world of difference. Boost confidence, … More...

What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

It's when a child has difficulty processing the world around them. What they see, hear, smell, touch, and taste isn't recognized the same as you and me. The signals get mixed up and it can cause … More...

Click Below To Learn More On How To Make Your Child’s Life A Better Place

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Testimonials

Maxwell's Success Story: "Before coming to 'Ohana, our main concerns with Maxwell were his challenges making friends, low muscle strength, frequent meltdowns, and frequent accidents at school and at … More...

What Can I Expect?

Our specialized programs and treatments are proven to bring results. You can expect to see changes and improvements within your child sometimes within the first 14 days. You can also expect to get … More...

Specialized Facility

In our clinic, you will see about 1800 square feet of cushioned floor space with an amazing array of ropes, therapeutic suspended equipment, tunnels, crash pillows, balls and other child-oriented … More...

Recent Blog Posts

What is stimming and should I let my child do it?

What is Stimming: Stimming is short for “self-stimulating behavior”. This behavior looks like repetitive movements, … [Read More...]

‘Ohana OT’s Roots, a Tribute to Mary’s Father

In honor of Father's Day today, I want you all to know how my own Dad has influenced me. If my Dad was still alive today, … [Read More...]

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