5 Favorite Activities for a Sensory Seeker

[@HarklaFamily]

If you enjoyed the video and want to dive deeper into aiding your sensory seeker in getting the most out of their day, make sure to check out our full course on understanding and creating sensory diets! 👇 harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

[@kamilah5621]

Is this tactile dysfunction? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipWyfXaricijadUsi=fZQYZf7UgVsRWiql

[@michelleclute7909]

I think you just saved my life.I’m a sensory avoider and my kids are sensory finders.I don’t even have to do these activities when I feel sensory overload.God bless you both ❤

[@HarklaFamily]

Wonderful! We do have podcast episodes on helping when your sensory needs are different than your child's! The All Things Sensory Podcast Episode 219 harkla.co/blogs/podcast/219-tips-for-when-your-childs-sensory-preferences-dont-match-yours?_pos=1&_sid=46d3b8e2d&_ss=r

[@PerkHopper]

I feel like I just won the lottery. I had never heard of this before, my daughter is 5.5 and never stops moving, is always chewing on her hair, is SUPER rough when she comes in for a hug and loves to climb and crash. I, on the other hand, am insanely sensitive to most senses. Noises & touch especially, so you can see how this is a problem! I have been feeling so awful for our "clash" in these ways but at least I know there is a real reason.

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi Christy, we am SO happy that we could help to shine some light on the differences between you and your daughter! We each have out own sensory language, and knowing them can help us commuunicate better... so to speak :-) You may also want to check out our video on Meeting the Sensory Threshold (kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWWup5d-idCUpbM) - it might help your daughter feel more regulated and ready for some gentle cuddles!

[@dayanastockdale]

Same! I feel like I finally understand my 5 year old daughter and it is a revelation

[@kristinestortroen7253]

I am in the same boat with my 3 year old. He is a sensory seeker, and i am learning just now at 33 thatt im a sensory avoider. Too much touch sends me overboard. Sound sends me overboard. My son, doesn't stop moving, loves to crash into me, jump on me, literally would glue his face to mine if he could. Loves to be SUUUUPER CLOSE TO MY FACE. We go to the trampoline park like every other day, and I make jump pad obstacles so he can jump on that. I also got him a punch bag.

[@Pseuodnyma]

​@kristinestortroen7253 I think you are me and my son is your son. To a T. It is so exhausting- we have a mini trampoline, daily dance parties, go to the park at every opportunity. A punching bag is a great idea. Just now discovering sensory diets and it's mind blowing my mind.

[@kathyneff2042]

Glad to find you! I started a program 20 years ago for special needs students at my church. Although I’d worked with the Deaf community for years had no clue how to meet the needs of kids with ASD. It’s been a learn as you go adventure ☺️. Love our kids, all ages, all levels, always changing~ I’ll be sharing your videos with my Team~excellent info! Blessings ❤

[@HarklaFamily]

So happy the videos are helpful for you!

[@hi_pinky22]

Idk how I found this but thank God! It’s been helping so much !!! And now so many things make sense.

[@HarklaFamily]

So glad it was helpful!

[@alexm1841]

I just installed one of these today. The child loved it!

[@HarklaFamily]

That's so great to hear!

[@haannguyen4402]

I have autism (I just turned eighteen today). I can’t tell whether I’m a seeker/avoider, but I used to LOVE being on swings as a child, and I’m also noise sensitive. 3:56 I did try to eat non food items as a kid (chewed on wooden pencils, and tried to eat grass)

[@HarklaFamily]

You're likely a seeker in some areas and an avoider / more sensitive in other areas!

[@ellewilliford6416]

Oh my goodness, what brilliant ideas!

[@HarklaFamily]

Glad you like them!

[@xiomanaxoxoxo3212]

So good . Great work

[@Glory_to_YAHWEH]

My favorite activity for my sensory seeking as a kid was to stick the top of my head in the sandbox so sand would get stuck in my hair and then scratch it all out into my notebook during class. Evenually, I stopped using the sand and just picked out my dandruff and acne. I still do it. Second favorite was plucking eyebrows and eyelashes.

[@journey2sereniteastardustc434]

This video helped so much

[@HarklaFamily]

So happy to hear!

[@anjali.simoes]

here is my checklist: 1 yes, I have a hammock 2 no, me particularly don't like the jump sensation 3 yes, I always have some gum and I choose food by texture 4 yes, I have some blankets 5 yes, I love this kind of things

[@HarklaFamily]

thanks for sharing!

[@PARVEENBASSI1]

Excellent video thanks for the info, my toddler daughter has some sensory issues, can you guys recommend some diagnostic tools we can do at home?

[@HarklaFamily]

We always recommend in-person OT! Chat with your pediatrician for a referral! For things to do at home, check out our other videos on meeting on the sensory threshold and sensory diets!

[@christiancorona6328]

Me encantan sus videos, son muy educativos. Muchas gracias. Desde Zapopan Jalisco

[@HarklaFamily]

¡Nos alegra mucho que te gusten los vídeos!

[@sahwameryema8602]

شكرا

[@HarklaFamily]

You're welcome!

[@Peacelovejoy1111]

Thankyou so much

[@HarklaFamily]

Most welcome 😊

[@refugiohuerta7771]

My child LOVES her swing. I put a swing in our enclosed patio ,but now that 🥶 winter🥶 is coming we need to fine something for her to do inside ..

[@HarklaFamily]

So glad she loves it!

[@maryr23]

Same my 4 year old girl is obsessed with swings, now I understand why 😂

[@lovertanuki8850]

Thank you so much for sharing. May I ask you will they have sensory problems forever? Like just getting better. Or can they grow out of it and be completely fine .

[@HarklaFamily]

We have a helpful podcast episode on this topic! harkla.co/blogs/podcast/248-will-my-child-grow-out-of-sensory-processing-disorder?_pos=1&_sid=8bf8b4a19&_ss=r

[@erinsmith5718]

Where do I find the checklist you mentioned in the beginning? Thank you!

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi! We link everything in the description of the video =) Here's the link to the free checklist! sensationalbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/SB-Sensory-Checklist-English-2017.pdf

[@anamikasharma537]

Your videos are Unique.

[@HarklaFamily]

Thank you!

[@mikefitzgerald3311]

Thank you for this. He loves blowing into liquid through straws at resturants. I never thought to do a bubble mountain at home. Also, Do you have any recommendations or thoughts on how to teach grandparents how to support and or respect grandchildren and the family with sensory input ?

[@HarklaFamily]

Yeah definitely try it! =) That's such a tricky situation! You can always send them our resources and say something along the lines of, this is where we're learning more ways to help our kiddo! We also have a handout on our freebie page that might be useful - Helping Others Understand Your Kiddos & Sensory Processing harkla.co/pages/freebies

[@BridgetChristie-e3i]

As an OT myself, I have a tactile and prop seeker; vestibular cautious I would say because he does love the swing but is weary with jumping and heights. I thought that light touch would be too over-stimulating so I provide deep brushing, heavy sensory bin (beans and marbles), joint compressions, putty, and lotion. How would you decide whether to give lighter touch or deeper touch tactile activities?

[@HarklaFamily]

Sounds like you're on the right track! You can try including some light touch activities and see what his response is. If he has an adverse reaction, it could be helpful to do more in order to help teach his nervous system how to process and modulate that type of input!

[@JessWeis-n5l]

This explains to me why I've always preferred hard,s stale, once-chewy candy, which I've never understood!

[@elphaskiplagat8355]

Can swing trigger convulsions?

[@HarklaFamily]

Many people with epilepsy can have seizures that are triggered by swinging / vestibular input. If working with an individual with epilepsy, it's best to er on the side of caution when swinging.

[@sarathkumar3699]

Sensory seeking in auditory sense What kind of activities better for the child?

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi Sarath, Activities with a start and stop, interactive songs, drumming on pots and pans but follow the leader - soft and hard and patterns, metronome activities, Bal-A-Vis-X (www.bal-a-vis-x.com/), and the listening program (advancedbrain.com/)!

[@esphyonage]

What to do with kid that has sensory issue on tactile and gustatory? He is been in ocupational therapy but i dont see any difference..

[@HarklaFamily]

Definitely check out our other videos on tactile processing and gustatory / olfactory activities! We also have a podcast - All Things Sensory - that might be helpful! Also chat with the OT about what they are doing in therapy to make sure your concerns are being addressed!

[@siennaprice1351]

I’m an adult on the autism spectrum, I also have complex PTSD, and I have a physical disability. I’m a sensory seeker a lot. I love swings, I also love my sensory canoe, AKA Harklahug, I love my weighted blanket. I also love using sensory items, and I love the feel of the sensory brush. I sometimes wonder if self injury could be a way of sensory seeking. For example, if my brain is thinking of something that I don’t really like, and I use self injury as a way of coping, is that a way of sensory seeking. If so, what should I do to help with that?

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi Sienna, I would like to start by saying that if you are in immediate danger please dial 911. If you are having thoughts of self harm, or are worried that you may harm yourself, please seek help. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). or you can text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor. The same way that we always recommend speaking with your doctor and advocating for an OT evaluation, if you are having thoughts of self harm we highly recommend that you speak with a professional who can offer you the type of assistance that you may be in need of. We never want anyone to harm themselves. We wish you all the best and hope that this information was helpful.

[@siennaprice1351]

@@HarklaFamily no. I’m not in any sort of danger. I feel safe otherwise.

[@HarklaFamily]

@@siennaprice1351 That is very good to hear. From a sensory seeking standpoint, self injurious behaviors, such as pulling hair, pinching, biting, banging heads, etc can fall under the sensory seeking category. Identifying the sensory input you might be seeking when you feel the need to self-harm could be helpful. We always suggest proprioceptive based activities to start with, such as using a weighted blanket, hand squeezes or pushes, chair push ups, etc to help ground your nervous system. We do have a video that shares our favorite proprioceptive based activities if you need some ideas! Hope this is helpful!

[@siennaprice1351]

@@HarklaFamily yes. This is what I was exactly getting at. And this helps a lot. Thanks again.

[@physiocapsule7857]

Hi My son keeps moving always, especially when exposed to new environment he gets little hyper also. Making him do these activities frequently can help him calm on other times? Expecting your reply, as this is completely new to me

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi! If your son is seeking movement that interferes with his ability to complete daily activities (such as he's moving so much that he can't focus at school, or he can't complete daily routine tasks, he can't focus, etc.) - then he could benefit from a personalized sensory diet! We advocate for teaching children about their sensory system - teaching them how their body wants certain types of input to help feel happy and calm - so that we can help teach them independence! If your child is struggling to get through his day successfully due to seeking out lots of movement, we recommend chatting with your pediatrician and asking for an Occupational Therapy evaluation. In the meantime, check out our podcast, All Things Sensory, which has episodes on a LOT of related topics that might be helpful! harkla.co/blogs/podcast

[@rebekahbiskeborn5405]

After wearing a compression shirt my kiddo seems even worse with dysregulation ( super hyper/ spinning, etc...). Any suggestions on what I should try?

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi! Because everyone is different, it's hard to say exactly. Maybe the compression shirt is not actually helping his nervous system? Any time a kiddo is seeking out movement, they're trying to help their body regulate, so you can help him complete those activities as part of an obstacle course! Definitely check out our video on obstacle courses, meeting the sensory threshold, and sensory diets!

[@I.vy..]

Hi I’m autistic our house is really small I’m looking for something that doesn’t take up a lot of space but is really affective idk how to explain but can you make a list of those kinda things that don’t take up to much space

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi! Use what you already have! Couch cushions, pillows, blankets. Getting outside is a great sensory activity! And full body movements like animal walks, that don't require any equipment!

[@wwx1475]

my 5 year old brother is diagnosed with autism. he screams, runs and is not interested in doing any activities or listening to commands.We are really troubled, can you please give me some suggestions about what to do?

[@HarklaFamily]

First would be to seek out in-person occupational therapy services! They will be able to work 1 on 1 with your family to help! Talking to the child's pediatrician is the first step - ask for an OT referral!

[@wwx1475]

@@HarklaFamily he did go to occupational therapy last year and his grip strength and eye contact has improved. but now he does not do anything and he cries and bangs his head when we take him to OT. He does not speak he only mumbles and makes few sounds. The therapist have said he may not be able to speak. I really dont know what to do because no therapy center is willing to take him in :(

[@paula256nam]

I am aware that my child is a sensory seeker kind of person but she doesn’t like a weighted blanket and thought it would help her sleep better at night. Any suggestions?

[@HarklaFamily]

Since everyone's sensory system is unique, not every sensory seeker will like the weighted items! You can try a compression sheet and see if she likes that better. Also make sure you're meeting her sensory needs throughout the day and before bed - if she's not regulated at bedtime, she won't sleep! Check out our info on sensory diets!

[@ashwinipal3825]

Hello ma'am, any activities we can do to help a child for poop smearing. Mine is 4.5 . He stopped doing it around 3.5 yrs and now he has again started it. He is is fully potty trained he does it only when nobody is noticing him😢

[@HarklaFamily]

He may be doing it as a way to seek attention .. you want to find out WHY he's doing it and that will help with identifying the strategies that will work!

[@elisabethhootman8930]

Parent a nurse practitioner here. look up encopresis (and enuresis) and see if that lines up with your kiddo’s symptoms and talk to your pediatrician - this is a VERY common problem you are not alone but it can definitely get worse and be a big challenge. Highly recommend the MOP book series by Dr. Steve Hodges, and Soiling Solutions by psychologist Dr. Collins. There’s also a good video for kids that age done by University of Colorado - search “the poo in you” on KZbin. I hope this is helpful!!

[@elisabethhootman8930]

Parent and * NP is what I meant. Good luck!!

[@thatsnotmyunicorn]

Is there an age where Sensory bins become irrelevant? I didn’t realize they weren't just to give preschoolers something to do! My almost 8 year old is a sensory seeker, would he still get something out of doing sensory bins?

[@HarklaFamily]

Definitely! There are so many benefits, so many different types of sensory bins, so many ways to use them!

[@HarklaFamily]

We have a full video on sensory bins! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2aooJR4rZV1aJYsi=3QQyRBl3c47q968o

[@alka2165]

My kid is always playing in water and sand... how to deal with it

[@HarklaFamily]

Those could just be activities that are enjoyable to your child! If they seek out those play activities and it's interfering with other play activities or with daily routines, you can seek out in-person OT services!

[@xNCFOREVERx]

If a child climbs and runs every 3 seconds for hours, would that be a sensory seeker?

[@HarklaFamily]

Potentially! If their movement is interfering with their ability to complete daily tasks, then we would use the term "sensory seeker" to describe their actions!

[@alishbahissan9692]

Attention seeking behaviouris also sensitive seekers

[@HarklaFamily]

Hi! They definitely can be in some situations!