Sunderland Autism Outreach Team

Movements displayed

Activities/equipment to support movement needs (some of these can be done within sensory breaks)

Running everywhere

·         Stop and start running

·         Changing direction

·         Shuttle runs

Rocking

·         Row row the boat

·         See saw

·         Balance boards

·         Wobble cushion (can be used all of the time)

Jumping/bouncing

·         Trampoline/trampette

·         Exercise ball

·         Space hopper

·         Star jumps

·         Whole class can access Jump Start Johnny (YouTube) or Go Noodle (subscription required)

Spinning

·         Egg chair

·         Sit in spinning tops

·         Chair on wheels

Dangling upside down

·         Hanging over an exercise ball

·         Lie over a chair

·         Bending over and touching toes

Flapping

·         Use a twiddle toy

Constantly out of seat during lessons

·         Give jobs such as handing out books, sharpening pencils, taking messages to office before start of tasks.

Deep pressure displayed

Activities/equipment to support deep pressure some of which would be appropriate within a sensory break

Pushing/hitting (shoulders)

·         Push ups off the wall

·         Body board to lie on and pull self along the floor

·         Rolling on top of an exercise ball and pushing forwards and backwards with hands on the floor

·         Row row the boat

·         Pushing wheel barrows/ push chairs with weight in

·         Pushing hands against another’s hands

·         Climbing on outdoor equipment

·         Wheelbarrow races (walking on hands)

·         Back pack with weight/weighted items to hang over shoulders

Climbing on furniture

·         Climbing frames outside

·         Climbing on PE apparatus

·         Push and pulling objects

·         Resistance bands to pull

Throwing (shoulders)

·         Throwing bean bags, balls etc

·         Back pack with weight/ weighted items to hang over shoulders

Pulling hair (shoulders)

·         Stretchy fiddle toy that can be pulled and gives resistance

·         Back pack with weight/ weighted items to hang over shoulders

Nipping/ Scratching (shoulders)

·         Soft sensory ball that can be pulled between thumb and forefinger

·         Material to scratch

·         Back pack with weight/weighted items to hang over shoulders

Kicking/stamping/bouncing (hips)

·         Kicking footballs

·         Trampoline/trampette

·         Bouncing on an exercise ball

·         Balance boards

·         Wobble cushion

·         Kick bands round chair legs

·         Resistance bands

Seeking out tight hugs/

Squeezing into small spaces/lying across desks

·         Rolling exercise ball over the child whilst they are lying on the floor

·         Massage rollers

·         Lycra to wrap round and hug self

·         Lying underneath blankets

·         Weighted items to lie across knees/shoulders when sitting

Head banging on objects, hitting themselves in the head, pressing head into others

·         Head massage

·         Head massages (metal with beads)

·         Caps and hats

·         Alice bands

·         Ear defenders

·         Sweat bands

Biting/chewing/grinding teeth

·         Chewy tubes may need to try different textures and density

·         Food (apples, carrots, chewing gum- age appropriate)

·         Vibrating toothbrush/vibrating toys held against jaw

·         Material (if chewing clothes need something similar such as old cuff/collar from jumper/polo shirt that is too small)

Spitting

·         Blowing bubbles

·         Milkshake breathing