Sensory Registration

Helping children respond to the world around them 

👂 What Is Sensory Registration? 

Sensory registration is the brain’s ability to notice and respond to sensory input (like touch, sound, or movement). 

🧩 Signs of Difficulty: 

• Doesn’t notice things others do (e.g., loud sounds, pain) 
• Overreacts to everything—can’t “tune out” background noise or distractions 

🎚️ What Is Sensory Modulation? 

Sensory modulation is the ability to adjust responses to sensory input appropriately. 
It helps us: 

• Focus on what’s important 
• Stay calm or alert when needed 
• Respond appropriately to touch, sound, movement, and more 

🌀 Modulation Spectrum: 

Under-Responsive ← “Optimal” → Over-Responsive 

🚩 Signs of Sensory Modulation Difficulties 

🛠️ Strategies for Over-Responsive Children 

• 🧘 Prevention: Avoid or modify overwhelming situations 
• 🏠 Create a “hideout”: A quiet, cozy space with favorite toys 
• 📅 Use routines: Picture schedules and countdowns for transitions 
• 🗣️ Give warnings: “5 more minutes” instead of abrupt changes 
• 🤝 Consistency: Respond calmly and predictably 

💪 Strategies for Under-Responsive Children 

• 🧠 Create a sensory diet with your therapist 
• 💥 Use intense input: Stronger sensations may be needed 
• 🏋️ Encourage heavy work: 
  • Pushing/pulling laundry baskets 
  • Jumping, climbing, carrying groceries 
  • Squeezing playdough or stress balls 

🧠 What Are Heavy Work Activities? 

Heavy work involves activities that push or pull against the body, giving proprioceptive input—the deep pressure that helps children: 

• Increase attention 
• Decrease sensory defensiveness 
• Regulate energy and emotions 

🏠 Everyday Heavy Work at Home 

• 🧺 Carry laundry baskets 
• 🧹 Sweep, mop, vacuum floors 
• 🪣 Carry buckets of water to clean or water plants 
• 🛏️ Change sheets and toss linens down the stairs 
• 🧽 Scrub rough surfaces or wipe tables 
• 🪑 Push in chairs after meals 

🧸 Play-Based Heavy Work 

• 🧱 Build with large blocks or push toy trucks filled with blocks 
• 🛷 Pull a friend in a wagon or on a blanket 
• 🛋️ Jump, crash, or hide in sofa cushions 
• 🐻 Animal walks: bear crawl, crab walk, army crawl 
• 🧗 Climb playground equipment or inner tubes 
• 🥋 Try gymnastics, karate, or wrestling (with rules!) 
• 🛏️ “Sandwich game” – gently squish child between cushions or beanbags 

🏃‍♂️ Movement & Outdoor Activities 

• 🧗‍♀️ Hike with a weighted backpack 
• 🧺 Rake leaves, mow lawn, push wheelbarrow 
• 🧼 Wash the car or bathe the dog 
• 🧳 Pull a suitcase or child’s shopping cart 
• 🏀 Play catch or bounce a heavy ball 
• 🧗 Rearrange bedroom furniture (with help!) 

🧘 Quiet Heavy Work Options 

• 🪑 Chair push-ups 
• 🧸 Squeeze stress toys under the desk 
• 🧘 Isometric exercises (pushing hands together, wall push) 
• 🧶 Push weighted carts or boxes across carpet 
• 🧘 Use weighted blankets or tight pajamas at night 

🎨 Creative Play Ideas 

• 🎨 Color rainbows on the floor while on hands and knees 
• 🚗 Play “cars” under the table while crawling 
• 🛏️ Build a blanket fort and “go camping” 
• 🧵 Tug-of-war with a jump rope or theraband (with supervision) 
• 🛷 Swing in a sheet (watch for signs of overstimulation)