Sensory Resources and Tools:
Proprioceptive input (pressure):
● Weighted blanket –
TSB living sell a range of weighted blankets and covers, priced between $50-130NZD.
Sensory Sam sell a variety of weighted products, with their blankets costing about $200NZD
● Body sock –
A body sock provides proprioceptive input while still allowing the individual to be active and move around.
● Massage ball
● Weighted items such as stuffed animals or lap pads. These can be purchased from Sensory Sam or Sensory Corner. Sensory Corner also sells weighted vests and a variety of other weighted products.
● Sensory sheet –
This is a sheet that wraps around most of the mattress, usually made out of a stretchy material. It provides proprioceptive input while laying down. They can be purchased from Sensory Sam and Sensory corner.
● Sensory swing – Available from Sensory Corner
Vestibular input (movement):
● Scooter board
● Rock-it
Rock-it Boards make wooden balance boards for all ages.
● Wobble cushion
● Trampoline
● Spinning chair
● Climbing frame
● Slackline
A slackline has the same concept as a tightrope except it’s wider. You determine how high or how loose it is.
Kmart sells a 15m slackline for $35.
● Wobble stool
A wobble stool has a convex base that allows the stool to rock in all directions. There are a number of brands and names for the stool including Jari stool, Hokki Stool and Kore stool.
Fidget:
● Stress ball
Nee Doh is a really satisfying fidget stress ball. They come in different shapes, sizes and colours and can be bought from places like Toyworld and Whitcoulls.
● Popit
Essentially this is just reusable bubble wrap. It can be purchased from many stores including The Warehouse.
● Play dough, putty or slime
● Rubik’s cube
● Acupressure ring
This is pretty much as it sounds, a fidget ring that provides pressure.
● Magnetic fidget rings
These usually come in a set of 3 and are plastic rings that connect to each other with magnets. Their availability in different stores can vary but is sometimes available from The Warehouse or Toyworld. Toyco sells a set called FinGears.
● Fidget cube or Fidget pad: The fidget cube or fidget pad has multiple things to fidget with. They often have things like a joystick, buttons, a switch and other moving parts. The main difference between the cube and the pad is just the shape. The Cube is often available at The Warehouse. The Fidget pad is available from NotSocks and sometimes Toyworld.
● Infinity cube
The Infinity cube is eight small cubes attached together with hinges in such a way that it will just keep unfolding. They can be purchased from many places including Farmers, Toyworld, Whitcoulls, Game Kings and Sensory Sam.
● Lego
● Tangle
The Tangle toy can be purchased from The Warehouse, Toyworld and Whitcoulls.
● Snap Fidget
Sold at Toyworld, Not Socks, Whitcoulls and Shein
● Fidget ring
A fidget ring is great as a subtle fidget item. It looks like a regular jewellery ring but has moving parts, often with a rotating outer ring.
Sound:
● Noise Cancelling Headphones
There’s a wide range of brands that make noise cancelling headphones but some good ones are Bose and JBL. Look for headphones with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC).
● Earplugs
Loop earplugs are silicone and cancel out up to 27dB
Vibes High Fidelity earplugs cancel out 15dB
Earpeace earplugs cancel up to 19dB but come with interchangeable filters that allow you to choose your level of reduction.
● Rain or Ocean drum
● Thunder drum
● Instruments
Sight:
● Bubbles
● Bubble tube lamp
This is a similar concept to a Lava lamp except it’s bubbles.
● Lava lamp
● Galaxy projector
This is a light that projects moving lights onto the ceiling. It is colour and speed adjustable. They can be purchased from Kmart for $75 and are called ‘Mirabella Genio Wi-Fi Nebula & Star Projector’.
● Modular light panels
There are panels that can be attached to the wall which light up when touched.
Other:
● Indoor tent or blackout tent
Having a small indoor or blackout tent gives a space to escape and have reduced sensory input in terms of light and sight. It can just feel like a safe space. Indoor play tents can be bought from a variety of places like Kmart or the warehouse, for example. Sensory Sam sells a blackout tent called ‘The Zen Zone’ but are also available from amazon and sensory direct. They can be found under different names such as sensory tent or sensory pod.
● Chewelry
This is silicone jewellery that gives individuals something safe to chew on. There are styles that can look quite subtle so as to look less like a baby’s teething toy. Sensory Corner have a large variety of fun shapes and designs.
● Scented candles
● Seamless socks
● Beanbag
● Vibrating pillow
Information resources:
1. Autism Together explains Autism and the senses, including proprioception and vestibular input.
https://www.autismtogether.co.uk/autism-and-the-senses/
Links:
– www.tsbliving.co.nz
– sensorysam.co.nz
– www.rockitnz.com
– www.loopearplugs.com/
– www.sensorycorner.co.nz/
– gamekings.co.nz/
– https://notsocks.co.nz/