We’ve talked about doing occupational therapy at home, but now that the weather is warmer, we’re taking it outside! In the backyard or at the park, here are some ideas for strengthening those motor skills:
- Swinging-Kids with autism and sensory process disorder are calmed by the rythmic back and forth movement. Swinging is one of our favorite things to do!
- Climbing- Strengthening those gross motor skills and major muscle groups is so important. Let him pull up the rock climbing wall, climb a tree, or do the monkey bars.
- Balancing- Over a bridge or on a balance board, work on his sense of balance when he thinks he’s just playing. Try balancing on one foot and then the other to strengthen those skills.
- Moving- Just getting him moving helps a lot! Walking, running, jumping, skipping, and even wheel-barrel walking with your help
- Swimming- Because of the all-over pressure when you’re in the water, most kids with autism LOVE swimming (and bath time too!).
- Grasping– You can work on fine motor skills, like grasping, too! Let him squirt you with a water gun, draw with sidewalk chalk, and pick wild flowers.
Change up your therapy routine by taking it outside! You’ll see improvement and have fun!
Hi,
I’m a Children’s OT in the UK and am so thrilled when I see families integrating therapy advice, strategies and personal research into everyday life. Parents become such powerful advocates for how sensory intervention (whether involving professionals or not) can change the way a child makes sense of his/her world. You guys are an inspiration!
Suzanne
You have listed so many wonderful ideas to take occupational therapy outside. Not only will the child benefit from all those motor skills, proprioceptive input, tactile explorations and more, the child also gets the emotional boost from being outdoors. Studies have shown that being outdoors helps to elevate the mood and get children ready to work. If your child tends to dislike fine motor skill work going outdoors prior to working on those types of activities may be helpful.
For individuals with autism another wonderful outdoor activity is hiking (as long as your child is not a wanderer). Hiking provides moderate to vigorous physical activity, loads of proprioceptive input and a sense of accomplishment. You can go at your own speed and pick hikes that match your abilities.
Of course, your swimming tip is right on target.
Great post!!!
I have a couple of kids with sensory issues and I’m always so glad for the warm weather to roll around! My parents have a trampoline and my kids love to be on it, bike or trike riding is awesome too. I especially like these “therapy” ideas because they are just plain fun and the kids don’t even realize they are doing something beneficial!