For hyper-sensitive children, OTs may suggest things like special seating and testing in a separate room, which will help avoid sensory overload. To help sensory seekers achieve an optimal level of arousal and regulation, OTs working in sensory gyms provides movement activities like swinging, crashing onto huge bean bags, and jumping on trampolines. They may also build sensory breaks into the day, allowing the child to walk around, stretch and even do jumping jacks at regular intervals. A wide variety of products including fidgets and chewable pencil tops and jewelry may provide calming input that helps children sit and focus.

Controversy continues as to whether two widely used practices, joint compressions and a brushing of the skin, actually “rewire” the brain so that kids can appropriately integrate and respond to sensory input, allowing them to feel more comfortable and secure as they negotiate their environment. Even Dr. Bagga admits that he isn’t always sure these practices have merit but “just when I have my doubts, there’s this great intervention. I had a child making almost no eye contact who was constantly in motion. I put him on cushions and gave him a good brushing. I got eye contact through the whole session; his parents were gasping. Is he cured? No. Was it organizing? Yes.”

OTs also conducts Sensory Integration therapy, a major therapy used by OTs used for kids with sensory processing. SI therapy is basically to help kids with specific activities like resistive body work, and even brushing of the skin. This help kids to experience optimal level of arousal and regulation. According to OTs, this process is also called rewire, where kids’ brain can integrate and respond to sensory input. This helps them feel and sense.

The job of OTs is to engage kids with physical activities designed to regulate their sensory input and make them feel more comfortable and secured. There is no specific sound study that proves OTs performing sensory therapy really works. However, many parents found that therapists and exercises do help kids for feeling better.

What does OTs actually do?

 

Evaluation - OTs before undertaking any therapy will evaluate your child’s specific sensory issues. They will observe the child's behavior closely.

 

Treatment - OTs offers certain activities making your child feel comfortable. Activities include rolling or bouncing on huge balls, jumping into a ball pit, crashing into a mountain of huge pillows, etc.

 

Brushing - They use brushing for children who find sensation what we consider as a normal touch. It involves using a soft-bristled brush to provide deep pressure, followed by joint compressions