WHAT IS SENSORY INTEGRATION?

A pioneer in the field of occupational therapy (OT), Dr. A. Jean Ayers was both an OT and psychologist. She contributed a great deal to OT and developed a body of work discussing the theory of sensory integration.

Sensory integration explains the relationship between the brain and behavior and why individuals respond in a certain way to sensory input. Dr. Ayres described sensations of touch (tactile), vision, smell, taste, and sound (auditory). Additionally, two more senses provide information that is critical for our function in daily life against gravity. Our vestibular sense (movement and balance) provides information about where the head and body are in space and in relation to the earth's surface.

Proprioception (in joints and muscles) provides information about where and in what position our body is in space. Therapists from all disciplines now utilize sensory integration techniques in therapy.

SWINGING FOR SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDERS

Vestibular Processing:

If a child is struggling with vestibular processing, they seek out movement that interferes with daily activities, they are clumsy or uncoordinated, or they get motion sickness - then the compression sensory swing can be a great tool!

The vestibular system is located in the inner ear. This system is directly related to balance and vision - specifically eye movements. Because of the location in the inner ear, the vestibular system is activated with head movements. When the head moves, the eyes move and the brain and body must provide a response - balance!

When we think about vestibular input, we can think about running, jumping, spinning, and swinging. These movements activate the vestibular system and will provide a response - some people can tolerate more movement than others, while some people become easily nauseous with movement (motion sickness). Vestibular input is typically alerting to the nervous system.

The compression sensory swing provides vestibular input because it’s a swing! Depending on how you position your body in the swing, you can receive linear vestibular input - back and forth or side to side, or rotary vestibular input - spinning.

Some individuals become easily over-stimulated by vestibular input. This can cause adverse reactions such as nausea / vomiting or irritability (among others). Some individuals seek vestibular input - constantly on the move, seeking out opportunities to spin and jump.

Proprioceptive Processing:

If a child is struggling with proprioceptive processing, they seek out heavy work (such as pushing, pulling, jumping), they use too much force with tasks such as writing or playing, or they struggle with understanding where their body is in space (may seem clumsy or get hurt often) - then the compression sensory swing can be a great addition to their play items!

Proprioception is the awareness of the position and movement of the body. Sensory receptors are located on your skin, joints, and muscles. When we move, these sensory receptors send signals to our brain, telling it about the effort, force, and heaviness of the movement. Then our body is able to provide an appropriate response.

When we think about proprioceptive movement, we can also include heavy work - any type of movement that works the muscles, deep pressure - any type of input that provides pressure to our body, and vibration. Proprioceptive input is typically calming to the nervous system.

Individuals are usually not over-responsive to proprioception, meaning they don't have over-reactions to this type of sensory input. We do, however, see individuals who are under-responsive or sensory craving, meaning they want more heavy work, crashing, hugs, etc.

The compression sensory swing provides proprioceptive input through compression - almost like a hug! Because the material doesn’t have too much stretch, it provides more deep pressure than other stretchy swings.

SWINGING FOR COMPRESSION & CALMNESS

If a child is struggling with self-regulation and attention - they get frustrated easily, they cannot sit and attend to a task for an age appropriate amount of time, or they are unable to solve problems that are age appropriate - then the compression sensory swing can be a great tool!

SENSORY SWINGS FOR AUTISM, ADHD, AND MORE

If a child has a diagnosis or signs/symptoms of ADHD/ADD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Developmental Delay, cognitive / learning challenges, Apraxia, SPD, or speech/language delay, a sensory swing can be a great addition to their play and development.

TIPS FOR INTRODUCING THE SENSORY SWING TO YOUR CHILD

Some children love the compression sensory swing immediately - these children love to swing and move. Typically, these children do not need a “formal” introduction to the therapy swing.

However, some children are more hesitant when using the cuddle swing - these children may have challenges processing and modulating vestibular input (meaning their body and brain struggle to process movement and balance). These are the children who many refuse to climb into the swing, who may not know how to climb in or use the swing, etc.

If your child is unsure about the sensory swing, try these tips to engage them:

➜ Model! Get in the swing and show your child how to swing slowly. Let your child watch you have fun in the swing. Allow your child to give you a push in the swing.

➜ Place favorite toys in the swing and allow your child to swing their toys first.

➜ Suspend the swing closer to the ground so that your child is not as high off the ground.

➜ Allow your child to maintain a sitting position rather than laying down; it’s a lot scarier (aka more vestibular input) to lay down with legs unsupported.

➜ Never force your child to get in the swing unwilling. It will take them longer in the long run if we push them!

➜ Avoid pressuring your child to get in the swing as well. This includes positive pressure, i.e. “If you get in the swing, you can have a piece of chocolate!” ➜ Hang it up, let them explore, walk away (if safe) and when they get in on their own, don’t make a big deal about it! Just talk to them calmly about how it feels, what they think, etc.

➜ Put crash pads, couch cushions, a bean bag chair, or pillows and blankets under the swing to offer a safe landing if they want to crash and fall out on purpose.

➜ Wrap the swing up so it looks like a park swing and allow the child to put their arms over it so their legs are on the ground. They’ll have more control to swing and maneuver, while still getting a lot of input!

TIPS FOR INCORPORATING A THERAPY SWING INTO YOUR CHILD’S DAY

Incorporating the compression sensory swing into your child’s daily routine can help with self-regulation throughout the day as well as can add a play element into the day. Here are some tips for incorporating the swing into your child’s routine:

➜ Add the swing to the morning routine to help “wake up.”

➜ Use the swing as a “brain break” in between school/homework.

➜ Offer the swing after school, before getting started on homework, chores, or extracurricular activities to reset the nervous system.

➜ Use the swing as part of a sensory diet to help with arousal level.

➜ Allow your child to swing independently in order to de-stress or calm down when upset.

➜ Follow swinging with heavy work/deep pressure proprioceptive input activities to help reduce overstimulation.

➜ Activities like bear crawling, wheelbarrow walking, jumping jacks, crashing on a crash pad or couch, wall push-ups, chewing gum (if safe) will help.

➜ Use a visual timer to include a start and stop. “First we’re going to swing for 3 minutes, then we’re going to do 30 seconds of bear crawling.”

PRECAUTIONS FOR USING A THERAPY SWING

One of the main precautions when using the a sensory swing is to be mindful of the vestibular input. Vestibular input can be overstimulating for some children - if their body and brain do not process vestibular input adequately, they can display adverse reactions with too much vestibular input. “Too much” is very dependent on the child - every child is unique and will respond differently.

If your child struggles with processing and modulating vestibular input, try these tips to decrease any potential sensory overload while using the swing:

➜ Swing slowly vs very quickly

➜ When spinning, complete fewer spins with more heavy work/deep pressure breaks in between

➜ Spin in both directions equally

➜ Stop between each spin

➜ Count how many spins and respect your child’s boundaries! The last thing you want to happen is for your child to have an adverse reaction and refuse the swing

➜ Follow swinging with heavy work, as mentioned above! Proprioception helps to ground the nervous system

➜Before and after swinging, walk outside barefoot (if weather permits), jump, push on the wall, etc. to help the nervous system regulate

Adverse reactions to vestibular input may look like:

➜ Nausea / Vomiting

➜ Irritability

➜ Flushed face

➜ Excessive dizziness

➜ Dilated eyes

➜ Aggression

➜ Increased arousal level (increased energy)

➜ Frustration

➜ Potentially seizures if child has a history (we recommend consulting with your child’s paediatrician if they have a history of seizures or medical conditions before completing vestibular input)

➜ These reactions may appear immediately or several hours later.

It is recommended to always complete proprioceptive tasks (heavy work, deep pressure) after vestibular input - specifically after rotary/spinning - due to the calming effect of proprioceptive input to the nervous system. When in doubt, prop it out! :)