SPD

  • Sensory Processing Disorder – Part 5; DEEP Pressure

    Updated April 2021

    “Tackle me, roll on the floor with me, give me bear hugs”

    Sensory seeker vs Sensory Sensitive
    Illustration to show Sensory seeker vs Sensory Sensitive

    For Bear, there is almost no such thing as too much Deep Pressure. I can lie on top of him with all my weight and tickle him till he cant barely breathe, and he will beg for more if I stop.

    Boy in a green lycra bed sock looking like a caterpillar to help with sensory issue
    A green lycra bed sock becomes a caterpillar.

    He loves it all. Craves it. Begs for it.

    • Rough play.
    • Strong hugs.
    • Steam rollers on the trampoline.
    • Weighted blanket on his bed.
    • Lycra bed sock as a stretchy sack.

    He also finds ways to give himself deep pressure when he needs it.

    Dr. Temple Grandin invented the Hug Box, a deep pressure device, while she was in college.

    Bear has the Dino Deep Pressure Suit.

    Dino Deep Pressure Suit to help with autism
    Dino Deep Pressure Suit (Patent Pending)

    The suit itself is actually getting a bit small, but he increases the pressure he receives while wearing the suit by stuffing soft toys inside.

    He sometimes walks around the house with his suit stuffed to the brim.

    I’ve seen him admiring himself in my long length mirror!

    But I regularly find him just lying quietly in his room in his stuffed suit. I’ve even found him fast asleep.

    We’ve used compression vests in the past from JettProof, an awesome Australian company who designed these vests to help their son Jett who also has Autism. These worked for a few years and his kindy teachers could tell when he wasn’t wearing it. But he isn’t so keen on wearing them now which shows how his needs are changing as he is growing up.

    But I like the fact that he is finding his own ways to deliver the deep pressure that he needs when he needs it. He will still ask for big cuddles from us when he needs them and I will always give them to him. No matter what age.

    No (Deep) pressure, but I can create content for your own website or socials that will feel as good as a hug from the Hug Box.

    Contact me and we can jump together into your prefect content.

    You can check out some of my other content creation on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Sensory Processing Disorder – Part Two; Trampolines

    Sensory seeker vs Sensory Sensitive
    Illustration to show Sensory seeker vs Sensory Sensitive

    “I could bounce on a trampoline and
    spin in circles on the tire swing all day long.”

    Miracle Maker Mom

    Updated April 2021

    Trampolines

    LIFE SAVER!!!

    We had one well before Bear was diagnosed with Autism.

    Thanks to the support of our GP, we accessed an OT while he was going through the diagnosis process and she suggested SPD. We bought him a 12 ft trampoline and he practically lived in it!

    All the things he can do!

    He does all sorts on there:
    ✔️ take all his toys on there and bounce them around
    ✔️ use chalks and draw for ages
    ✔️ drag the hose or sprinkler on and make it rain
    ✔️ We do “steam rollers” where I would wrap my arms and legs around him tightly to pin his arms and legs down and roll from side to side in the trampoline. This would give him a lot of deep pressure, squishes and would ensure which ever parent did it had their full attention on him which is craved so much.

    Good for the Bad too

    It was his area to be angry in, to throw himself around in and to calm down in. He could say if anyone else was allowed in, giving him control over his environment.

    One of my favourite videos of him is when we had arrived back home after a visit to the UK. At first light he was on his trampoline just bouncing around as if he was saying hello to a very much missed friend.

    I would share it but in true Bear style he is half naked!

    Go on, you wont regret it

    So if you have the space, get one. If you don’t, try those little ones so they can bounce out some energy and get that bouncing input in their joints.

    They don’t have to be expensive. Kmart Australia have a good range and check out your local Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace for second hand ones in your local area.

    If you have the cash, Vuly look to be an awesome brand and can include all sorts of additions like swings, canopies and even a tent! That would have been awesome for Bear!

    If you aren’t sure, check out your local trampoline centre. Our fav local one is Flip Out Trampoline Arena. He did a Parkour course there and they were so supportive of him and encouraging while being understanding that Autism can come with certain limitations.

    We love Bluey

    We had to downsize to an 8ft trampoline at home but he still uses it regularly and loves to play games with Husband thanks to Bluey and her dad ☺️. Check out Season 2 Episode 11 for “Trampoline” and learn how to play Scrambled Eggs!

    You Spin Me Right Round Baby

    As for spinning in circles, we don’t have a tire swing, but most people at the park feel ill just watching Bear on the roundabout. There is no such thing as too fast for him. It’s used as a reward when he has his Physio sessions at the park. The funniest part is watching his try to walk afterwards 😆.

    And there are so many benefits to spinning that people don’t realise. So while I’m trying not to be sick just looking at him, he is receiving all sorts of sensory input, using all sorts of muscles just to hang on and if there are other kids around, learns how to share, take turns and stop if someone needs to get off.

    Here is a good explanation of why spinning is so good for him…

    Credit for the images goes to Miracle Maker Mom ☺️