FOR MARIA

Home PRogram

M A R L E E C R A K E R O T S

NEW TEXTURES
http://clipart-library.com/clipart/272383.htm

Invite Maria to touch as many new and challenging textures as possible,

Backyard play: With every daily activity, give Maria the chance to touch things:
https://www.theottoolbox.com/tactile-sensory-input-in-
Cooking Petting animals
backyard-play/
Gardening Washing dishes
Activity ideas:
http://drannezachry.com/development/activities-for-tactile- Walking outside Caring for baby sister
defensiveness/ Caring for pets Art projects

SENSORY CORNER
Invite Maria to create a safe sensory corner in the home to provide her
with soothing sensory input and a place to self- regulate
SENSORY OPTIONS:
Various sized pillows Sound Machine You can us a visual timer to limit Maria's
Bean bag Fun lights time in the corner during morning and
Old mattress Toys bedtime routines
Blankets (weighted) Colorful & moving things Affordable sensory Items:
https://yourkidstable.com/10-awesome-and-affordable-
Tent Books
sensory-toys/
https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/be
an-bag?
phrase=bean%20bag&sort=mostpopular

MARIA'S IN
Invite Maria to take control when engaging in non-preferred tasks
CONTROL
(Williams et al., 2020)
PROVIDE CHOICES:
Avoid overwhelming her Thank and Reinforce Have Maria use a fun visual timer for challenging tasks
Stay consistent https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog
https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/11/06/20-visual-
/joyful-parenting/201602/5-guidelines-
Create rituals

timers-for-children-with-special-needs/
giving-kids-choices
Ask for help with problems Explore new things at Maria's pace

BREATHING
EXERCISES Slow Breathing exercises can help Maria with self-sooth and calm
her body (Zuanazzi Cruz et al., 2020).
Have Maria lie down or sit back comfortably
Inhale: Breath in for 4 seconds TECHNIQUES TO USE:
Pause: Hold the breath in for 4 seconds Lazy 8 Breathing Fun breathing videos:
Exhale: Breath out for 6 seconds https://www.yoremikids.com/news/best
Blow bubbles -breathing-exercises-for-kids
Repeat: Continue for at least 2 minutes
Blow on a pinwheel More Resources:
https://www.kindercare.com/content-
TIP: Practice these techniques before she needs them hub/articles/2016/october/mindful-breathing-for-kids

BOO BOO
CHECK-IN Invite Maria to practice empathy through chats about what hurts
(Tucker et al., 2017)
1. Have Maria show you one of her "boo boos"

has hurt you, and how it felt
2. Sing, rub with lotion, massage near, and/or speak Talk about times when Maria
kindly to her hurt place Give Maria time to talk about times she has been hurt
3. Show Maria one of your "boo boos" and what it felt like
4. Ask Maria to interact kindly with your hurt spot Hurt can be emotional too, make sure to use emotion
words
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87/mister-boo-boo-bear-clip-art-p-587.html
 References

Beck, C. (2019, July 11). Tactile Sensory Input in Backyard Play Activities.
https://www.theottoolbox.com/tactile-sensory-input-in-backyard-play/.
Centers, K. C. L. (2016, October). Take a Breath: 5 Deep Breathing Exercises that Help
Kids Get Calm. Kindercare. https://www.kindercare.com/content-hub/articles/2016/october/mindful-
breathing-for-kids.
Grogan, A. (2019, December 10). 10 Awesome and Cheap Sensory Toys.
https://yourkidstable.com/10-awesome-and-affordable-sensory-toys/.
Leyba, E. (2016, February 1). 5 Guidelines for Giving Kids Choices.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/joyful-parenting/201602/5-guidelines-giving-kids-choices.
Nimbalkar, E. (2015). Effect of Sensory Integration on Tactile Defensiveness. Indian
Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 9(2), 117–121. https://doi.org/10.5958/0973-
5674.2015.00065.9
Saracino, B. (2020, April 19). 7 Fun Breathing Exercises for Kids That Actually WORK!
https://www.yoremikids.com/news/best-breathing-exercises-for-kids.
Schectman, T. (2013, November 8). 20 Visual Timers For Children With Special Needs -
Friendship Circle - Special Needs Blog. Friendship Circle.
https://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/11/06/20-visual-timers-for-children-with-special-needs/.
Tucker, C., Schieffer, K., Wills, T. J., Hull, C., & Murphy, Q. (2017). Enhancing social
emotional skills in at-risk preschool students through Theraplay based groups: The Sunshine Circle
Model. International Journal of Play Therapy, 26(4), 185–195. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000054
Williams, K., Sideris, J., & Baranek, G. (2020). Evidence for Stimulus Control-Based Factors
of Tactile Defensiveness in an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Sample. American Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 74(1), 99–100. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S1-PO8800
Zachry, A. (2017, September 16). If a child has tactile defensiveness, here are some
activities to try. http://drannezachry.com/development/activities-for-tactile-defensiveness/.
Zuanazzi Cruz, M., Fernandes de Godoy, M., Valenti, V. E., Pereira Jr, A., & Antonio Dias
Cardoso, R. (2020). The Effects Of Slow Breathing Exercise On Heart Rate Dynamics And
Cardiorespiratory Coherence In Preschool Children: A Prospective Clinical Study. Alternative Therapies
in Health & Medicine, 26(4), 14–21.