Sensory Saturday--Deep Pressure

Download my FREE Calming and Alerting Sensory Cheatsheet!

I look forward to connecting with you and sharing SpEd Spot tips and FREEBIES!

Built with ConvertKit

Proprioceptive (also called deep pressure or heavy work) input is the type that I use most often because it is sort of the "default" that you should use when you aren't quite sure what the student needs. This is because deep pressure has a calming effect. For more information about deep pressure you can read about it here. 

Weighted Vest

Some students need deep pressure during activities. Typically these kids are the ones you see bouncing off your classroom walls or who seem overly anxious. A weighted vest provides a calming effect. 

Steamroller

This is another way to provide proprioceptive (deep pressure) input. We have our steamroller in a sensory room at school and kids who need a break will go to the room and roll through the steamroller several times. 

Weighted Lap Pads

Some students don't like the constricting feeling of the weighted vest but they still need the weighted pressure so I give them a weighted lap pad. This is also the more discrete option for general ed classrooms.

Pressure or Benik Vest

A pressure vest provides deep pressure to a students torso. The vest pictured is a Benik vest which is typically sized specifically to one student. I am sure there is a method to when to use a weighted vest and when to use a pressure vest but I don't know what it is. I typically try both and see which one the student prefers. 

 Body Sock

At first I thought Body Socks were bizarro! But they worked so I quickly started to love them. They are great for those kids who have trouble with boundaries and knowing where they body is in space because it makes a physical boundary around them.

Therabands

Therabands are also great for working on strength and resistance. Another great way to use them is by tying them to a child's chair leg for those kids who seem to constantly be kicking you under the table. The band allows them to kick but protects your shins by providing a boundary.