Sensory regulation to improve attention for apraxia therapy

While settling in at my computer, I realized my habit of setting up a few things to aid me during work. From enjoying a cup of tea, a crunchy snack, or a lollipop, to playing music and wearing comfy clothes.

It's common for SLPs to have similar preferences. Hence, it shouldn't come as a surprise that our clients also require sensory support during challenging tasks like apraxia therapy.

Among the questions that I receive, attention-related concerns top the list. When working with young children, it's natural to redirect them and switch activities as needed. Offering choices regarding play activities and locations, such as the floor or a table, is beneficial.

But what if we did more? What about providing co-regulation to our clients? By meeting their sensory needs, we can enhance their attention to multisensory cues and increase the number of accurate trials achieved.

What sensory supports do I recommend for my clients?

I am not an occupational therapist. If your child receives OT, consult them for tailored recommendations. These techniques, which have been successful with my clients, can be tried with yours. Activities should be based on your client's preferences as every child is unique.

Here are some ideas to consider

These activities should not be seen as rewards but rather as tools to aid your client. They should be offered to make the session enjoyable and productive.

The picture below shows pictures of different sensory activities that one of my clients love. When he comes into therapy he can choose a couple of activities to engage in before we even begin therapy.  These pictures were created in lessonpix.com.

Click on the picture below to hear me explain more about this topic.