Activities that are usually alerting ~ Sensory Processing Disorder

Activities that ar e usually alerting (many of these activities belong under more than 1 sensory system)

Food: May be taste or muscles
Crunchy - popcorn, pretzels, bread sticks, dry biscuits, dry cereal, fruit, nuts, raw vegetables (eg carrot or celery), frozen fruit pieces
Sour food - (alerting and organising!) - lemon balls, sour lollies
Hot, spicy or bitter flavours
Cold drinks
Ice cubes - cold and crunchy!
Chewing on sugar free gum
Sucking - popsicles, frozen grapes
Sucking or blowing through a straw

Smelling:
Strong scents such as vinegar, garlic, parmesan cheese, coffee

Hearing:
Dance or marching music
Musical instruments
Cause and effect sound toys

Seeing:
Bright lighting in work areas
Visual toys

Touching:
Cold water play
Splashing cold water on face, neck, hands
Sprinkler play

Moving:
Fast swinging
Spinning eg on chair, sit and spin
Bouncing on lap, ball
Action songs eg "head, shoulders, knees and toes"
Fast rides eg in a wheelbarrow

Muscles:
Running, jumping, hoping, skipping, chasey
Trike/bike riding

Information from Avon and Central Primary Health, Child Development Team, Occupational Therapy Dept.