I’m convinced that adoptive parents have to be some of the most dedicated folks in the world. Reading about how some have converted rooms in their homes to “sensory rooms” is further evidence. Adopted children coming from a background of neglect, often have sensory integration problems. While sensory integration problems can occur for many reasons, the probability increases for children who were not properly stimulated as infants.

As the professionals learn more, they are discovering fascinating things about the role of our vestibular system in brain development and the power of things like rocking your baby. Children adopted from international orphanages, where the worker to child ratio is low, often lay in their cribs for hours with very little sensory input. This can literally change the way the child’s brain develops.

So, with the guidance of Occupational Therapists who specialize in Sensory Integration (or what is called Sensory Processing Disorder by some), parents are developing sensory rooms for their children in their homes that mimic what can be found at the OT’s office, and look like a McDonald’s playland on steroids.

These rooms generally contain gym mats or thin mattresses, as well as large pillows or giant stuffed animals for the child to cuddle and lay on. Some have put ball tents or ball pits The rooms also contain specific therapy equipment designed to address a child’s sensory needs.

The type of equipment that can be useful includes platform swings, tire swings, mini-trampolines, long body pillows, inner tubes, rope hammocks, and various small sensory toys for sorting and tossing (like bean bags).

There are some very innovative things you can do, depending on your child’s sensory needs. One mom recommended buying t-shirt material (with some stretch) and making a long fabric tube just wide enough that it would hug your child as she wriggles through it. Another suggested trays of different kinds of dried beans, corn, sand and other substances to help with tactile stimulation.

The key to developing a successful sensory room for your child is in understanding what your child’s sensory needs are. The only way to know this is to work with an OT trained in sensory integration therapy.

Using sensory rooms, or any type of sensory integration diets on a regular basis (such as letting a child chew gum or have a fidget toy in hand while concentrating on academics) will show positive results if it meets the child’s sensory needs.

Check out this site: Southpaw Enterprises if you’re contemplating building your own sensory room.

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