Special Services » Lionsgate Academy

Sensory Activity Ideas for Summer Vacation

Schedule

Avoid being in a rush
Post or stick with a daily schedule to minimize meltdowns
Minimize screen time (TV, video games, computers)
Allow for a variety of movement activities in your schedule
Provide choices whenever possible

Activities

Backyard trampoline with safety enclosures
Large therapy ball: laying on stomach to play a card/board game on the floor or to do a puzzle on the floor
Join gymnastics, karate, swimming or horseback riding
Spend time outside going for hikes, bike riding, jump roping, etc.
Provide heavy work chores when the student is escalating

SLP Tip of the Week

Set students up for success when receiving instruction: make sure you have students’ attention before beginning. Reduce background noises by closing doors and windows and by turning off equipment that is not in use. Reduce visual distractions by eliminating clutter. Allow students to familiarize themselves with class materials before instruction, if possible. Be sure to use visual supports!

Handwriting Tip of the Week

Do you have students who write too big or have troubles leaving space in between words? Try using graph paper for students instead of lined paper for assignments. Depending on the student’s ability level, he or she can print two letters in each square and leave one square open in between each word. I have found this to be very successful for students who need visual guidelines for their writing.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw Puzzles are a great activity to increase your students’ visual perceptual, spatial, and fine motor skills. In turn, puzzle activities also help students improve their ability to copy notes off the board. Have an enrichment day in class where students work on putting puzzles together-individually or in groups!

Tip of the Month

In the book Social Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, the case is made over and over again that we are all better social problem solvers when we monitor and moderate our emotions. Decisions made in high emotional states are rarely as effective as decisions made AFTER our emotions have run their course, and we return to a calmer and more clear-thinking place. In essence we need to learn to better understand our own emotional patterns so we can thoughtfully respond to the challenges we face, versus reacting to them.

March Tip of the Month

Everyone of us needs to find an outlet to help regulate ourselves. A positive way to do this is find an appropriate workout or exercise routine that fits into our daily lives. Don’t always think about going to the gym or fitness center, there are plenty of things you can do in your day that will give you that outlet and help us get rid of some of the stress that may build up during the day. Take a walk outside, ride your bike, take your pet for a walk, sit ups/push ups in your living room, all good starts to getting active.

Tip of the Month – March

Since individuals with autism are very concrete in their thinking patterns and may struggle with abstract concepts, try to combine visuals (or specific examples), simplified language (fewer, shorter sentences), and plenty of wait time (up to one minute!) when discussing symbolic or abstract concepts (not straightforward facts and descriptions).