29/05/2023
The proprioceptive system receives input from the muscles and joints about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement and changes in position in space.
Our bodies are able to grade and coordinate movements based on the way muscles move, stretch, and contract.
Kids who are showing signs of proprioceptive dysfunction might do some of these things:
• Appear clumsy
• Fidget when asked to sit quietly.
• Show an increased activity level or arousal level.
• Seek intense proprioceptive input by “crashing and bashing” into anything.
• Slap their feet when walking.
• Flap hands.
• Use too much or too little force on pencils, scissors, objects, and people.
• “No fear” when jumping or walking down stairs.
• Or, are overly fearful of walking down steps/jumping.
• Look at their body parts (hands/feet) when completing simple tasks.
• Sit down too hard or miss chairs when sitting.
• Fall out of their seat.
• Fluctuates between over-reacting and under-reacting in response to stimulation.
• Constantly on the move.
• Slow to get moving and then fatigue easily.
Proprioception activities like these are a good way to calm and organize your child such as:
☆ Stair climbing/sliding—bumping down on the bottom.
☆ Crawling through tunnels or boxes on all fours
☆ Playing Tug of war—with ropes, scarves, stretchy bands
☆ Roughhousing—play wrestling
☆ Pulling/pushing—weighted wagon, wheelbarrow, or cart (weighted)
☆ Catching/throwing—heavyweight ball, beanbags, cushions
☆ Kicking—a soccer ball, big ball;
☆ Carrying heavy items—groceries, boxes, books
☆ Swimming/ extra bath time
☆ Big ball activities
☆ Scooter board activities
☆ Silly animal walks
☆ Wheelbarrow walking
☆ Pulling apart resistant toys/objects—Lego, snap beads, stretchy toys
☆ Pounding/rolling—Play-Doh/clay
☆ Hitting-punching bag or tetherball
☆ Squishing between pillows
☆ Body stretch
☆ Joint compressions
☆ Heavy exercise—push-ups, sit-ups, handstands, Tug of War, jumping
☆ Batting at balls—use a plastic baseball bat
☆ Swinging—while someone pulls on legs
☆ Hanging—from adult hands or trapeze bar
☆ Pushing- against a wall, another person, hands together
☆ Therapeutic massage
