Hello! I am currently studying to become an occupational therapist.  Our youngest child, Tyler, has autism. I left my job as a medical assistant to stay home with him once he started kindergarten. He is now in second grade.

When he was younger, he had some issues with the weights the occupational therapist used for his therapy. I decided to make some fun covers for the weights with dinosaurs on them, which are his favorite toys.

 He was more receptive to the weights once he saw the covers, because they were dinosaurs. I had made a few extra covers in other patterns and gave them away to other clients of our occupational therapist.

Now that Tyler is older, he has fewer struggles with sensory issues. However, I still have to pull out his sensory brush once in a while when he is feeling overwhelmed.

I thought about integrating some of the tactile mediums we used when he was younger with toys. If the child has something which they consider fun, why not use that as an advantage.

 It would make them more receptive to touching the different mediums and make their perception of that particular sensation more positive.

This can transfer into all aspects of life. For instance, using a toothbrush. If you incorporated a particular medium onto the handle of a favorite character themed toothbrush and let them get used to that, they may be more inclined to brush their teeth.

I am hopeful that by using a child’s particular interest or favorite character, it will engage them to step beyond their boundaries. Making progress fun is the ultimate goal.