eat or gags on certain foods Eats extreme tasting foods (i.e., lemons, hot sauce, lots of salt or pepper) Sensitive to hot or cold foods Licks, tastes, or tries to eat play dough, objects, or toys Olfactory (Smell) Might smell everything they touch Sensitive to odors (i.e., perfume, air fresheners, essential oils) Might not smell or recognize bad odors Sniffs other people Breathes through their mouths instead of nose Vestibular Might seem like a "thrill seeker" (i.e., jumping from high places, climbing furniture, running extremely fast) Difficulties with sitting or remaining still Prefers to lie down instead of sitting up Enjoys being upside down Easily loses balance when walking, going up and down the stairs, or standing Rocks back and forth Proprioceptive Touches walls while walking Stands too close when talking to others Chews, pulls, or twists items (i.e., pencils, shirt, toys, hand or arm) Accidentally leans, trips, crashes, or bumps into objects or people Deliberately falls or crashes into things Walks stiff and uncoordinated Pulls fingers or cracks knuckles constantly Frequently breaks toys or objects Sensory activity examples Visual Spinning tops or toys Light up toys Use a flashlight or pen light to draw attention Visual memory games Colored chalk, markers, crayons, and pencils Lava lamps Bubbles Look in mirror Coloring mixing activities Light table Shadow exploration Parachute play Auditory Incorporate music during activities Noise cancelling headphones Background noise, white noise, or sound machine Books, puzzles, toys, or manipulatives with sound Bubble wrap Snap, clap, or stomp Play with music instrument Kazoo toy Listen to nature sounds outside (i.e., birds, ducks, dogs) Tactile Play dough Sensory bin with rice, beans, cereal, or waterbeads Theraputty Sand or water play Lotion massage rub to hands and arms Fidget toys Scratchy gloves, sand paper, cotton balls, brushes Finger writing or hand play with shaving cream or whipped cream Finger paint Bubble wrap Felt strips Textured foam paper Carpet samples Play dress up and practice zipping, buttoning, snapping, tying or looping laces Gustatory (Taste) Mouth and chewing toys Vibrating toys Vibrating toothbrush Sour, salty, crunchy, snacks Drink warm or cold liquids Variety of straw types (i.e., hard, soft, rubber, textured) Olfactory (Smell) Lotion with calming or alerting aromas Scented soaps to wash hands Essential oils diffuser, necklaces, bracelets Scented markers or stickers (non-toxic) Scented play dough, finger paints, or sensory dough Scented bubbles Create scented bottles with aromas, spices, or oils Vestibular Rocking