1. Head Movement: This involves the child making movements with their head, either in circular motions or shifting side to side. It often helps them calm down and regulate sensory input.
2. Watching Spinning Objects: Some children enjoy watching objects that spin, such as fans or rotating toys. This provides visual stimulation and helps them focus or relax.
3. Body Rocking: Rocking back and forth or side to side is common for children with sensory needs. This rhythmic movement helps them self-regulate and manage overstimulation.
4. Spinning or Twirling: Some children spin their bodies in circles repeatedly, seeking intense movement that helps them feel grounded and calm.
5. Head Banging: Some children may engage in head banging, often as a way to seek sensory input or self-soothe. This behaviour may be an attempt to regulate sensory overload or release pent-up energy.

Why Do Children Engage in These Behaviours?

These behaviours are often a way for children to seek or regulate sensory input. Here are some common reasons:

1. Seeking Sensory Input: The repetitive nature of these movements helps the child get the sensory feedback their brain needs to stay calm and regulated.
2. Self-Regulation: Movements like spinning or rocking can help children manage overstimulation, reduce anxiety, and help them feel calm in busy or noisy settings.
3. Enjoyment or Focus: Watching spinning objects or moving their body can feel enjoyable.
4. Need for Intense Movement: Some children seek a lot of movement because their brains don’t register these sensations the same way as others. They may not feel dizzy or uncomfortable, and might even enjoy spinning or other movements for longer periods of time.

How to Support

Supporting these behaviours in a positive and controlled way is important. Here are some strategies:

1. Observe and Understand Their Needs: Pay attention to when and why the child engages in these behaviours. Are they trying to calm down in a noisy space? Understanding the triggers will help you support them better. It’s also helpful to note down every behaviour in a daily diary to track patterns and gain more insights into their sensory needs
2. Provide Safe Alternatives: Offer safe activities that meet the child’s sensory needs without causing harm. For example:
   • Head Movement or Body Rocking: Use rocking chairs, therapy balls, or swings to provide safe rhythmic movements.
   • Watching Spinning Objects: Provide toys like fidget spinners or spinning tops for visual stimulation.
   • Music and Movement: Play music that the child can dance or move to. Activities like clapping, swaying, or tapping along to the beat can help. You can also use instruments like tambourines or drums to make sounds and move with the rhythm. This helps the child engage with both music and movement in a fun way.

Ensure all activities are conducted in a safe environment, such as a space covered with cushions or soft mats, to prevent injuries. Parent supervision is essential to guide the child, ensure safety, and enhance their experience during these activities.

3. Limit Excessive Spinning: Some children can spin for long periods without feeling dizzy, which might be calming for them. However, excessive spinning can affect their daily routine and may overstimulate their sensory system. It’s important to limit the spinning time to ensure it doesn’t interfere with their regular activities.

4. Incorporate Movement Activities for Sensory Input: Introduce safe movement activities that offer vestibular input in a controlled way:
   • Swinging in Various Positions: Experimenting with different ways of swinging (e.g., sitting, lying on the tummy) can give helpful sensory input.
   • Bouncing on a Trampoline: This combines vestibular and proprioceptive feedback, helping the child to feel grounded.
   • Rolling on Therapy Balls: This helps meet the need for spinning while keeping it safe.
   • Squeeze Machine: Using a squeeze machine or a similar device can offer deep pressure input, which can be calming for some children, helping them regulate sensory input effectively.
   • Somersaults or Forward Rolls: These activities help with head inversion and offer valuable sensory feedback to the brain.
   • Headstands or Inverted Postures: These can provide intense vestibular input that some children may find calming or regulating..

5. Create a Calming Environment: For children who feel upset or uneasy, set up a calming space with soft lighting, weighted blankets, and noise-cancelling headphones. Minimize loud noises and bright lights that might make them feel more anxious or uncomfortable.

When to Seek Professional Guidance

It is important to seek professional intervention, even if these behaviours are common for children with special needs. An occupational therapist can assess the child’s sensory needs and suggest specific, individualized strategies to support their development.

Parents should consult a therapist if they notice the following:

• The behaviour is causing harm and affecting the child’s safety.
• The behaviour interferes with essential daily activities like eating, sleeping, or learning.
• The child struggles or feels uncomfortable transitioning from sensory activities to other tasks or cannot stop the behaviour independently.
• The need for individualized strategies to address sensory needs effectively.

Conclusion

Understanding and addressing sensory-seeking behaviours in children with special needs can help them navigate their world more comfortably. Rather than trying to stop these behaviours, the goal is to guide and support the child by offering safe, structured alternatives that help them meet their sensory needs in healthy ways. With the right support, children can develop and thrive while feeling calm, engaged, and balanced in their environment.