Everyone who works with children knows that moment: your child is melting down, zoning out, or crashing into everything in sight. You want to help, but where do you start? That's where the Sensory Strategy Selector comes in.
This interactive tool was designed by a pediatric occupational therapist to give you immediate, actionable strategies based on your child's specific sensory needs and your current environment. No more guessing or scrolling through endless articles. Just three simple questions, and you'll have targeted activities you can use right now.
Step 1: Identify Your Child's State
Answer a few quick questions to determine whether your child needs calming input, alerting activities, opportunities to safely seek sensory input, or strategies to avoid overwhelming stimulation.
Step 2: Select the Sensory Systems Involved
Choose one to three sensory systems that seem most relevant: body squeezes (proprioception), movement (vestibular), touch (tactile), sounds (auditory), sights (visual), or mouth input (oral).
Step 3: Choose Your Environment
Tell us where you are right now: at the desk, in the classroom, at home, or on the go. Each environment requires different strategies that work within real-world constraints.
Then watch as the tool generates three unique, research-backed activities tailored specifically to your situation.
Every strategy in this tool is grounded in peer-reviewed occupational therapy research and sensory integration theory. The activities are based on decades of clinical evidence showing that:
Each strategy is designed to be safe, practical, and effective for children from preschool through middle school. While these are evidence-informed suggestions that work for many children, every child is unique. For personalized support and a comprehensive sensory diet, please consult with a qualified occupational therapist.
These are general, evidence-based suggestions from a pediatric OT. For an individualized, in-depth program tailored to your child's specific needs, please consult with an Occupational Therapist.
If you found this tool helpful and want to dive deeper into understanding your child's sensory world, you're in the right place. Sensory processing is the foundation of how children learn, play, and navigate their daily lives. When we understand what their nervous system needs, we can support them with compassion instead of frustration. If you like these digital tools, check out my Sensory Developmental Milestone Flip Cards. They are designed to help you understand how children experience the world through their senses as they grow and learn.
Understanding the Senses: A Pediatric OT's Guide
Start here to learn the basics of all eight sensory systems (yes, eight!) and how they work together to help your child feel regulated and ready to learn.
Sensory Needs and Emotional Regulation
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Top Sensory Play Ideas for Kids
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Sensory Strategies for School Success
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Sleep, Screens and Sensory Overload
A guide to rebuilding rhythms that help your child feel safe, rested and ready for the day ahead.
Download the Free Sensory Bin Setup Guide
Get step-by-step instructions for creating effective sensory bins that target specific developmental goals.