A Sensory Life!
  • Home
    • Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals
    • Understanding Your BABY's Sensory Signals
  • FREE Handouts!
  • Sensory Topics of Interest!
    • Beginning the Sensory Journey
    • Sensory Definitions >
      • Sensory Modulation
      • Sensory Anchors
      • Sensory Overload
      • Fight or Flight
      • Self-Regulation
      • The Power Sensations...Your Sensory Foundation
    • Sensory Meltdowns
    • The Gifted and Sensory Connection
    • The Effects of Spinning
    • The Power of Smell
    • The Bathroom and Potty Training Blues
    • To Brush or Not to Brush
    • Feeding Challenges
    • Sensory Side Effects
    • Sleep Challenges
    • Social & Emotional Factors
    • The Sensory and Autism Link
    • Eye Contact is WAY Overrated
    • Sensory Prepared for School! >
      • Back to School Sensory Tools
    • Family and Social Gatherings
    • S.E.N.S.E.
  • Living a Sensory Life!
    • Sensory in the Home >
      • How to Install a Swing at Home
    • The Easy Sensory Diet
    • Sensory Tips Planning Guide
    • Oral Sensory Needs and Preferences >
      • Oral Sensory Tools and Ideas
      • Bubble Mountain
    • Joint Traction and Compression
    • Sensory Retreats
    • The Power of Movement (Vestibular Input)
    • The Incredible Benefits of Jumping and Bouncing
    • Tools for Defensiveness
    • Fidget Tools and Fine Motor Development
    • Tactile Play and Activities
    • Portable Sensory Tool Bag
    • Tummy Time for Everyone!
    • Sensory Benefits of Crawling
    • Inverting the Head
    • Homework Success!
    • Get Outdoors!
    • Sensory Benefits of Sports
    • Magnesium and Sleep
    • Grounding and Earthing
    • Limiting Screen Time
    • Sensory How-To Videos
    • Sensory on a Budget! >
      • Homemade Cuddle Swing
      • Homemade Resistance Tunnel
      • Hula Hoop Tent
      • Homemade Trapeze
      • Sensory Uses for a Box!
      • Homemade Platform Swing
      • Weighted Blanket Made with Bathmats
  • Yogapeutics!

Keep it real. Keep it simple. Keep it sensory.
Take me to the books!
We are so happy you have found us! Perhaps you have found us through social media or an online search, or Angie's books. Either way, you will find this website to be packed full of free sensory resources and tools! This website is intended and designed to work hand in hand with the books written by Angie Voss, OTR, yet can stand alone as a resource for you. There is a very large amount of content on this site, so to help you navigate and to quickly access the topics of interest, utilize the search bar below to find any of the terms you would like more information on or for further instruction and details from the "Ideas to Help" sections in Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals or Understanding Your BABY's Sensory Signals. (for example...enter keyword bubble mountain and it will link you to that page on this website). 
All of the information on this website is original content written by the author and occupational therapist, 

Angie Voss, OTR otherwise noted. 
Copyright
©
 All Rights Reserved. 2014

Angie's Top 10 Sensory Tips

  • The brain responds best to purposeful and meaningful activity. Keep this very critical concept in mind when incorporating sensory activities and a sensory diet/home program into your daily routine.  Always make it fun, always make it meaningful and purposeful, and the brain is much more likely to respond AND there will not be tension or stress involved with any of it.
  • Never force a sensory activity or technique. (This includes brushing)
  • Children inherently want to please, do not assume “bad behavior” is the root of the situation
  • Eye contact is way overrated, respect it as a sensory signal and indicator
  • Refrain from tickling your child. Tickling gives the brain a mixed message of pain and pleasure, which our sensory kiddos surely do not need MORE mixed messages to the brain!
  • Proprioception is your “go-to” sensory system for calming and organizing sensory input
  • When in doubt, squish box! 
  • Inverting the head is a powerful tool.
  • Vestibular input is an extremely powerful tool and 15 minutes of input can have a 6-8 hour impact on the brain. 
  • Deep breathing is one of the most effective tools to support self-regulation and to keep fight or flight at bay.

What is a Sensory Signal?

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A sensory signal is a hint, clue, or indicator given by a child's behavior or reaction to the environment or surroundings. This includes a child's reaction to social interaction or communication. When one understands a child's sensory signals, it becomes more natural and clear as to how to enrich the environment with the right sensory tools and strategies. 


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Angie Voss, OTR
Content Writer for ASensoryLife.com

Please note: Angie Voss, OTR is no longer able to respond to individual sensory questions via email. Please use the contact link above for general website questions, business related items, or purchasing books.  Thank you so much for your understanding.
general inquiries or book sales email angie@asensorylife.com

When there is a greater understanding of sensory needs and differences, a transformation and shift in how one perceives the challenges can make all of the difference in behavior, development, and quality of life for a child. 
 Angie Voss, OTR
  • Home
    • Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals
    • Understanding Your BABY's Sensory Signals
  • FREE Handouts!
  • Sensory Topics of Interest!
    • Beginning the Sensory Journey
    • Sensory Definitions >
      • Sensory Modulation
      • Sensory Anchors
      • Sensory Overload
      • Fight or Flight
      • Self-Regulation
      • The Power Sensations...Your Sensory Foundation
    • Sensory Meltdowns
    • The Gifted and Sensory Connection
    • The Effects of Spinning
    • The Power of Smell
    • The Bathroom and Potty Training Blues
    • To Brush or Not to Brush
    • Feeding Challenges
    • Sensory Side Effects
    • Sleep Challenges
    • Social & Emotional Factors
    • The Sensory and Autism Link
    • Eye Contact is WAY Overrated
    • Sensory Prepared for School! >
      • Back to School Sensory Tools
    • Family and Social Gatherings
    • S.E.N.S.E.
  • Living a Sensory Life!
    • Sensory in the Home >
      • How to Install a Swing at Home
    • The Easy Sensory Diet
    • Sensory Tips Planning Guide
    • Oral Sensory Needs and Preferences >
      • Oral Sensory Tools and Ideas
      • Bubble Mountain
    • Joint Traction and Compression
    • Sensory Retreats
    • The Power of Movement (Vestibular Input)
    • The Incredible Benefits of Jumping and Bouncing
    • Tools for Defensiveness
    • Fidget Tools and Fine Motor Development
    • Tactile Play and Activities
    • Portable Sensory Tool Bag
    • Tummy Time for Everyone!
    • Sensory Benefits of Crawling
    • Inverting the Head
    • Homework Success!
    • Get Outdoors!
    • Sensory Benefits of Sports
    • Magnesium and Sleep
    • Grounding and Earthing
    • Limiting Screen Time
    • Sensory How-To Videos
    • Sensory on a Budget! >
      • Homemade Cuddle Swing
      • Homemade Resistance Tunnel
      • Hula Hoop Tent
      • Homemade Trapeze
      • Sensory Uses for a Box!
      • Homemade Platform Swing
      • Weighted Blanket Made with Bathmats
  • Yogapeutics!
✕