Sensory Swings * The Purpose: Provides deep vestibular input (movement and balance) which is incredibly soothing for an overstimulated nervous system.
Best Practices: Because they require mounting and space, these are typically housed in a dedicated sensory room rather than the general classroom.
[Video Embed: Proper use and safety of sensory swings]
Chew Toys (Chewelry or Chewlery)
The Purpose: Provides oral sensory input. For many students, chewing helps relieve anxiety and improves focus.
Best Practices: Hygiene is critical here. These items must be unique to the specific student, strictly non-shareable, and managed/cleaned by the parent or guardian.
[Video Embed: How oral sensory tools help with regulation]
Fidget Toys
The Purpose: Keeps the hands occupied so the brain can focus.
Best Practices: Establish clear rules that a fidget is a tool, not a toy. If it becomes a visual or auditory distraction to others, it may need to be swapped for a quieter tool.
[Video Embed: Effective fidget tools vs. distracting toys]
Body Socks
The Purpose: A stretchy, wearable sack that provides deep pressure and proprioceptive input (awareness of the body in space). It helps children feel secure, grounded, and physically contained.
Best Practices: Excellent for safe spaces or corners of the room when a child feels overwhelmed and needs to "hide" while remaining supervised.
[Video Embed: De-escalation techniques using a body sock]
Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Purpose: Dampens auditory overload without completely isolating the student from instruction.
Best Practices: Keep a few pairs accessible in the classroom. Allow students to put them on independently when they feel the environment getting too loud (during assemblies, transitions, or loud group work).
[Video Embed: When and how to introduce noise-canceling headphones]
Therabands (For Chair Legs)
The Purpose: Heavy-duty resistance bands tied around the front legs of a student's chair.
Best Practices: This gives students who need constant movement (like bouncing their legs) a way to get that heavy work out quietly and without leaving their desk.
[Video Embed: Installing and utilizing Therabands in the classroom]
Bean Bags
The Purpose: A soft, unstructured seating option that conforms to the body.
Best Practices: Perfect for a designated "calm down corner," giving a dysregulated student a safe place to crash or relax.
here are some tangible tools you can use to help you. Many of these are likely already in a sensory room (if you school has one). Our goal is to have this equipment in classrooms so that EVERYONE can benefit from them. We believe that by having these tools in the classroom, and destigmatizing them, that not only will we promote a more inclusive tomorrow, we will see that ALL children can benefit from the equipment.
