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Sensory
stimulation refers to the
impact the environment has
on our
minds and bodies as we receive
information
through
our sensory
organs and our brains interpret this input.
Usually sensory
stimulation
involves one person providing
the stimulation to another person
such as
when
someone
is passively receiving a massage or has fur rubbed on his
arms.
But
sometimes a person can merely
sit
outside to enjoy the
visual stimulation of
the trees, olfactory stimulation of flowers,
auditory stimulation of birds, tactile
stimulation of the wind and
vestibular
stimulation of the rocking chair.
Click on photo for
visual stimulation.
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Occupational
therapists often talk
about providing sensory
stimulation
to a person who is so disabled she is only able
to passively receive
the stimulation. This may be a coma
patient, severely
developmentally delayed child or a
victim of Alzheimer's
disease. Sensory stimulation
is used as a way to involve the
person with the environment,
bring pleasure and it provides a medium
for interaction
with a person who otherwise, has limited abilities to
interact.
Sensory
integration is very
different than sensory
stimulation.
Sensory
integration involves
active participation. Therapists
guide children to develop adaptive
responses to sensory
based activities. For example, the child who
learns how to
pump his legs to swing independently has developed an
important adapted response to the vestibular and
pro proprioceptive input of swinging.
Sensory stimulation,
on the
other hand is passive and the
therapist is providing the stimulation to
another person.
Perhaps the person will smile in response and be more
aware of the environment but the goal of therapy is not
specifically to promote adaptive responses.
Visual
Stimulation
 Parents
provide visual stimulation from
the very beginning with both beautiful
objects
in the natural world and toys
such as picture books and
crib
mobiles.
People
who are passive may not look
around or be able
to understand what they
are seeing in
the distance. Therefore, they
benefit from stimulating
objects being brought close to the face.
 The movement and sounds
of mobiles stimulate
babies to visually explore and reach for objects.
 Objects that
combine both auditory
and visual stimulation are great
because the
sound will attract the
person's attention to look at the
object. This
ball makes an
interesting
sound when the beads move
around and the
movement of the beads
catches the eye.
 Plastic
tubes can be filled with
interesting objects that make
sounds when
the
tube is rotated.
This tube is sold to hold long
light
bulbs. The contents
can be little pieces of bright
plastic,
beads, jewelry pieces, necklace
chains, anything
bright and shiny and
small. Click
on the picture for a larger view.
 Tornado tubes
involve purchasing the small
plastic piece in the center which has threads
on
each side. Screw a soda bottle to each end.
Fill the bottle
with water. You can add food
coloring,
glitter or even shiny
plastic confetti
for a visual effect. It is fun to watch the water
swirl down into the lower tube. Place the
person's hand on the
bottle to feel the
movement.
 Bright
visual toys
with moving parts
may
catch the person's attention. Move a
flashlight slowly
across
the visual field
to see if the person's eyes follow the
movement.
Bright lights can be fun and
stimulating but be careful with flashing lights
that may be
irritating and cause seizures.
 Shiny
paper such as
mylar is often
very attractive and multisensory
since it
feels and
sounds interesting
when squeezed. On the left is an
inside out potato
chip bags filled
with packing peanuts placed inside
a mesh bag for an
additional texture.
On the right is mylar paper.
Auditory Stimulation
 Music is often a very
powerful
stimulation, especially since it
is so varied and holds personal
meaning associated with the
person's past. Objects that make
other
sounds can be fun. This
"Groan Stick" makes a funny sound when rotated and
there are many toys
on the market that make animal and
other types
of sounds.
 Click
on picture of Sarah wearing musical
hat.
 Bells
were placed
inside this plastic
packaging and secured with red duct
tape to make a
shaker. Residents
might enjoy bells that are strapped
around the wrist to shake, grasping or
just listening to other types of shakers.
Different sounds can be made by putting
marbles, pennies
or water into
small juice bottles.
 Marbles
were inserted inside this
toy
and the ends taped closed. It
makes a great
sound when shaken.
Try to place the individual's hand
on the object while gently
shaking it.
 
  
Make
a tape recording of familiar
environmental sounds
such as children
playing, animals, cars beeping, phones
ringing, a familiar
television theme song and the voices
of loved ones.
Tactile
Stimulation
 Massagers come in all different shapes
and sizes. Some vibrate and others
are
just rolled along the
body. Sensory
catalogs and health stores also sell
vibrating pillows and long
tubes that
can be wrapped around the shoulders.
 Vibrating
balls are
sold for
children and vibrating pens
are designed
to make writing
fun. However, when the
pen point is removed, you
have a
wonderful
device that fits inside the hand.
 There
are lots of
different types of
textured balls that
feel
great when
placed
in the hand. Perhaps the
person is
able to use
these tactile toys in an
activity such as dropping
them into a box.
A therapist might
gently
rub pleasant textures such as satin,
fur or
velvet along the arms
and legs.
 This
furry bag feels great. There is a
squeaky
dog toy inside.
A gentle push makes
the sound. Higher
functioning
individuals can use such a bag
in a game
of catch or
pass it around in a circle.
Proprioceptive Stimulation
Tactile
and proprioceptive stimulation really go hand in hand.
Vibration and
weighted objects
such as this sand bag provide
proprioceptive input.
 My
mother
likes the weight of a bag filled
with sand or water on her lap. Higher
functioning individuals may be able
to
use such
objects in games or
activities
such as placing them in a
box or pushing
them off the table.
My mother (on the left) is holding a
bag filled with
water and plastic
fish. It
is marketed for babies. You
can also fill an ice bag
sold
in drug stores or even a disposable glove
with
water. Place
the glove in
the
person's hand to squeeze.
Bean bag chairs provide proprioceptive and tactile stimulation
while relaxing with a book.
 The
squishy pillows filed with
microbeads
feel great on the
lap
and under
or around
the
head.
They are sold in a
variety
of
shapes, sizes, colors
and
designed
like
stuffed animals.
Gustatory
Stimulation
 Many
older people find their sense
of taste and smell reduced and
may
enjoy
foods
with strong tastes to
stimulate their pallet. Thanksgiving
is often the best
day of taste and smell stimulation
at
nursing homes
and other institutions.
Olfactory
Stimulation
Pleasant
scents or aromas can be
provided by either holding the
bottle
below the nose or spraying
a mist
nearby. Many lotions
and
massage
oils have pleasant
aromas that they
can smell
as the hands and arms
are massaged.
Vestibular
Stimulation
It's not an accident
that
we associate
elderly people with rocking chairs.
The rhythmic, back and
forth, slow
movement is relaxing, yet stimulating.
There are
special rockers that can
be attached to wheelchairs. However,
a relaxing wheelchair trip through a
facility or better yet
the great outdoors
can be very stimulating and enjoyable. 
©2008 Barbara Smith
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