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Proprioceptive Integration

Body Awareness · Heavy Work · Joint & Muscle Input · Grounding. The proprioceptive system is the most powerful calming sensory system — heavy work can rapidly reduce arousal within minutes.

⚡ Key Principle: Heavy work (pushing, pulling, carrying) provides the deepest proprioceptive input. Effects last 1–2 hours — use strategically before demanding tasks.
Seeking
CrashingBody slammingChewingHead bangingExcessive fidgetingTight hugsToe-walking
Avoiding
HypotoniaPoor force gradingAvoids physical effort
Wall Push-Up Series
2.1
★ Easy⏱ 3–5 min
🎯 Rapid proprioceptive input to joints and muscles; calming and grounding
  1. Child stands 60 cm from a wall, arms extended, palms flat
  2. Perform 10 slow wall push-ups — push firmly, hold 2 seconds at full extension
  3. Rest 15 seconds; shake out arms
  4. Repeat for 3 sets
  5. Progress: chair push-ups — seated, press palms into armrests to lift body 2 cm, hold 3 sec × 10
  6. Advanced: floor push-ups with 5-second hold at top position
💡 TipsPlace at doorways — child does 5 push-ups before entering each new room. Excellent pre-task primer: do immediately before a seated task requiring focus.
Heavy Work Obstacle Course
2.2
★★ Moderate⏱ 15–20 min
🎯 Full-body proprioceptive discharge; reduce crashing and body slamming
  1. Station 1 — Tunnel Push: crawl through fabric tunnel pushing a weighted ball ahead
  2. Station 2 — Tyre Flip: flip a small rubber tyre end over end, 3 times
  3. Station 3 — Sandbag Carry: carry a 2–3 kg sandbag 10 metres, place down, return
  4. Station 4 — Monkey Bars: traverse 5 bars for hand strength and shoulder input
  5. Station 5 — Wheelbarrow Walk: adult holds ankles; child walks on hands 5 metres
  6. Station 6 — Crash Pad: running jump onto thick foam crash pad — SAFE crashing outlet
💡 TipsRun this circuit 1–2× daily; especially effective after school as a discharge before homework. Adapt each station to available space and equipment.
Resistance Band Pull Exercises
2.3
★ Easy⏱ 5–8 min
🎯 Graded muscle and joint input; improve body awareness and regulation
  1. Tie a therapy band to a stable anchor at child's chest height
  2. Pulling: child grasps band, walks back 10 steps, holds 3 seconds, walks forward — 10 reps
  3. Row: anchor at waist height; pull band toward abdomen in a rowing motion, 15 reps
  4. Lateral pull: band overhead; pull down to chest level, 15 reps
  5. Leg push: band looped around foot; push forward against resistance, 10 reps each leg
  6. Perform 2–3 circuits with rest between exercises
💡 TipsUse during homework — child does seated band pulls between subjects. Excellent for children with hypotonia — builds proprioceptive registration.
Joint Compression Protocol
2.4
★★ Moderate⏱ 3–5 min (OT initially)
🎯 Deep proprioceptive input to joints; reduces seeking behaviour for 1–2 hours
  1. Shoulders: adult places both hands on shoulders and applies firm downward pressure, 10 sec × 10 reps
  2. Elbows: adult cups elbows and applies gentle inward compression, 10 sec × 5 reps
  3. Wrists: adult wraps hands around wrists, gentle traction then compression alternately, 10 reps
  4. Hips: child sits; adult presses firmly down on hip bones (iliac crests), 10 sec × 5 reps
  5. Knees: adult places palms above and below knee and compresses gently, 10 reps each
  6. Ankles: apply gentle circular compression around ankle joint, 10 reps each
💡 TipsFollow the Wilbarger sequence — must be trained by OT. Always pair with brushing for maximum effect. Can be done at the start of the school day.
Weighted Backpack Walk
2.5
★ Easy⏱ 10–20 min walk
🎯 Continuous proprioceptive grounding during transitions; reduce running and restlessness
  1. Load a comfortable backpack to approximately 10–15% of child's body weight
  2. Distribute weight evenly left and right (textbooks, water bottles, or sandbags)
  3. Child wears the pack and walks at a moderate pace for 10–20 minutes
  4. Encourage deep, slow breathing while walking
  5. Include mindful element: notice 5 things you see, 4 you hear, 3 you can touch
  6. Remove pack for 30 minutes, re-apply — repeat throughout the day
💡 TipsDO NOT exceed 15% body weight — consult physiotherapist for children with hypotonia. Ideal before school, before transitions, and after lunch.
Crash Pad & Deep Pressure Sequence
2.6
★ Easy⏱ 5–10 min
🎯 Safe outlet for crashing and body slamming; proprioceptive discharge
  1. Create a crash pad: stack 3–4 thick sofa cushions or buy a commercial crash mat
  2. Child runs from 3 metres and jumps/falls onto the pad — designated 'crash time'
  3. After each crash: adult places hands on child's back and applies firm pressure for 5 seconds
  4. Repeat 5–8 crashes per session
  5. Follow with quiet proprioceptive activity: kneading clay or squeezing putty for 3 minutes
  6. End with 2-minute rest in a body sock or under a weighted blanket
💡 TipsProvide a visual timer so child knows how long crash time lasts — prevents escalation. Schedule at predictable times so child doesn't seek crashing at random.
Kneading & Clay Therapy
2.7
★ Easy⏱ 10–15 min
🎯 Oral and hand proprioceptive input; reduce chewing on non-food items; improve hand strength
  1. Provide a large ball of therapy putty (start with medium resistance)
  2. Squeeze: whole-hand squeeze and release, 20 reps
  3. Roll: roll into a log between palms, pinch into small balls, 15 reps
  4. Flatten: press flat with palm heel, fold, press again, 10 reps
  5. Pull apart: two hands pull putty apart against resistance, 15 reps
  6. Hide and seek: hide small plastic beads inside the putty; find them using fingers only
💡 TipsFlavoured therapy putty (food-grade) can satisfy oral-seeking if child mouths it. Excellent desk activity between lessons — reduces fidgeting and restlessness.
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Mitra can explain the heavy work strategies, tell you how often to use them, and help you build a daily proprioceptive routine for your child.
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