This all hits home for me

I work 1:1 with a 3y/o whose behaviors include impulsivity, bolting randomly from the room, talking during quiet times, etc. When I first saw him I could just see his body begging for deep pressure! Now he gets a sensory diet right when he gets to school, and before and after chaotic times like recess. He loves it! Our favorites include "nap time" and "hamburgers," both of which involve squishing him between 2 beanbag chairs.

One of his favorites, which seems to calm him down the most is "sunscreen," where I will take sunscreen or lotion and massage it into his arms and legs in a downward pulling motion. I was amazed at the fine motor, artistic and cognitive abilities he was able to demonstrate once his body was grounded and he didn't feel like he was jumping out of his skin. Now he asks for deep pressure. I think it's important to teach kids that when they feel that wild restlessness that their body is asking for deep pressure/sensory diet.

This all hits home for me. Ever since I was a kid I have loved to have deep pressure and intense sensation, but I never understood why, and I would get it in destructive ways. I feel so strange and on edge when I go for a while without a massage, lifting weights, squeezing stuffed animals, etc. I feel the same restlessness when there is complete silence; I need to have music or white noise. Now that I understand this for myself, I have been able to implement it with several children I have worked with. I feel empowered and in control of my own senses, and feel great that I get to help the kiddos, too! :)