Strategies for the Under-Aroused Nervous System

A child who exhibits low arousal symptoms, may have difficulty staying focused on a task. They may have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, have a hard time getting started on homework, and can be very unorganized. This child may also become easily irritated with others and show signs of being quickly displeased at the smallest request.

A sensory plan typically targets a child’s ability to engage and participate in everyday activities, such as maintaining attention to a task, playing appropriately with others, participating in self-care tasks and transitioning from task to task.

The Following Are Strategies To Assist In Increasing Your Arousal:

Crunching on food such as dry cereal, chips, crackers, nuts carrots, apples
Listening to fast, loud music when getting ready in the morning
Bouncing on a therapy ball ex. while doing homework or table tasks
Jumping on a trampoline
Jumping rope prior to an activity that requires focus and concentration
Taking several movement breaks during a task
Chewing gum
Drinking cold liquids, eating popsicles
Heavy work. ex. pushing and pulling activities, carrying heavy or weighted objects
Playing “hot potato” with a ball or bean bag
Animal crawls
Aromatherapy, (peppermint, citrus)
Brain Gym, (cross crawls, crazy eights)