Tips for Helping a Sensory-Seeking Child Stay Focused
If your child is constantly moving, touching everything, or seeking loud noises and deep pressure, they may be sensory-seeking. This means their nervous system craves sensory input to feel calm and organized. While sensory-seeking behavior is not unusual, it can interfere with daily routines, especially when your child needs to sit still, focus on schoolwork, or follow directions.
As pediatric occupational therapists, we often work with families to support focus and attention in children who have high sensory needs. Here are some helpful strategies:
Offer Regular Sensory Breaks
Plan structured movement or sensory breaks throughout the day. Activities like jumping on a trampoline, swinging, doing animal walks, or wall push-ups give your child the input they crave and help them reset.
Try this:
5–10 minutes of movement every hour
A quick sensory circuit before homework or mealtime
Use Fidget Tools with Purpose
Fidgets can help kids stay engaged, but they should be used intentionally—not as a distraction. Choose items like stress balls, chewy jewelry, or textured pencil grips. Let your child try different options and find what helps them stay calm and alert.
Provide Deep Pressure Input
Deep pressure (like hugs, squeezes, or weighted items) is calming to the nervous system. Use tools like weighted lap pads, tight squeezes during transitions, or a compression vest if recommended by your therapist.
Minimize Environmental Distractions
Some kids need extra input, but they can also be easily distracted by visual or auditory clutter. Simplify the space where your child works:
Use noise-canceling headphones if needed
Reduce background noise
Use visual schedules to help with transitions
Stay Consistent and Patient
Sensory-seeking behavior is your child’s way of self-regulating. When you give them safe and structured ways to meet those needs, they’re better able to stay focused and participate in daily routines.
Need support? Our occupational therapist can assess your child’s sensory profile and create a customized plan to help them succeed at home and in school!
Check out this week's Real Talk Thursday video—a fun and informative series where you get to know the team behind Elevate and learn more about our therapies. This week, join our occupational therapist Shannon for a 'This or That' session where she breaks down the differences between popular therapy toys and how they support kids’ development.
Reference:
Miller, L. J., Anzalone, M. E., Lane, S. J., Cermak, S. A., & Osten, E. T. (2007). Concept evolution in sensory integration: A proposed nosology for diagnosis. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.61.2.135
