For the Speech Therapists at North Shore Occupational Therapy, one of our key goals is to help children reach their full communication potential. To achieve this, we understand that therapy isn’t just about spoken words, it’s about creating an environment where children feel safe, regulated, and ready to engage. That’s why our therapy sessions often include sensory activities and therapeutic tools that may look similar to occupational therapy (OT). However, while there are overlaps in our approach, our focus remains on building communication and social skills through play and connection.
The Connection Between Sensory Regulation and Communication
Many children who come to us for speech therapy also experience sensory processing differences. These differences can impact their ability to focus, engage, and communicate.
For example:
- A child may require proprioceptive (deep pressure) input like hanging over our tire swing at the start of the appointment to support their regulation. Once regulated, they can reach a more optimal level of arousal to learn and communicate.
- A child seeking sensory input might have difficulty sitting still or sustaining attention as their body requires specific sensory input to reach more optimal arousal state.
- A child avoiding sensory input might become overwhelmed in noisy or brightly lit environments, making it harder to participate due to dysregulation.
By incorporating sensory activities like bouncing, swinging, tactile play, or calming strategies, we help children regulate their bodies and therefore, their emotions. This creates an ideal foundation for learning and practicing communication skills.
Why Play Is So Much More Than Just Fun
Play is a cornerstone of our therapy sessions. It’s through play that we:
- Build trust and connection with each child.
- Observe their communication strengths and challenges in a more authentic way.
- Introduce new communication opportunities, such as requesting, commenting and back and forth interactions.
While our sessions may involve sensory-rich activities like swings, crash mats, or lycra hammocks, every choice we make is considered and intentional. These tools are not just about regulation; they are bridges to meaningful interaction and communication.
How Our Approach Is Unique
At North Shore Occupational Therapy, we’ve designed a unique space equipped with sensory-friendly tools to support children in their communication journey. Our therapy rooms include:
- Swings and climbing structures for movement-based regulation.
- Tactile play materials like rice, water, or shaving cream to engage the senses.
- Quiet or dark spaces for children who need a break from stimulation.
This setup allows us to meet children where they are, ensuring they feel comfortable and ready to learn. Our individualised approach focuses on supporting every child’s unique sensory and communication needs.
Collaborating for Holistic Care
While speech therapy sometimes looks similar to OT, our goals are different. We Speech therapists focus on helping children:
- Express their needs and wants (multimodal communication).
- Build vocabulary and comprehension/understanding.
- Develop social communication skills, such as initiating and maintaining interactions.
By collaborating closely with occupational therapists and other professionals, we ensure that each child receives well-rounded care tailored to their individual developmental needs.
A Team Effort for Success
Sensory in speech therapy is not just about creating a fun environment; it’s about empowering children to communicate effectively and confidently. At North Shore Occupational therapy, we’re proud to offer a space where sensory needs are understood and supported, making every interaction meaningful and every milestone achievable