Why Proprioception Is Important for Your Child’s Regulation

If your child seems constantly on the move, seeks big hugs or rough play, or has a hard time calming their body to focus or rest, proprioception may play an important role. Proprioceptive input helps children understand where their bodies are in space and can support regulation, attention, and calming throughout the day.

My name is Poonam. I’m an occupational therapist at Joy and Laughter Developmental Therapy. Today, we’re going to talk about why proprioception matters and how it’s important for regulation and attention.

What Is Proprioception?

Proprioception is how our brain and body know where we are in space. It’s our body awareness and awareness of our joints.

For example, right now I’m sitting in a chair. My body knows I’m sitting and not standing. My hands are on my knees, my feet are on the floor, and I’m not falling, so my body is in a relaxed posture.

If the chair were rocking and I felt like I might lose my balance, my attention would shift to making sure I don’t fall. In simple terms, proprioception helps us understand our body position, joint awareness, and how much pressure our body is experiencing.

If I have something on my lap, my body can tell whether it’s light or heavy, whether I can keep it there for a long time, or whether it’s uncomfortable and needs to be moved.

Why Proprioception Matters for Regulation

For many neurodivergent kids, body signals may not be as clear. They may not be aware of how their body is positioned in space or how much pressure their body needs to feel regulated. Because of this, many children seek that pressure.

You might see children running, pushing their chin into your elbow or knees, wanting to squish, asking for hugs, enjoying deep squeezes, or engaging in rough play. These children often have a lot of energy and may struggle to calm down at the end of the day, during school, or when they need to focus on tasks.

The Importance of Individualized Support

There are many activities that can help provide proprioceptive input, but it’s important to work with a qualified professional, such as an occupational therapist, to determine what is appropriate for your child.

Some children may not like deep pressure or may seek proprioceptive input in different ways. An occupational therapist can help identify what strategies are most helpful and safe for your child.

Heavy Work Activities for Proprioceptive Input

One common way to support proprioception is through heavy work activities. These can include:

Doing pushups together
Pushing a laundry basket around the house
Placing toys on a bedsheet and pushing it across the floor
Pulling a wagon filled with toys or books
Wearing a backpack with toys or books (making sure it is not too heavy)

It’s important to ensure the weight is appropriate and not causing slouching or strain on the shoulders.

Movement-Based Proprioceptive Activities

Other calming activities can include setting a timer and allowing your child to jump for two to three minutes. Jumping can be done on the floor or outside in the backyard.

Jumping on beds or couches is not recommended due to the risk of injury. If using a trampoline, it’s best to have one with a holding support. In therapy settings like our clinic, trampoline use is closely monitored by a therapist to reduce injury risk.

Additional activities include wall pushups, climbing on rope ladders or stationary ladders, pillow fights, and other forms of rough play that provide deep pressure input.

Oral Proprioceptive Input

Some children may grind their teeth, want to chew on objects, or press their chin against surfaces to seek deep pressure around the jaw.

In these cases, options may include chewable tools or crunchy foods such as celery sticks, carrot sticks, chewy snacks, or chewing gum, depending on age and safety considerations.

Using Weight and Compression Safely

Additional proprioceptive input can be provided through weighted or compression tools for short periods of time. A weighted lap blanket can be placed on a child’s lap or legs to help calm the body during seated activities. Children often show whether they like the input by keeping it on or removing it. (Note: weighted blankets are not recommended for sleeping.)

Weighted vests are sometimes used, typically at about one-fourth of a child’s body weight. For example, a 40-pound child might use a 4-pound vest, starting with lower weight and increasing gradually under professional guidance.

Weighted vests are usually worn for about 30 minutes and may be used during school or while working on activities that require focus. Because children are growing and their growth plates are developing, weighted tools should not be worn for extended periods.

Again, I don’t expect you to just go and buy a weighted vest because not all kids may like it. They will refuse to wear it. They may throw it away. You want to try it under the supervision of an occupational therapist to see if they like it and if it’s helping them.

Additional Deep Pressure Strategies

Compression vests provide deep pressure similar to a firm hug, without added weight, and can also support calming. Deep pressure activities should be brief and intentional.

Other strategies may include gentle joint pressure around the wrists, elbows, or shoulders, as well as guided joint massage. These techniques should always be demonstrated and guided by an occupational therapist to avoid injury.

Therapy balls may also be used. A child may lie on their stomach while gentle pressure is applied, or they may sit and bounce lightly or rock side to side. These activities should be done carefully and not immediately after meals.

Squish play is another way to provide deep pressure in a fun, controlled way. This may include:

Using a weighted blanket briefly on the legs or lower body
Wrapping a child in a weighted blanket for a short “blanket burrito”
Creating a “pillow sandwich” with gentle pressure between two pillows

Reach Out for Expert Support

Every child’s sensory needs are different. An occupational therapist can help identify which proprioceptive strategies are appropriate and how to use them safely.

If you notice signs that your child is seeking deep pressure or struggling with regulation, feel free to reach out to our team. And subscribe to our YouTube channel for more helpful videos from our therapy team on supporting your child’s development.

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How Touching, Moving, and Exploring Help Your Child Learn to Play

Schedule an Evaluation with Our Experts Today

Ready to get started? Our expert pediatric therapists are ready to help your child overcome their challenges so they can experience life full of joy and laughter. All you have to do is reach out, and we’ll get started with play-based therapy that works.

Give us a call at (408) 337-2727 or fill out the contact form below to schedule an evaluation with our team, and let’s make childhood fun again!

Ms. Annette
Speech and Language Pathology

Annette’s journey toward becoming a speech-language pathologist began when her mother survived brain cancer for the first time. Watching her mother relearn how to speak—and attending many of her therapy sessions—deeply inspired her and sparked a genuine fascination with the field. At the time, Annette had recently graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was searching for the next direction in her career. After her mother later passed away following a second battle with brain cancer, Annette chose to pursue a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in her honor. Her mother’s strength, determination, and journey with communication rehabilitation continue to guide and motivate Annette’s work today.

With over 16 years of experience as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Annette has dedicated her career to helping children and adolescents find their voice, build confidence, and develop the communication skills they need to thrive. Her passion has always been working with neurodivergent learners, especially children and teens with autism. In recent years, she has begun integrating her interest in functional medicine to support the overall health of her clients, recognizing its impact on speech and well-being. By addressing root causes, she provides personalized strategies that enhance communication and quality of life through holistic functional medicine practices.

Early in her career, Annette was part of the team that developed ACE—Autism Center for Excellence—an innovative after-school program designed to support autistic adolescents through targeted communication work, social-emotional skill building, and peer-supported engagement. This program quickly became a valued resource for families and helped solidify her long-term commitment to serving children on the spectrum.

Throughout her professional journey, Annette has built a reputation for providing functional, family-centered therapy specializing in expressive and receptive language, social communication, behavior-supported communication, and parent advocacy. Whether working in schools, private practice, or home-based settings, her goal is always to meet each child where they are—by stepping into their world—and helping them grow into their fullest potential. (Fun fact: her parent support group calls her “the kid whisperer.”)

Outside of work, Annette is a proud single mom to her 16-year-old daughter, Lexi, a competitive fastpitch softball pitcher. Lexi’s dedication to the sport has taken them across the country—tournaments in Italy, showcases in Arizona and Texas, and college recruiting events in Montana. Traveling together has strengthened their bond and given Annette a deep appreciation for balance, resilience, and the importance of supporting young athletes as they pursue big dreams.

Today, Annette continues to expand her private practice, MySckool, while advocating for high-quality communication services, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and meaningful family partnerships. Her life’s work is rooted in empowering children—whether through communication, confidence, or opportunity—to succeed in every environment they enter.

Ms. Jennifer
OTR, Founder and Executive Director

Jennifer received her Master’s Degree in occupational therapy from San Jose State University, after double majoring in occupational therapy and psychology for her undergraduate program. Jennifer has been working with special needs children since 2005 both as a therapist and as a respite care worker. She has experience in working with children across the developmental spectrum and from 1-22 years of age. While Autism has been her primary area of practice she also has hands-on experience in working with children with down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Tourette’s, Dyslexia, ADD/ADHA, sensory processing disorders, mental retardation, and other developmental delays.

Outside of work Jennifer enjoys camping, hiking, cake decorating, outdoor adventures, and spending time with her family.

Languages: English, Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL)

Specialty Areas: Autism, Feeding, Swallowing, and Pediatrics Advanced Certifications: Physical Agent Modalities (PAM), Swallowing (SWC), SPD Pro 1 Certification

Certifications & Continuing Education Jennifer has participated in that are often highly sought after by clients and mentees. Handwriting Without Tears (HWT): Is a nationally recognized handwriting program that helps children gain the skills needed for both print and cursive writing. HWT draws from years of experience and research which helps provide developmentally appropriate, multi-sensory tools and strategies to help children learn the skills for handwriting. Children are taught handwriting skills using interactive materials and activities that help promote the skills needed for handwriting. Visit https://www.lwtears.com/ for more information.

Jennifer has received level 1 certification in this program. Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Solutions: A feeding program that incorporates the principles and practices from multiple disciplines including psychology, pediatrics, occupational therapy, dietetics, and speech-language pathology. The SOS program incorporates sensory, motor, oral, behavioral, learning, medical, and nutritional factors to create a comprehensive program for each child. The SOS program has over 20 years of success for helping infants, children and adolescents learn to eat. For more information visit https://sosapproachtofeeding.com/sos-certification/.

Jennifer has taken beginning and advanced course work in this approach.SCERTS Model: The SCERTS model is a research-based multidisciplinary framework that helps to address many of the problems faced by a person with ASD. The SCERTS model aims to build a child’s skills in “Social Communication”, Emotional Regulation”, and “Transactional Support”. The SCERTS model aims to help children learn and spontaneously react in a variety of settings. To learn more visit their website. The Son-Rise Program for Autism: The Son-Rise program teaches a specific and comprehensive system of autism treatment and education designed to help families and caregivers enable their children to dramatically improve in all areas of learning, development, communication, and skill acquisition. For more information visit https://autismtreatmentcenter.org/.

Jennifer learned this program second hand while providing intensive intervention with a child who’s family received specific training from the options institute.Zones of Regulation Curriculum: The Zones curriculum uses a cognitive-behavioral approach to teach children to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, by managing their sensory needs and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts and share. For more information visit their website at http://www.zonesofregulation.com/learn-more-about-the-zones.html. Jennifer has received first-hand training on this approach by the therapist who developed the curriculum.

Integrated Listening Systems: The iLs system helps to train body/brain integration through a staged approach, starting with the fundamentals of sensory integration and extending through more complex cognitive functions. The iLs program is based on “neuroplasticity” and the fact that the neuronal connections can be improved. For more information on this program visit https://integratedlistening.com/. Jennifer has received certification in the use of iLs for home and clinic use.

STAR Model: The STAR Institue for sensory processing disorders provides treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents and adults with SPD. The STAR Institue provides clinicians with a unique opportunity to receive ongoing education to develop advanced clinical reasoning and treatment skills for individuals with sensory processing.

VitalStim: VitalStim is the only FDA-cleared treatment for NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation) treatment for dysphagia. This modality is specifically designed to improve the mechanisms of the swallow. Visit https://www.ciaoseminars.com/home/vitalstim/ for more information. Jennifer is certified to provide treatment using the VitalStim+ system.”

Ms. Shivali
Physical Therapist

Shivali’s journey with kids began over 15 years ago, where she’s been fortunate to witness their incredible growth as a Physical Therapist. After graduating in 2009, she established her own practice in India, nurturing a deep understanding of individual needs and fostering a supportive environment.

Relocating to Virginia in 2013, Shivali embraced new challenges. She thrived in an outpatient Functional Movement based setting, collaborating with Speech, Occupational, Developmental therapists as well as movement aides and assistants to provide a holistic approach to her therapeutic interventions. Her passion for supporting families flourished as an Early Interventionist for Fairfax County, where she valued the importance of natural environments, parental participation and individualized care to support children and their families meet their functional goals. She worked as an Assistive Technology manager to handle all the therapeutic equipment for the county therapists and patients. Shivali brings a wealth of experience to her practice, having dedicated her career to supporting children from infancy through young adulthood. She has a deep understanding of diverse developmental needs, including those facing children with Delayed milestones, Torticollis, Down syndrome, Plagiocephaly, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, ADD, Muscular Dystrophies, Cerebral Palsyand genetic abnormalities. Her approach is multi-faceted, drawing from a range of evidence-based therapies such as Total Motion Release, DIR Floortime, Kinesio Taping, Learning Without Tears to name a few to create personalized treatment plans that foster each child’s unique growth and development.

The summer of 2022 brought the family to sunny California, where Shivali currently dedicates her expertise to supporting children within a school district and with Joy and Laughter.

Beyond the clinic, Shivali cherishes her role as a mother to two vibrant daughters. Together with her husband, they embrace adventures, exploring new parks and hiking trails. A culinary enthusiast, Shivali delights in creating healthy and exciting meals for her family. And for a touch of self-care, she enjoys crafting her own skincare products for her family and friends!
Shivali is thrilled to bring her passion, experience and playful spirit for pediatric therapy to JLD, empowering children to reach their full potential.

Ms. Jennifer
Speech Language Pathologist, Feeding Specialist

Since earning her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arizona Jennifer has specialized in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders; working in hospitals, clinics and home health settings. For over 10 years she has been evaluating and treating children, newborns to adolescents, with a variety of disorders including, premature birth, autism spectrum disorders, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, tongue and tip tie, cleft lip and palate, organ transplant recipients and medically fragile children. She has transitioned medically fragile infants and children from tube feedings to oral feedings and advised physicians on feeding tube removals. She has completed training in the “Get Permission Approach to Feeding Therapy”, “Beckman Oral Motor Protocol,” and “Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training.” Additionally, she has specialized training in the underlying medical causes of feeding and swallowing disorders and in assembling and working with an interdisciplinary medical team to address often overlooked medical issues. She conducts training with local medical professionals to provide education on pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. She uses a whole-body approach when assessing and treating feeding and swallowing disorders.

Jennifer is a certified infant massage instructor and utilizes these skills to teach family massage techniques that improve parent-child attachment, muscle activation, and digestion. She also enjoys and has experience in providing pediatric speech and language evaluations and therapy to children with a variety of special needs including those who have a tracheostomy tube, are medically fragile, born premature, have developmental delays, autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cognitive disabilities, chromosome abnormalities, drug exposure, tongue thrust, etc. Jennifer has advanced proficiency in American Sign Language and has employed this skill to improve the communication within D/deaf and hard of hearing families and hearing families who want to use a total communication approach. She is TOTS certified as well.

Jennifer and her husband have three young children. They all love riding bikes, hiking, and exploring California together. She is scuba certified and loves traveling back home to Florida to dive in the warm water.