Bear Hugs and Bone Crushers - Sensory Seekers

Bear Hugs and Bone Crushers

     Asking for a hug from my nephew is like asking to hug a cactus. He gets tense and turns away, while whoever is wanting the hug does all the work. Maybe you have one of those in your family as well.

     One day while he was struggling with his math home work I just reached around him and gave him a big bear hug. I expected him to turn and pull away but he didn't. I also didn't expect him to say, “Do it some more.”  We continued the hugs until we had "squeezed out all the frustrations."  The result was a less frustrated little boy who could complete his homework.

     That was when I discovered that bear hugs work. Having a sensory processing disorder, my nephew is very active, likes to jump, hammer nails, run, and roll around on the ground. Because of his past evasiveness to hugs, I hadn't put together that he needed deep pressure touch rather than light touch.

     It is not uncommon for children with a tactile sensory seeking processing disorder to calm down with a bear hug. Usually children with this disorder have a hard time sitting still, keeping themselves from touching things, doing things that could be considered dangerous, and focusing on idle activities such as homework, among other things.

     A light touch could actually do the opposite of what they are needing. Stimulating and teasing their nerves, such a touch could send them reeling with frustration and seeking to get away. On the other hand, the deep pressure of bear hugs, chewing gum, jumping, etc., satisfys that need they are seeking for.

     There are various types of sensory processing disorders and bear hugs won't work for most of them. If you suspect your child has a sensory processing disorder, consider discussing it with your pediatrician at your next visit. You could also get a lot of help from an occupational therapist.

      For sensory seekers, consider bear hugs, chewing gum, and a slew of other gross motor type activities. Once you find the thing that works best with your child you will find that they calm down, listen better, and can focus more on the activities that they have to deal with.

     I call them bear hugs - he calls them bone crushers.  Whatever you want to nickname your niche, just make it fun and watch the transformation.  Good Luck and Have Fun with your kids.