What is Tools For Infants?Tools for Infants is a user-friendly guide filled with sensory-based strategies to help promote optimal development in infants. The sensory-based strategies or “tools” in this book are designed to help infants feel “sensory-safe” in their daily activities and routines.
Tools for Infants is based on Sensory Integration (SI) theory, and is not designed for a specific medical diagnostic classification. However, sensory processing challenges may co-exist with many diagnoses such as pre-maturity, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Autism. Your infant may be typically developing, considered at risk for developmental and/or engagement challenges, or have a medical diagnosis. In any case, these sensory tools aim to promote optimal development in all infants. These tools are designed to be used at home, in center-based facilities, day-care, and community settings by parents, caregivers, and early intervention personnel. For older babies and preschoolers, please refer to the book Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Henry, Kane-Wineland, & Swindeman, 2007). |
What can Tools for Infants do for you?Sensory input from sights, sounds, touch, smell, taste, movement, changes in gravity, and muscle activity has an enormous impact on the developing infant (Lewkowicz, 2011). Some infants’ nervous systems have difficulty processing some of these sensory experiences and they may need some assistance dealing with them.
For example, some infants love a variety of movement, touch, muscle input, sound and visual exploration of faces and objects. Others may need more time to adjust to certain sensations and/or need predictable and familiar sensory input, provided in a routine fashion. Still other infants shift from being sensitive to craving sensory input. User-friendly materials in Tools for Infants include strategies to address will help you to address challenges such as ‘Simply Sucking, Early Engagement, Sluggish Sweeties, Tummy Time, Fussy Firecrackers, Nighty Night’ and more. Keep in mind that the sensory-based strategies in this book are meant to supplement and enhance, not to replace direct therapy, which may be needed in some instances. For more information, consult with a pediatric occupational therapist (OT) who has expertise in sensory integration (SI). |
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