INTRODUCTION

Self Stimulating Sensory Seeking is something you do if something feels good and it’s only natural that you would seek out the same again. It’s a taboo subject but it shouldn’t be. If something feels good it’s only natural that you would seek out the same again.

Whether we have sensory difficulties or not we all explore our bodies. It is a natural part of life and it is perfectly normal!

As a parent, you automatically freak out when you see this kind of sensory behaviour. Please don’t, for those with young children it is not sexual for those with teens it is perfectly normal.

If someone has sensory processing difficulties it is important to be able to self regulate.

I have helped many people to either redirect or learn when and where is an appropriate time for this. So if you’re a worried parent here’s my advice on how to handle things.

Don’t forget self stimulating sensory seeking is something we do if something feels good and it’s only natural that you would seek out the same again

1. Do not stress self stimulating sensory seeking is something we do if something feels good and it’s only natural

You’re not alone and there is nothing wrong with this behaviour.  If you get stressed your children will pick up on this and it may cause them to think the behaviour is bad.  Which it is not, the behaviour is NATURAL. It is an important part of self regulating.

2. Teach Privacy & Personal Space

We need to teach our children that touching is okay, it’s a way to self regulate but we need to do it in private and don’t invade others personal space.  It’s along the same lines of our children always wanting to be naked – it’s fine in their own room but maybe not in the family room (especially when getting older with siblings etc).

3. Social Stories

Use Social Stories, there is nothing better than a visual to help your child understand. Living Well have some great Social Stories on appropriate behaviours including feelings, personal space and masturbation.

You can download them here

4. Redirecting Sensory Seeking And Self Regulating

You can try redirecting sensory seeking to something else like a fidget toy or vibrating cushion or move them away to a more physical activity. The feedback they get from the redirection needs to feel better than what they were doing or they will want to go back to it.  Just persevere it can take time but redirection does work.

Conclusion

Self Stimulating Sensory Seeking is something we do if something feels good and it’s only natural that you would seek out the same again. Sensory seeking is something we do when we are under stimulated and we seek out extra sensory stimuli. It is important to keep sensory seekers stimulated so providing a sensory area full of exciting toys and fidgets can be a great idea.

For more help and advice you can join our sensory support group on Facebook

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