Creating Harmony for Children with Sensory Processing Differences
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and accurately responding to information that comes in through the senses. For a child with SPD, the world can feel incredibly overwhelming; the hum of a refrigerator might sound like a jet engine, a gentle touch might feel like sandpaper, or conversely, they might constantly seek out intense movement and deep pressure just to feel grounded. These varying states of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity profoundly affect a child's ability to learn, socialize, and simply be at peace. At Bloom, we deeply understand the delicate balance required to navigate sensory needs. Our AI-powered platform is uniquely equipped to help parents create highly effective, personalized 'sensory diets' for their children. By utilizing real-time observation, Bloom's AI can identify behavioral triggers—noticing when a child is escalating toward sensory overload or when they are becoming lethargic and under-stimulated. It immediately provides evidence-based recommendations, such as proprioceptive heavy-work activities or calming vestibular swings, tailored precisely to the child's immediate state. Through continuous tracking and AI-driven deep analysis of sensory preferences, Bloom empowers families to transform their environments, turning everyday chaos into structured, calming, and deeply supportive spaces where the child can thrive and comfortably engage with the world.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition where the brain struggles to interpret and respond to sensory input accurately. Because it presents differently in every child, a deep understanding of the individual sensory profile is required. Some children may struggle significantly with hypersensitivity, finding normal lights, sounds, or textures painfully overwhelming. Others might experience hyposensitivity, causing them to constantly seek intense sensory input like spinning, crashing, or chewing on objects. It is essential to recognize that these are not behavioral acts of defiance, but neurological attempts to regulate the nervous system. By approaching SPD with empathy, patience, and the right sensory tools, parents can help their child achieve a state of calm alertness, uncovering their true potential without the barrier of sensory distress.
Early Signs to Watch
Identifying sensory processing challenges early can profoundly impact a child's daily life by allowing families to introduce supportive accommodations when they are most needed. While all children have preferences, common early signs of SPD usually become apparent during the toddler and preschool years. Parents might notice extreme aversions to certain clothing tags, panic during hair brushing or nail clipping, or an intense fear of unexpected noises like vacuums or sirens. Conversely, a child might exhibit a high pain tolerance, constantly bump into furniture, or be unable to sit still without craving intense movement. If these sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding patterns persist and begin to severely interfere with daily activities, eating, or sleeping, it is highly advisable to consult with a pediatric occupational therapist for a comprehensive evaluation.
How Bloom Helps
Bloom acts as a revolutionary bridge between professional occupational therapy and everyday home life, offering an AI-powered assistant that deeply understands your child's specific sensory profile. Instead of relying on generalized advice, Bloom utilizes secure camera observation to analyze your child's physical movements and emotional state. It then dynamically recommends the most effective sensory interventions for that precise moment—whether it's a calming deep-pressure activity during a meltdown or an alerting vestibular game when they are unengaged. Bloom curates a highly personalized learning profile by searching the latest global research, providing you with actionable, step-by-step guidance to implement a daily sensory diet. Parents receive visual demonstrations and continuous progress tracking, empowering them to confidently apply therapeutic techniques at home and maintain their child's optimal regulation level.
Evidence-Based Methods
Bloom implements the most rigorous evidence-based sensory interventions, anchored in the 2025 systematic review of randomized controlled trials by Acuña, Gallegos-Berrios, Barfoot, Meredith & Hill. This landmark review confirmed that Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI), delivered with strict adherence to the Fidelity Measure™, is effective for achieving individualized occupational performance goals. Bloom ensures all sensory recommendations follow ASI fidelity principles. Groundbreaking research from UCSF by Dr. Elysa Marco and Dr. Pratik Mukherjee identifying quantifiable brain structure differences in children with SPD validates the biological basis informing Bloom's approach. The platform leverages 2024 research on individualized sensory diets showing improvements in fine motor skills and self-care when compliance exceeds 75%. Bloom integrates five distinct sensory phenotype classifications (Stevenson & Scheerer, 2024) to match interventions precisely to each child's neurological profile — from taste/smell sensitivity to under-responsiveness and movement difficulties. Proprioceptive heavy-work protocols and vestibular stimulation strategies are tailored using real-time observation data.
AI-Powered Features for SPD
Bloom's AI capabilities fundamentally transform how support for sensory needs is delivered by providing a truly adaptive toolkit. The AI Deep Analysis continuously refines the child's sensory profile, explicitly mapping out their unique triggers and soothing mechanisms to generate a holistic daily plan. For families navigating chaotic moments, Bloom's AI Auto-Diagnosis insights act as a supportive guide to identify suspected sensory patterns using standardized observational criteria. Furthermore, Bloom generates customized activities—ranging from tactile play ideas to calming environmental modifications—and provides an AI Progress Analysis that visually tracks the frequency and duration of sensory meltdowns over time, offering a comprehensive, data-driven perspective on the effectiveness of the implemented sensory diet.
Getting Started
Embarking on a supportive journey with Bloom is intentionally designed to be seamless, intuitive, and entirely stress-free for busy parents managing SPD. The first step is to create a secure, E2E encrypted profile for your child, detailing their specific sensory avoidances and seeking behaviors. From there, you can immediately leverage the AI observation tools or explore the tailored sensory activities generated specifically for your child's unique nervous system. Importantly, Bloom does not require a formal medical diagnosis to begin providing immense value; its observational AI will skillfully guide you in accommodating sensory needs regardless of where you are in the diagnostic process. With its warm, calming interface and generous free tier, Bloom invites families to experience a new paradigm of neurodevelopmental support.
Therapeutic Approaches
Visual guide to common interventions and practices.
Sensory Activities
Sensory integration play
Calming Strategies
Deep pressure and regulation
Proprioceptive Input
Heavy work activities
84-Day Sensory Processing Program
Sense & Balance: Sensory Integration & Self-Regulation Program
Program End Goals
- Tolerate 5+ previously-avoided sensory experiences
- Identify arousal level and select appropriate strategy
- Participate in daily routines with 50% fewer meltdowns
- Demonstrate improved motor planning in complex tasks
- Attend 10+ minutes in a structured sensory environment
- Try 3+ new foods using the SOS Feeding approach
- Implement sensory diet independently
- Use interoception to recognize 3+ body signals
- Independently advocate for sensory accommodations in public
- Generalize regulation strategies across 3+ novel environments
Phase 1: Foundation
- Establish baseline sensory profile
- Improve rotary and linear tolerance
- Introduce Zones of Regulation
- Generalize skills to community and school
Advancement Criteria
- Tolerates basic brushing/compressions
- Identifies Red/Yellow/Green/Blue zones
Phase 1 - Day 1
ASI Proprioceptive Input
Heavy Work Activities
Welcome to this guide on Heavy Work Activities. 15 proprioceptive activities for regulation.
Setup: Soft mat space.
Positioning: Facing child.
Execution: Provide deep pressure pushes against hands.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Provide more resistance if sought.
Correction: If struggling, Reduce pressure.
Data Collection: Log pressure preference.
"Push hard!"
Seeking vs. avoiding behavior.
Ensure joint safety.
ASI Tactile Baseline
Setup: Table with sensory bin.
Positioning: Side-by-side.
Execution: Introduce dry textures like rice.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Praise exploration.
Correction: If struggling, Offer a tool to touch it.
Data Collection: Track texture tolerance.
"Let's touch."
Tactile defensiveness.
Let the child initiate touch.
ASI Vestibular Baseline
Vestibular Activities
Welcome to this guide on Vestibular Activities. Linear vs rotary movement, alerting and calming.
Setup: Suspended swing.
Positioning: Next to child.
Execution: Provide slow linear swinging.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 10 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Maintain slow rhythm.
Correction: If struggling, Stop immediately and ground.
Data Collection: Log swing duration.
"Time to swing."
Dizziness or fear of movement.
Keep feet near ground initially.
Sensory Diet Morning Routine
Sensory Diet
Welcome to this guide on Sensory Diet. Daily schedule of alerting and calming activities.
Setup: Bedroom.
Positioning: Face-to-face.
Execution: Do 10 joint compressions before getting up.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Proceed to dressing.
Correction: If struggling, Offer deep pressure hug instead.
Data Collection: Track morning transition time.
"Wake up muscles."
Arousal level.
Keep it consistent.
Sensory Diet Evening Routine
Sensory Diet
Welcome to this guide on Sensory Diet. Daily schedule of alerting and calming activities.
Setup: Living room.
Positioning: Side-by-side.
Execution: Push a heavy laundry basket.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Proceed to bath.
Correction: If struggling, Try a weighted blanket.
Data Collection: Note time to sleep.
"Time to calm."
Reduction in energy.
Use heavy work to calm.
DPPT Brushing Protocol Arms
Setup: Quiet room.
Positioning: Behind or beside.
Execution: Brush arms firmly avoiding joints.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Proceed to legs.
Correction: If struggling, Stop if child resists.
Data Collection: Track brushing tolerance.
"Brush brush."
Calming response.
Use official surgical brush.
DPPT Brushing Protocol Legs
Setup: Quiet room.
Positioning: Beside child.
Execution: Brush legs firmly avoiding knees.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Proceed to back.
Correction: If struggling, Adjust pressure.
Data Collection: Track brushing tolerance.
"Now the legs."
Relaxation.
Firm consistent strokes.
DPPT Joint Compressions
Setup: Quiet room.
Positioning: Facing child.
Execution: Apply compressions to shoulders and arms.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Finish routine.
Correction: If struggling, Reduce force.
Data Collection: Log compression completion.
"Squeeze."
Proprioceptive grounding.
10 quick pulses per joint.
Alert Program Engine Check
Setup: Table.
Positioning: Side-by-side.
Execution: Ask if engine is fast, slow, or just right.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Validate their feeling.
Correction: If struggling, Model your own engine speed.
Data Collection: Track engine vocabulary.
"How is your engine?"
Understanding arousal.
Use visual speedometer.
Alert Program Changing Gears
Setup: Play area.
Positioning: Face-to-face.
Execution: Offer a heavy work task for a fast engine.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Praise regulation.
Correction: If struggling, Offer a different choice.
Data Collection: Track strategy effectiveness.
"Let's slow down."
Applying a strategy.
Match strategy to engine.
Deep Pressure Therapy
Deep Pressure Techniques
Welcome to this guide on Deep Pressure Techniques. Weighted blankets, compression garments, joint compressions.
Setup: Couch/Bed.
Positioning: Nearby.
Execution: Provide weighted blanket or lap pad.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Leave on if child is calming.
Correction: If struggling, Remove immediately if restless.
Data Collection: Log duration of use.
"Snuggle time."
Parasympathetic activation.
Max 10% body weight.
Deep Pressure Bear Hugs
Deep Pressure Techniques
Welcome to this guide on Deep Pressure Techniques. Weighted blankets, compression garments, joint compressions.
Setup: Anywhere.
Positioning: Face-to-face.
Execution: Give a firm, sustained bear hug.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Hold until child relaxes.
Correction: If struggling, Release if child tenses.
Data Collection: Track request for hugs.
"Big squeeze!"
Seeking deep input.
Ask permission first.
Heavy Work Pushing
Heavy Work Activities
Welcome to this guide on Heavy Work Activities. 15 proprioceptive activities for regulation.
Setup: Wall.
Positioning: Beside child.
Execution: Have child do 10 wall push-ups.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Praise effort.
Correction: If struggling, Offer pushing a heavy box instead.
Data Collection: Log heavy work completion.
"Push the wall."
Organizing effect.
Use wall push-ups.
Heavy Work Pulling
Heavy Work Activities
Welcome to this guide on Heavy Work Activities. 15 proprioceptive activities for regulation.
Setup: Open floor.
Positioning: Facing child.
Execution: Play gentle tug of war with a towel.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Let them win sometimes.
Correction: If struggling, Reduce pull strength.
Data Collection: Track engagement time.
"Tug of war!"
Joint traction.
Keep it playful.
Heavy Work Carrying
Heavy Work Activities
Welcome to this guide on Heavy Work Activities. 15 proprioceptive activities for regulation.
Setup: House.
Positioning: Following child.
Execution: Ask child to carry a heavy basket.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Thank them for helping.
Correction: If struggling, Lighten the load.
Data Collection: Log weight tolerated.
"Carry these."
Functional heavy work.
Use groceries or books.
Environmental Modifications Lights
Setup: Classroom/Home.
Positioning: N/A.
Execution: Dim overhead lights, use soft lamps.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Observe engagement.
Correction: If struggling, Adjust brightness.
Data Collection: Track visual attention.
"Let's make it cozy."
Visual relaxation.
Use natural light or dimmers.
Environmental Modifications Noise
Setup: Noisy environment.
Positioning: N/A.
Execution: Provide headphones during loud tasks.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Child wears them calmly.
Correction: If struggling, Offer a quieter room.
Data Collection: Log headphone usage.
"Quiet time."
Auditory calming.
Have noise-canceling headphones ready.
Environmental Modifications Space
Setup: Corner of room.
Positioning: N/A.
Execution: Set up a dark, quiet tent with pillows.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Allow child to stay as long as needed.
Correction: If struggling, Add a weighted blanket.
Data Collection: Track tent usage.
"Your safe tent."
Providing a sensory retreat.
Use a pop-up tent.
Interoception Heartbeat
Interoception Training
Welcome to this guide on Interoception Training. Teaching hunger, pain, temperature, bathroom signals.
Setup: Floor.
Positioning: Side-by-side.
Execution: Have child run in place, then feel chest.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Discuss how fast it beats.
Correction: If struggling, Help find pulse on wrist.
Data Collection: Log heartbeat awareness.
"Feel your heart."
Recognizing internal states.
Do after physical activity.
Interoception Breathing
Interoception Training
Welcome to this guide on Interoception Training. Teaching hunger, pain, temperature, bathroom signals.
Setup: Lying on floor.
Positioning: Beside child.
Execution: Watch the toy go up and down.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Praise deep breaths.
Correction: If struggling, Model exaggerated breathing.
Data Collection: Track breathing regulation.
"Breathe big."
Noticing lung expansion.
Use a stuffed animal on the belly.
Interoception Muscle Tension
Interoception Training
Welcome to this guide on Interoception Training. Teaching hunger, pain, temperature, bathroom signals.
Setup: Chair.
Positioning: Facing child.
Execution: Squeeze fists tight, then let go.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Discuss the 'loose' feeling.
Correction: If struggling, Help them squeeze a ball.
Data Collection: Log tension awareness.
"Squeeze like a lemon."
Noticing tight vs loose.
Progressive muscle relaxation.
ASI Safe Swinging
Vestibular Activities
Welcome to this guide on Vestibular Activities. Linear vs rotary movement, alerting and calming.
Setup: Suspended swing.
Positioning: Next to child.
Execution: Swing back and forth while child prone.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 10 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Encourage reaching for targets.
Correction: If struggling, Slow the swing down.
Data Collection: Track prone extension time.
"Hold on."
Core activation.
Use a bolster or platform swing.
ASI Tactile Bin Hide and Seek
Setup: Table.
Positioning: Side-by-side.
Execution: Hide a toy in beans, ask child to find it.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 10 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Cheer when found.
Correction: If struggling, Leave toy partially visible.
Data Collection: Log items found.
"Find the toy."
Tactile discrimination.
Hide preferred small items.
Sensory Diet Transition Prep
Sensory Diet
Welcome to this guide on Sensory Diet. Daily schedule of alerting and calming activities.
Setup: Current activity.
Positioning: Nearby.
Execution: Give joint compressions 2 mins before transition.
Wait Period: Wait exactly N/A to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Transition smoothly.
Correction: If struggling, Use a visual timer.
Data Collection: Track transition meltdowns.
"In 5 minutes..."
Reducing transition anxiety.
Provide proprioceptive input before moving.
Alert Program Body Check
Setup: Anywhere.
Positioning: Face-to-face.
Execution: Prompt a quick body/engine check.
Wait Period: Wait exactly 5 seconds to allow processing time.
Success Criteria: If successful, Acknowledge their state.
Correction: If struggling, Offer a visual chart.
Data Collection: Log self-check accuracy.
"How does your body feel?"
Self-monitoring.
Do this at routine intervals.
Evidence-Based Techniques
A structured library of researched interventions and therapeutic strategies.
Sensory Diet
Daily schedule of alerting and calming activities; 2024 study shows high compliance (75-100%) improves fine motor and self-care
Heavy Work Activities
15 proprioceptive activities for regulation; 2025 caregiver training evidence shows improved sensory processing
Proprioceptive Input
Joint compressions, weighted vests, resistance bands
Vestibular Activities
Linear vs rotary movement, alerting and calming
Tactile Desensitization
DPPT brushing protocol, texture hierarchy progression; 2025 Frontiers in Pediatrics review findings
Creating a Calm-Down Corner
Items, location, visual steps, teaching procedure
Deep Pressure Techniques
Weighted blankets, compression garments; 2025 Frontiers in Pediatrics review finds strong evidence for deep pressure tactile input
Oral Sensory Strategies
Chewelry, crunchy vs chewy foods, vibrating tools
Visual & Auditory Management
Sunglasses, noise-cancelling, gradual exposure
Sensory-Friendly Home Setup
Room-by-room modifications; 2025 review found lack of evidence for sensory environmental modifications alone
Interoception Training
Teaching body signals; 2025 Frontiers in Psychiatry systematic review of 31 studies notes inconsistent results but growing clinical interest
Sensory Integration Therapy
2025 AJOT review of 9 RCTs shows improvements in self-care, communication, social, play, and motor skills
Self-Regulation for Seekers
Identifying seeking vs avoiding, safe alternatives
Ayres Sensory Integration
Schaaf & Auld-Wright 2024 CLASI research brief summarizing 8 RCTs with consistent improvements in individualized goals and socialization
Sensory Modulation vs Discrimination
3 types of modulation disorder vs discrimination
Astronaut Training Protocol
Vestibular-visual-auditory integration protocol
Sensory Circuits
3-phase: alerting, organizing, calming movement
Sensory Room Design
Evidence-based home sensory room/corner setup
Interoception Curriculum
8 body signals; 2026 scoping review protocol on pediatric OT interoception use
Praxis & Motor Planning
Ideation-planning-execution obstacle courses
Bilateral Coordination
Symmetrical, reciprocal, asymmetrical both-sides activities
Handwriting Without Tears
Multisensory letter formation, pencil grip development
Sensory Stories
Social narratives for sensory challenges preparation
Tele-Occupational Therapy
2025 RCT shows both in-person and telehealth sensory diet delivery are effective for improving sensory processing and social competency in ASD children
Bloom Original Training Videos
Comprehensive, step-by-step video guides created specifically for your child's needs.
Sensory Diet
Daily schedule of alerting and calming activities
Sensory Diet
Heavy Work Activities
15 proprioceptive activities for regulation
Heavy Work Activities
Proprioceptive Input
Joint compressions, weighted vests, resistance bands
Proprioceptive Input
Vestibular Activities
Linear vs rotary movement, alerting and calming
Vestibular Activities
Tactile Desensitization
DPPT brushing protocol, texture hierarchy progression
Tactile Desensitization
Creating a Calm-Down Corner
Items, location, visual steps, teaching procedure
Creating a Calm-Down Corner
Deep Pressure Techniques
Weighted blankets, compression garments, joint compressions
Deep Pressure Techniques
Oral Sensory Strategies
Chewelry, crunchy vs chewy foods, vibrating tools
Oral Sensory Strategies
Visual & Auditory Management
Sunglasses, noise-cancelling, gradual exposure
Visual & Auditory Management
Sensory-Friendly Home Setup
Room-by-room modifications, lighting, flooring
Sensory-Friendly Home Setup
Interoception Training
Teaching hunger, pain, temperature, bathroom signals
Interoception Training
Sensory Integration Therapy
Obstacle courses, ball pits, therapy swings (Ayres SI)
Sensory Integration Therapy
Self-Regulation for Seekers
Identifying seeking vs avoiding, safe alternatives
Self-Regulation for Seekers
Ayres Sensory Integration
Just-right challenge, adaptive response, ASI fidelity
Ayres Sensory Integration
Sensory Modulation vs Discrimination
3 types of modulation disorder vs discrimination
Sensory Modulation vs Discrimination
Astronaut Training Protocol
Vestibular-visual-auditory integration protocol
Astronaut Training Protocol
Sensory Circuits
3-phase: alerting, organizing, calming movement
Sensory Circuits
Sensory Room Design
Evidence-based home sensory room/corner setup
Sensory Room Design
Interoception Curriculum
8 body signals: notice, name, connect, act
Interoception Curriculum
Praxis & Motor Planning
Ideation-planning-execution obstacle courses
Praxis & Motor Planning
Bilateral Coordination
Symmetrical, reciprocal, asymmetrical both-sides activities
Bilateral Coordination
Handwriting Without Tears
Multisensory letter formation, pencil grip development
Handwriting Without Tears
Sensory Stories
Social narratives for sensory challenges preparation
Sensory Stories
Latest Research & Techniques
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