Trampoline and sensory seeking behaviour? | ADHD Information

I don't have a large trampoline. I have one of those small ones that are about 6 inches off the ground. My son has Sensory processing disorder and ADHD among other things. It helps him to become calmer and more focused. The OT suggested he do some physical activities before doing things that require him to be focused. Jumping on the trampoline, moving heavy objects, etc. If your son is like mine he will love the large trampoline. Whenever we visit some one who has one I can hardly get him off of it.

Your child is also still very young. I don't think he realizes the danger in what he is doing. My son was like that at that age also. Always climbing and jumping off everything. I used to say his guardian angels must work overtime with him. I used to describe my son as a pinball in a pinball machine. Always bumping into something and going until he crashed into something else.

When my ADHD child was younger, he also had sensory integration issues (sensory seeking).  He outgrew it around age 4.  Anyway, I used a mini trampoline (one meant for joggers).  The OT told me that the jumps had to be purposeful for it to be helpful.  In other words, he couldn't be jumping and paying no attention to what his body was doing.  Instead, he had to focus on counting out 10 jumps, playing Simon Says while doing it (I'd tell him to pat his nose, tap his tummy five times, do a knee tuck), or focus on touching an object that I'd hold over his head (like a helium balloon that I'd keep moving higher). 

Another helpful way to get sensory input when jumping is a hippety-hop (those big balls with a handle, and you sit on it and bounce from one spot to another).  You can set up an obstacle course for your child and have him navigate around it.

I've suggested a lot of things that require adult involvement.  Here's one jumping activity he can do independently and get sensory input.  I used to have him use those cardboard bricks.  He'd start out with one brick, run and jump over it.  Then he'd add a brick, and again run and jump over it.  He'd keep adding cardboard bricks until it got too high for him to jump over.  He loved this activity and would do it again and again.

Hi all, DS is nearly three and is waiting on a psychological assesment for ADHD, he currently sees both Occupational and Speach therapy, DS engages in rather extream jumping behaviour whilst sensory seeking, this behaviour has ben getting worse perodicaly but has not worried me to much untill now, his latest behaviour is launching himself down the stairs from half way up, and jumping off his large garden slide, not only down the step side but right over the slide chute he has me terified both of these paticular behaviours are verry dangerious and not limited to home, while at a large playground near a local lake he climed to the top of a 3,1/2 Meter slide and started to climb ofer the side to jump down, we only just stoped him, needles to say he has me terrified, his OT has sugested buying a large trampoline that would help him with his sensory seeking behaviore in a safer way and regulate his energy levels.

does anyone have any experiance of this or any advice,

thank you