Steam roller is a great deep pressure activity to assist children to regulate. Deep pressure has been found to impact the autonomic nervous system which regulates the heart beat, breath and other organs. Every child has their own preferences for deep pressure so it is important to listen to your child’s needs throughout. Ask your child to lay on their back on the floor. Use an exercise ball and place on their legs. Keeping in mind the safety of your back, use firm but gentle pressure on the ball over the child’s legs and arms. Do not press down on the ball when it is rolling over the child’s stomach or chest. This exercises can also be done with the child laying on their stomach. Continue to press and roll around the body until the child is ready to stop.
