SLP & OT: Fall Themed Therapy Ideas for Communication + Sensory Needs
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Fall brings changing colors, crunchy leaves, pumpkins and sensory‑rich experiences. For children with communication and sensory needs, this season is a rich with therapy opportunities, if we plan with intention. When an SLP and OT collaborate around a fall theme, we support the whole child, helping them move, feel, play and communicate at the same time.
Why Fall Themes Work for SLP + OT Collaboration
Themes like “apples,” “leaves,” “pumpkins,” “harvest” are relevant and motivating for kids, so engagement is high.
They naturally embed sensory experiences (textures of leaves/pumpkins, smells of fall, outdoor spaces) which OTs know boost regulation and readiness to learn.
These sensory‑rich experiences create meaningful contexts for language: describing textures, sequencing activities, commenting on action, making choices, etc.
Collaboration means you can plan tasks that are both communication‑rich and motor/sensory‑friendly, building cross‑discipline carryover and reducing duplicated planning.
Collaborative Fall-Themed Therapy Ideas
1. Leaf Rubbing & Sorting
Setup: Collect real fall leaves (or these re-usable alternatives). Provide crayons, paper, sorting trays.
OT focus: Fine motor skills (crayon grip, transferring leaves), bilateral coordination, sensory exploration of textures.
SLP focus: Vocabulary (rough/smooth, crunchy/soft, green/brown), descriptive language, comparative concepts (bigger/smaller), following 2‐step directions.
Ideas:
“Pick a big rough leaf and a small smooth leaf.”
Sort leaves by color/size and then describe “this one is bigger than that one.”
Use AAC or communication boards: “I want the brown one,” “It’s crunchy,” “Look at my leaf!”
2. Pumpkin Carving/Decorating for Motor + Language
Setup: Small pumpkins, safe carving tools or stickers for decorating, paint, sensory bins with pumpkin guts or seeds.
OT focus: Hand strength, tool use, bilateral coordination, sensory tolerance (for messy/“yucky” textures).
SLP focus: Verbs/actions (“carve,” “scooping,” “paint”), sequences (“first we cut, next we scoop, then we decorate”), express choice (“I want orange paint”), comments (“My pumpkin is big”).
Ideas:
Use a visual sequence board: “Cut → Scoop → Decorate → Show.”
Prompt communication: “What color will you paint?” “How does it feel inside?”
For AAC users: set up buttons for “Help,” “Stop,” “More,” “That’s fun,” etc.
3. Fall Scavenger / Movement Hunt
Setup: Indoor or outdoor space. Scatter objects such as pumpkins, leaves, acorns or small re-usable items like these mini autumn figures or fall scatter decor. Provide a basket or bag for collection. Use a checklist (check out my Fall Outdoor Scavenger Hunt resource!)with an accompanying clipboard.
OT focus: Gross motor (walking/running, bending, reaching, carrying basket), proprioceptive input (carrying a weighted bag), sensory input (different ground textures: leaves, grass, hay).
SLP focus: Following directions (“Find the red leaf under the bench”), requesting (“I want that one”), commenting on actions (“I’m carrying the bag”), answering WH‐questions (“Where did you find it?”).
Bonus Ideas:
Use a visual checklist with icons and words: leaf, acorn, small pumpkin, red item.
Ask: “Which one is heavier?” “How many items do you have?”
Incorporate breaks with a 30‑second freeze and prompt sentence: “I’m resting” or “My legs are tired.”
4. Sensory Bin: Fall Textures + Language
Setup: Large bin filled with beans, corn kernels, small pumpkins, gourds, leaves, acorns, pinecones. Provide scoops, cups, spoons. There are even pre-made sensory bins available online, or you can find other fillers here!
OT focus: Tactile exploration, fine motor( scooping, pouring ), sensory regulation (child chooses depth/pacing).
SLP focus: Vocabulary (pour, scoop, full/empty), comparisons (lighter/heavier, more/less), commenting & asking questions (“What is that? That’s a pinecone”), encourage elaboration.
Bonus Ideas:
Hide vocabulary or articulation targets in the bin: when the child finds one, they name it and say a sentence.
Use AAC for vocabulary and phrases such as: "I found!”, “Oh wow!”, “That’s cold!”, “All done!”
Introduce adjectives: cold/hot, rough/smooth, dry/damp.
Planning & Collaboration Tips for SLPs and OTs
Pre‑plan together: Decide on shared goals; e.g., OT aims child uses both hands to scoop, SLP aims child uses complete sentence during scoop (“I scoop the corn”).
Shared visuals and materials: Use one set of picture icons for both motor/sensory tasks and communication tasks.
Flexible pacing: Sensorily‐rich tasks can fatigue children, so plan built‑in breaks, movement resets (jump, stretch) before resuming language tasks.
Reflect & adapt: After each session, SLP & OT debrief: what worked, what taxed the child, how to adjust sensory load or language complexity next time.
Carryover to home/school: Provide caregivers/teachers with a simple “fall themed activity at home” idea and the target vocabulary/commands so the child gets repetition outside session.
Best Practices and Ensuring Success
Begin with sensory registration: before starting a language task, allow time for the child to feel, touch, explore. Without this, language demands may overwhelm.
Keep language embedded and functional: Use real materials and real actions, not just worksheets.
Use visual supports for sequencing and transitions, as they help children anticipate “what happens next.”
Celebrate all communication and movement successes: whether the child says one word, uses AAC, or hits a fine‐motor target.
Monitor fatigue: Both motor and communication tasks tire children. Observe signs of overload (sensory meltdown, avoidance, wandering) and be ready to shift to a calming task.
So, in Conclusion…
When an SLP and OT team up around fall‑themed sessions, you get a richer, more engaging therapy experience that meets children where they are: moving, sensing, and communicating.
Let this season be your canvas. Pull out the leaves, pumpkins and sensory bins and watch as your clients laugh, move and talk in new, meaningful ways.
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