Aistiharjojen

Aistiharjojen is a term used to describe a family of structured sensory exercises designed to enhance perceptual awareness and regulatory skills. The concept draws on the Finnish words aisti (sense) and harjoitus (exercise) and is used across educational and therapeutic contexts to engage multiple senses in guided activities.

Origins and use: The term emerged in late 20th-century Finnish education and occupational therapy communities as part of broader multisensory approaches to learning and development. It is widely used in early childhood education, special education, and rehabilitation settings, often as part of individualized plans to support development and coping strategies.

Principles and modalities: Aistiharjojen rely on intentional, repetitive, and progressively challenging activities that stimulate vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and movement (proprioception and vestibular input). Activities are typically embedded in play and daily routines, with careful attention to pacing, safety, and accessibility. The approach emphasizes sensory discrimination, attention, emotional regulation, and social interaction.

Applications: In classrooms and clinical settings, practitioners use aistiharjojen to support children with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, or attention difficulties. They are also used in mindfulness training and rehabilitation after injury, to improve body awareness and coping strategies.

Implementation and evaluation: Practitioners tailor exercises to individual needs, monitor responses, and adjust intensity. The evidence base varies by context; proponents cite improvements in focus and regulation, while critics stress the need for professional guidance to avoid overstimulation and to ensure appropriateness for each learner.