How to Use Therapy Putty for Kids? - Ableys UAE

What is Therapy Putty?

Therapy putty can be described as a non-toxic silicone-based material used by occupational therapists around the globe. Unlike playdough, which can dry out and leave residue on hands and/or surfaces, therapy putty is specially designed to provide a graduated level of resistance, so it can assist with strengthening your hands and fingers over time.

As well as being a clinical tool, therapy putty is genuinely fun for kids; that is why therapists enjoy using it.

Occupational therapists working with children aged three and older in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now recommending structured hand exercises using therapy putty due to the increasing amount of time that children are spending on screens and the decreased amount of time they are spending playing with their hands.

Understanding Resistance Levels

Colors of resistance levels of therapy putty are in the 4-pack available at Abley’s. Always progress only after an exercise feels easy; never push through the pain while using therapy putty. Below is a chart matching the colors of a therapy putty with their respective resistance levels.

Core Exercises to Do With Your Child

A clinical session lasting 5 minutes to 10 minutes is adequate. The target for each exercise should be ten repetitions per set with an eventual goal of doing three sets prior to increasing the resistance used with each set. The following exercises have been cited throughout occupational therapy literature's practice guidelines as being some of the more frequently recommended:

Why It Works - The Clinical Reasoning

Therapy putty is effective because it combines three therapeutic mechanisms simultaneously:

• Resistive strengthening of the intrinsic hand muscles (lumbricales, interossei, thenar and hypothenar muscle groups).

• Deep tactile-proprioceptive sensory input that helps regulate the nervous system - particularly important for children with sensory processing differences.

• Repetitive purposeful motion that organises attention and supports self-regulation.

There are very few solutions that integrate rehabilitation, sensory integration, and classroom readiness together into a single, easy-to-use product. The research is conclusive regarding the positive impact of regular use of putty on a child's ability to demonstrate progress with hand function and self-care independence through the use of sensory integration therapy protocols, such as those produced by Sheffield Children's NHS and Gateshead Health NHS. 

A Clinical Study also confirms the positive effects of Sensory Integration Therapy on children's goal attainment from a structured hand therapy program and on the amount of parental assistance a child needs when performing self-care and participating in social situations.

Visit for best Sensory Toys for kids learning brand in UAE

Safety and Care Tips

Following these guidelines ensures safe, hygienic, and effective use:

• Always wash hands before and after use to keep the putty clean and prevent cross-contamination.

• Use on a clean, smooth, hard surface - keep well away from fabric, carpet, and hair (putty bonds to fibres and is very difficult to remove).

• If putty becomes sticky or too warm, place it in its sealed tub in the fridge for 10 minutes to restore its consistency.

• Supervise young children at all times - do not allow them to mouth or eat the putty.

• Exercises should feel challenging but never painful. Stop immediately if the child experiences discomfort or fatigue.

• Keep the putty in its container when not in use, as it takes the shape of whatever it is stored in.

Where to Buy Therapy Putty in the UAE

For a high-quality therapy putty set that is recommended by an Occupational Therapist in UAE, Ableys has a 4 Colour Pack of Putty. The 4 Colour Set includes Yellow Putty (beginner), Red Putty (beginner/intermediate), Green Putty (intermediate), and Blue Putty (intermediate/advanced).

Each Colour of Putty is however available separately as well . They are made with non-toxic materials, can be reused multiple times, and to save customers money we ship for free throughout the UAE!

Shop now: Abley's Therapy Putty Pack of 4 - ableys.shop

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TheraPutty good for ADHD?

Yes, this statement has been well-researched from a clinical perspective. The nervous system of a child who has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often under-stimulated, contributing to that child's inability to concentrate. 

It has been demonstrated that constantly squeezing and manipulating therapy putty provides both proprioceptive and tactile sensations and, thus, serves to regulate the arousal levels in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. 

It has been suggested by many therapists that a child should have a small container of soft putty on his/her desk during homework or class as a supplement for behaviour management and a fidget tool. 

The repetitive motor movement of squeezing the putty provides the nervous system with just enough sensory stimulation to help alleviate the need for sensory-seeking behaviours, which may distract others. While this is not intended to replace other forms of behaviour management or medical care for ADHD, it is recognised by clinicians as a complementary strategy that has been researched with respect to sensory integration.

What age is TheraPutty for?

Therapy putty can start to be used by children as of the age of 3, provided there is close supervision and that they are able to understand they should not place it into their mouths.

Children aged 3 to 5 will usually start using extra soft (yellow) putty when engaging in playful activities such as rolling, squishing, or simple squeezing of the putty itself. Children aged 6 to 12, the school aged range, will use soft (red) or medium resistance (green) putty when completing more structured exercises. 

Adolescents and adults using therapy putty for rehabilitation purposes will utilize the firmest grades of putty (blue or black). There is no age limit for using therapy putty as it is commonly prescribed to adults in their recovery from an injury or stroke involving their hands. 

Many OTs in the UAE introduce therapy putty to children as young as 2.5 years immediately following the child’s initial therapeutic assessment. The therapy putty will be introduced quickly through direct therapist supervision.