Just answered a question that came to me from a special ed teacher. She wrote: I teach special education students with severe multiple disabilities at the middle school level. I am struggling with providing ALL of my students with scheduled sensory time throughout the day because I am not sure if everyone is benefiting from it. It isobvious that most of my students have sensory needs and will benefit, but I am wondering if you have any information about all people benefiting from sensory input? My response was: Sensory diet activities need to be individualized to meet the needs of different students. The child with hypersensitivity is going to need very different input than the child who is under sensitive as well as than the child who is a sensory seeker. There is definitely no “one size fits all” or a recipe for what to do. However, generally, kids who tend to be overstimulated do best with rhythmic, calming input, dim lights, and predictability. Children with under sensitivity need alerting, relatively erratic input that wakes up their nervous system. Sensory seekers need opportunities to get their “YaYas” out. You will find a lot more on this in both of my books. When working on developing a sensory diet, the first step is to tune in to your child or students sensory issues. Only then can you select appropriate activities to help them feel and function better. If you can, work with an OT who is knowledgeable about sensory challenges and read Raising a Sensory Smart Child and Sensory Processing Challenges, both available in stores, libraries, and online at sites such as amazon/Sensory-Processing-Challenges-Effective-Professional/dp/0393708349/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8/sensory-20 -Lindsey Biel, OTR/L
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:22:00 +0000
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