When you work or parent children with sensory processing deficits, you quickly see how each child is unique and has sensory preferences. It can be easy to fall into the trap that everything is “sensory” or not “normal” behaviors. It is important to be mindful that we ALL have sensory preferences. Professionals may use testing […]
Have you ever observed associations between the vestibular system in children and cognitive development or behavioral outcomes? If you are a pediatric Occupational or Physical Therapist, you most likely have worked with children who have varying degrees of vestibular dysfunction. A recent study examined closely the association between vertigo and cognitive and psychiatric conditions among […]
Are you in search of easy, calming, vestibular activities for the classroom? Vestibular activities can be very beneficial to students to help get their bodies and brains ready to learn. Let’s take a closer look at why vestibular activities are helpful throughout the school day for some students. What is the vestibular system? The vestibular […]
What is proprioception? Proprioception is the ability of your muscles and joints to determine where they are in space. The proprioceptive nerve endings in the body provide us with the information of where our hands, arms, and legs are in space without having to look at them. The specialized proprioception receptors in the body tell […]
Do you need strategies for fidgety students during group activities? Sensory seeking students may benefit from these suggestions to help improve classroom management. These tips are great anytime for classroom teachers during circle time or large group instruction. Start with a Movement Warm Up Begin the activity with a movement warm up. Depending upon your […]
Whether you are a seasoned therapist or a beginner, this Free Poster – Strategies for Effective Sensory Integration Sessions provides a visual reminder to help children achieve functional goals during a sensory integration session. You can download it at the bottom of the post. Why this FREE Visual about Sensory Sessions? It came to our attention […]
The American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience published research on 17 children with Down Syndrome (DS) to determine the effect of a vestibular exercise program on balance, coordination, and agility. Methodology The 17 children were recruited from two summer enrichment programs and were divided into two groups based on age (group 1: 9.9 yrs – group 2: 18.4 […]
For many students with sensory processing disorder, it is of utmost importance to determine how to help students develop sensory strategies that work to function more efficiently at school. Of course, there are some students who are not able to express their needs and observational skills and data collection are critical. Regardless, all students should […]
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities published a brief report on weighted lap pad use and engagement in class for a kindergarten student with autism spectrum disorder. The purpose of the study was to determine if a weighted lap pad intervention or an evidence-based practice of a structured work box intervention would result in […]
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy recently published a research review on sensory techniques and sensory environmental modifications for children with sensory integration difficulties. The study reviewed 11,436 articles published between January 2007 and May 2015 to find research that reflected high levels of evidence, participants demonstrated sensory integration difficulties, and outcome measures addressed function or […]