Sensory Processing and Pretend Play The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on sensory processing and pretend play in 42 typically developing children ages 5-7 years old. Each child was assessed with the Child Initiated Pretend Play Assessment and the Home and Main Classroom forms of the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM). The results of the […]
10 Ideas for Oral Sensory Seekers in the Classroom Do you see students chewing the tops off of pencils, mouthing their fingers, chewing their t-shirt or making excessive mouth noises? Maybe these oral habits increase during stressful times in the classroom. Some children seek oral input to help with self regulation and attention span. Providing […]
Finger Fidget or Finger Warm Up Exercises Here is a super simple and super cheap do-it-yourself project to make finger fidgets. These bead finger fidgets can be used to occupy busy hands for wiggly students or to warm up the fingers before fine motor or handwriting activities. Obviously, do not use these with young children […]
The British Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on children with developmental coordination disorder and sensory difficulties to examine the co-occurrence of developmental coordination disorders and sensory processing and integration difficulties. Data was collected by reviewing the records of 93 children who were diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder (ages 5-12) and who were evaluated with […]
Recent research examined atypical sensory and repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder through video recording observations to determine the influence of environmental factors. The participants included 32 children with autism spectrum disorder (2–12 years of age) engaging in sensory and repetitive behaviors during home activities. Using the video recording, behavioral coding was used to […]
Have you ever been in a classroom as an adult? Wow, they can be chaotic, loud and overwhelming for anyone. The days of students sitting in the desks quietly working are over. Cooperative learning, alternative seating arrangements and group projects have turned the classroom environment upside down. On one hand it is a constant learning […]
Do you suggest or use alternative seating to keep children alert and focused in the classroom? Here are 20 FREE flexible seating ideas picture word cards for alternative seating in your classroom. Scroll down to download your 20 alternative seating picture word cards for free. These visuals are an excellent compliment to: Wiggle Worms: A […]
Back to school time can be a wonderful, exciting time for some students and a frustrating, new experience for other students. School based therapists can help students develop strategies from a sensory motor perspective to remain calm when they get angry or frustrated A new, huge collection of visual images that includes 26 calming strategies […]
The British Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on in class sensory activities and on task performance of 4 students with autism using a non-concurrent, AB single system research design across multiple baselines. Data was collected by school staff using video recording during classroom tasks. Stage one of the Perceive, Recall, Plan, Perform (PRPP) System of Task […]
JAMA Psychiatry published research on the neurobiological basis of sensory overresponsivity (an extreme negative reaction to sensory stimuli) in youth with autism. Since more than half of youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have sensory overresponsivity (SOR) the researchers wanted to use functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the differences in brain responses, habituation, and connectivity during […]