Archive for August, 2011

Do you have a student with autism or ADD/ADHD in your class that has a hard time sitting still or focusing?  Often providing small opportunities for movement can actually increase your special students concentration.  The key is to find something discrete that allows for some movement, but doesn’t become a distraction to the class.  Here are our top five strategies:

Use an Exercise Band around the Student’s Chair legs.

A simple exercise band wrapped around the front of a student’s chair legs allows a child to kick and get their energy out, increasing focus and decreasing distracting movements.  Best of all if the student is sitting at a desk it’s completely quiet and out of the site of other students.

Give the Child a Small Hand Fidget.

There are a couple of hand fidgets that work really well in the classroom depending on the student.  Small stretchy frogs have long been a classroom favorite.  These work well because they’re inexpensive, discrete, and are great for squishing between fingers.  This is a nice option for mainstream kids who tend to lose things.  Usually they come in a bag so a teacher can keep a supply in her desk for the times a student really needs it.

Isoflex balls work well with older students who may also be dealing with anxiety.   Squeezing the ball or putting it between a student’s hands to squish can instantly relieve tension and increase focus. A micro bead filling provides enough give so that it takes some effort to squeeze, but not too much effort.  However, the skins of these balls are made of several thin layers of latex.  So if you have a destructive student, or one with a latex allergy, look at another option.

Tangle Relax This fidget can be broken into two smaller rings, is very sturdy, and fairly inexpensive.  It comes with a bumpy rubber skin that is a very pleasant tactile experience.  Extremely durable, this is a nice option for elementary age students as well as adults.  However, it is designed to snap open and shut and can break into small parts that could pose a choking hazard for young children or those with cognitive challenges.

Let them Sit on a “Wiggle Seat“

A simple wiggle seat a student  can sit on can encourage exercising the student’s  core muscles.  These small core exercises can keep energy levels down, decrease distractions and help with focus.  If you have a student  with posture issues you may want to get a Move N Sit. This is a wedge shaped cushion that encourages the pelvis to tilt forward aligning the spine.  Thankfully, there are discount versions available that are just as good.

Let them chew something.

Do you have a student who is sucking or chewing on their clothes, hands or pencils?  If so this may be a calming or focusing strategy.  Why not give them something appropriate to chew on?  There are a variety of inexpensive chewable jewelry options as well as clear pencil toppers you can use in the classroom.  For younger children (preschool and under) a popular option is a Teether Ball.  Not only is it a chewy, but it can keep hands busy during circle time.

Try a weighted vest, or Lap Pad.

Easily distracted students may respond positively to the additional weight of a weighted lap pad or  a weighted vest provides.  In a recent review article from the Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders the author noted:

“Five of the seven studies reported some improvements in behavior of children with ASD.  Weighted vests seemed to reduce stereotypic (repetitive) behaviors in some of the children. The vests increased attention or on-task time for some children.  However, these were small studies and could not measure behaviors reliably.”

Every child is different.  Sometimes finding a focus strategy for your special student takes some trial and error.  If you have a helpful focus strategy please share it!

By Britt Collins M.S. OTR/L

With your child going back to school, your child may be experiencing anxiety, stress, excitement, nervous feelings and more.  You may also be experiencing those same feelings.  Here are some sensory tips for back to school for kids.

• Prepare your child ahead of time about being in a new school or new classroom.  Tour the classroom ahead of time and meet the teacher if possible.  Write a social story about going back to school and add real pictures of the school classroom, the bus, friends that your child has, activities that they will be participating in like recess, reading, lunch etc.
• Give the teacher information about your child’s specific sensory needs (i.e. Sam needs sensory breaks every 20-30 minutes which include jumping jacks, heavy lap weights, fidget toys and bouncing on a therapy ball)
• When your child comes home from school, make sure you give them a break.  Maybe have a snack and some quiet time if needed, or maybe they need to blow off some energy.  Provide them an appropriate outlet to do that.  Play outside, jump on the trampoline, create an obstacle course in your living room with a tunnel, bean bag chair, hopping over toys and pushing the laundry basket full of toys down the hall for calming heavy work.  Maybe they need to relax with a good book, or take a cat nap depending on their age.  You should not immediately put strong demands or require them to do homework right after they get home from school.
• Other general sensory strategies can include; making sure your child’s sensory needs are met.  If they are a sensory craver (they seek out a lot of sensation) give them deep pressure, massages, give them opportunities to swing, jump, climb to help organize their sensory systems.  Don’t overload them and watch for signs of getting too hyperactive.  If they are over-responsive to sensory input (they avoid swings, don’t like to touch sticky or gooey, get scared with movement or touch etc) slowly introduce them to various sensory input.  Slowly have them swing in your lap, play with various media like cornstarch and water, or moon sand.  If they are under-responsive (they are hard to motivate, like couch potatoes) try to engage them in something they like, besides video games and TV.  Have them create something, build something, get them outside riding a bike.  ALWAYS consult your occupational therapist to know what type of sensory kid your child is before using the above suggestions.

For more helpful information from Britt visit  www.sensoryparenting.com

Britt Collins M.S. OTR/L is a national speaker, Co-author of Sensory Parenting: Newborns to Toddlers and Co-creator of award winning DVD series: OT in the Home, OT in the School and Yoga for Children with Special Needs