Teaching in inclusive classrooms is very challenging. Being a substitute teacher or supply teacher in one is even more difficult. The school administrator and regular teacher can do a lot to make the transition to a substitute teacher go more smoothly for students with special needs. Parents also can prepare their child with special needs so they can accept this change and work well with the relief teacher or casual teacher. What are the steps both the school and parents can take to make a substitute’s stay pleasant and productive for the students with different needs and a positive experience for the substitute teacher?
Continue Reading...Chewy and Fidget for Kids, Tweens and Teens
A chewy and fidget are used to satisfy the needs of many who have an overwhelming urge to chew, bite, and fidget to get on with the day. These sensory oral-motor tools are chewable and wearable chew pendants for people with special needs like autism or that have sensory challenges. Individuals of all ages use them for focusing, calming, alerting, and to increase oral sensory awareness. Many who find transitions difficult, hold on to their familiar chewable necklace and feel less stressed going from home to school and from classroom to different parts of the school.
Continue Reading...Sensory Tools Help a Child to Survive Sensory Overload, Calm and Focus
Who likes to drive during rush hour? No one! What is life like for a person with sensory processing disorder (SPD)? An overwhelmed individual with SPD likened his life as having a “traffic jam” in his brain. If your child has sensory issues that often come hand-in-hand with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Tourette syndrome, etc. have your child evaluated by a professional. Often the child will be referred to an occupational therapist (OT) who will be able to help your child. What will an OT suggest to parents to help their child with sensory integration issues? Also what exactly is sensory processing disorder?
Continue Reading...What Is a Sensory Diet?
If your child is diagnosed with sensory processing disorder (SPD) often his occupational therapist will plan a Sensory Diet to help him. What is SPD? Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or, as if was called before Sensory Integration Disorder, is a complex disorder of the brain that affects one in twenty people. Sensory processing disorder is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing, and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within one’s own body. Individuals can be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to varying degrees and may have trouble with one of the senses, a few, or all of them.
Continue Reading...Customize Your Child’s Sensory Box – What Items to Choose and Why
Do you use a Sensory box? What do you put in a sensory box? Why do some individuals NEED items to bite, chew and fidget? How can we help kids meet their sensory needs to be successful students and happy campers? This post will help parents and teachers understand that some children, and even many adults, should be provided with a SAFE sensory tool to chew, bite and or fidget. Why?
Continue Reading...Fidgets for ADHD: Toys or Tools for Children with Special Needs?
Are fidgets for ADHD just toys that should be put away at the sound of the bell? Are fidgets really tools for children with special needs to be used all day at home and in class with the blessing of both parents and teachers and on the recommendation of professionals? Does fidgeting really make it possible for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to focus and do their work?
Continue Reading...Tips for Parents and Teachers of Children with Special Needs from Beth Aune, OTR/L
One of the authors of Behavior Solutions books shares her work as an OT in schools- info, strategies, support– there is an explanation for that behavior!
Continue Reading...Talk to Your Child’s Teachers: Why, When and How
