Back to School...
SENSORY Prepared and Empowered!
SENSORY STEP #1
The world of sensory integration and sensory processing challenges is full of big, unfamiliar words. It is so important to know the terms, educate yourself on the basics of sensory and all of the terminology that goes along with it, and to be able to "talk the sensory talk". This is critical in preparing and empowering yourself to be that voice for your child in the school system. Not only does it help you truly wrap your head around the sensory concepts and principles, but it will help you present your child's sensory needs and challenges with confidence! It is quite possible that you will know more than the teacher and the staff in regards to sensory integration and sensory needs and differences, that is ok, this is your chance to educate and inform. Nothing is more powerful than being informed and standing strong for what you believe in and knowing what helps your child succeed. You have the right to speak up and have certain expectations in regards to your child's education and well-being. Also educate yourself about your rights as a parent and for your child. Inform and educate yourself about IEPs and 504 plans to help give you the legal back up if it becomes necessary. Some children will qualify for IEPs, some will not, but ALL children with special needs, including hidden disabilities, are entitled to a 504 plan if accommodations and adaptations are needed for a child to succeed in the classroom setting.
SENSORY STEP #2
START WITH POSITIVE AND OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE TEACHER
Request a meeting with your child's new teacher and include the principal if you feel like you need the extra support. This may have already happened if an IEP or 504 plan is in place or has been recommended from the previous school year. If not, then you will need to request your own meeting, and be sure to do this with plenty of time to get this scheduled, asking for this 2 days before school starts is not going to be reasonable. Keep in mind, the meeting may also need to take place once school is in session. Come prepared to this meeting with written documentation of your child's needs and requested adaptations and modifications in regards to sensory tools and strategies that will help your child succeed in the classroom setting. If your child sees a private OT, ask for written recommendations to bring along to the meeting. You can also request your child's pediatrician to sign your recommendations just for back up. The more professional recommendations and documentation you have, the better. Bring copies of the appropriate printable handouts that apply to your child's sensory needs and challenges from this website. Also, bring your copy of Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals with the pages tagged for easy reference, and allow the teacher to borrow the book for a short period of time to have a chance to soak it all in.
I can not stress enough how important it is to be PRO-ACTIVE in having a plan with sensory tools and strategies in place from the start of the school year. Unfortunately the common response and trend from teachers and staff is the "let's wait and see how they do" and then make changes as needed. This is exactly opposite of what a child with sensory differences needs, and will in turn create more sensory dysregulation and sympathetic nervous system response (fight or flight). YOU know your child best, and YOU know what works for your child in regards to sensory tools and strategies. Being prepared and living a sensory life is the key to success, so why would this be any different in the classroom? It's not different, so insist on having the tools in place from the start, just as you have your sensory tools and strategies at home and for in the community.
Request a meeting with your child's new teacher and include the principal if you feel like you need the extra support. This may have already happened if an IEP or 504 plan is in place or has been recommended from the previous school year. If not, then you will need to request your own meeting, and be sure to do this with plenty of time to get this scheduled, asking for this 2 days before school starts is not going to be reasonable. Keep in mind, the meeting may also need to take place once school is in session. Come prepared to this meeting with written documentation of your child's needs and requested adaptations and modifications in regards to sensory tools and strategies that will help your child succeed in the classroom setting. If your child sees a private OT, ask for written recommendations to bring along to the meeting. You can also request your child's pediatrician to sign your recommendations just for back up. The more professional recommendations and documentation you have, the better. Bring copies of the appropriate printable handouts that apply to your child's sensory needs and challenges from this website. Also, bring your copy of Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals with the pages tagged for easy reference, and allow the teacher to borrow the book for a short period of time to have a chance to soak it all in.
I can not stress enough how important it is to be PRO-ACTIVE in having a plan with sensory tools and strategies in place from the start of the school year. Unfortunately the common response and trend from teachers and staff is the "let's wait and see how they do" and then make changes as needed. This is exactly opposite of what a child with sensory differences needs, and will in turn create more sensory dysregulation and sympathetic nervous system response (fight or flight). YOU know your child best, and YOU know what works for your child in regards to sensory tools and strategies. Being prepared and living a sensory life is the key to success, so why would this be any different in the classroom? It's not different, so insist on having the tools in place from the start, just as you have your sensory tools and strategies at home and for in the community.
SENSORY STEP #3
Once you have informed your child's new teacher as well as the principal of the school, determine if this teacher is going to be the best fit for your child. If the teacher is not receptive to understanding and respecting the sensory side of things, then no matter how many tools you offer and strategies you recommend to have in place...it will be very difficult to achieve an overall positive response since co-regulation is a big factor, in conjunction with the use of the sensory strategies. If you have a "gut" feeling that this teacher is not the best match for your child, request a different teacher. You have the right to do this. One other thing to keep in mind is the personality and teaching style of the new teacher...some sensory kiddos do best in a very strict and rigid classroom, others do better with more freedom and self-expression. ALL sensory kiddos need structure and consistency, so ask questions and make sure this is a priority in the classroom. Also keep in mind visual input in the classroom, if this new classroom is full of visual distractions, clutter, and items dangling from the ceiling...this may not be the best match and environment for your kiddo. Some teachers keep it nice and simple, without visual clutter and distractions, this is ideal for a child with sensory challenges.
SENSORY STEP #4
Once you have determined you have the best match for your child, it is time to educate and inform and prepare the teacher! Be prepared to supply the necessary sensory tools for your child. Do not expect for the school to obtain these items. It is a real bonus if your school has a "sensory room or therapy room"! If so, this will be a critical part of your child's day and request for it to be part of the sensory plan. Recess is also an incredibly important component of the sensory plan. Here are two handouts on this topic: Make Recess a Priority and A Sensory Enriched Recess. The other two most important handouts I suggest at the beginning are How to Handle a Meltdown in the Classroom and Sensory Tools and Strategies for the Classroom. There are a whole lot more...but I will let you browse the handouts for the topics that apply to your situation.
Once you have determined, through the use of my books, as well as the above mentioned handouts, and the help of your private OT, it is time to get your sensory tool bag ready for the first day! It may be theraband to wrap around the legs of the classroom chair, or a Camelbak water bottle or water backpack. It may be noise cancelling headphones and a ball chair or lap pad and squish box. This list will be personalized to your child's sensory needs. Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals also offers many ideas to help based on each specific sensory signal.
A few other places on my website to find ideas for tools and strategies in the classroom may be on the Sensory How-To Videos page, the vestibular, sensory retreats, or oral sensory tools page. Fidget tools are also a very common sensory tool for the classroom as well as tools for sensory defensiveness.
Once you have determined, through the use of my books, as well as the above mentioned handouts, and the help of your private OT, it is time to get your sensory tool bag ready for the first day! It may be theraband to wrap around the legs of the classroom chair, or a Camelbak water bottle or water backpack. It may be noise cancelling headphones and a ball chair or lap pad and squish box. This list will be personalized to your child's sensory needs. Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals also offers many ideas to help based on each specific sensory signal.
A few other places on my website to find ideas for tools and strategies in the classroom may be on the Sensory How-To Videos page, the vestibular, sensory retreats, or oral sensory tools page. Fidget tools are also a very common sensory tool for the classroom as well as tools for sensory defensiveness.
SENSORY STEP #5
If possible, I would strongly recommend obtaining a copy of "Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals" for your child's teacher. These practical, reference handbook is now being used in classrooms all over the country and around the world. The quick reference, easy to understand format, makes the book ideal for teachers to look up a topic and find a quick solution! You can also place tabs on all of the pages that are applicable for your child's sensory needs, for even easier reference!