How to Guide Students to the Right Sensory Tools for Their Behaviors
By Rivkie Berger, OTR/L
Students with sensory challenges may struggle to focus, stay calm and engage in learning. They might appear hyperactive, disruptive or restless when they simply need to find the right sensory tool to self-regulate. Using sensory tools empowers students so that they are ready to learn. However, sometimes they need help determining the best tool to use. How can you best guide them toward the right sensory tool? Keep reading to learn more about common challenges and what they are often signaling.
Challenge 1: Sleepy or ‘Spaced Out’
If students are tired or having a hard time paying attention, you need to find ways to increase their focus on the task at hand. Give kids a ball fidget to squeeze for a simple wake up to the senses. Vibrations are also a great way to alert the muscles. Encourage active sitting with wiggle cushions to stimulate arousal.
You can also incorporate a more active sensory break during class. Students can activate their vestibular system by jumping or rocking.
Challenge 2: Can’t Sit Still
What about the student who cannot sit still? Whether it’s due to hyperactivity or a lack of vestibular awareness, you can use similar sensory tools for kids who are sleepy. The same wiggle cushions can allow students to release energy while remaining in their seat. Other fidgets can boost concentration by giving students a discreet outlet for their energy. By keeping their hands (and feet) occupied, their minds are free to focus.
Help students soothe the jitters with deep pressure input. When a student places a weighted lap pad on their lap, the weight sends calming signals throughout their system, reducing antsy movement.
Challenge 3: Touching Everything
An important lesson in the classroom is keeping your hands to yourself. Some students crave tactile input, though, and seem to run their fingers over every available surface (occasionally even their peers). Guide these students toward textured tools that provide the touch stimulation they need. Holding and squeezing a set of Weighted Textured Balls does double duty. Not only does each ball have a unique texture for kids to run their fingers over, but the added weight provides gentle pressure input. You can find a variety of fun to feel fidgets to satisfy every preference while increasing focus and decreasing anxiety.
Challenge 4: Humming or Talking
Our mouths are big sensory regulators. Think about how infants suck on a pacifier to self-soothe. Many children use humming as a way to self-soothe, although they are rarely aware of it. It can help ease anxiety, filter out noise and provide calming oral motor input. Insisting that students simply stop making noise likely won’t work, since they still need that sensory input. Instead use chewies to give children the oral input they crave. Match your chewy to the bite strength of the student.
If the humming and/or talking is a way for kids to ease anxiety, you can have them try deep pressure input instead. Holding a weighted friend on their lap could be a great alternative. For those who are trying to filter out noise, offer noise canceling headphones to block ambient sounds.
Challenge 5: Angry or Irritable
Emotional regulation takes several different skills and can be challenging for students with sensory processing needs. When they are feeling very upset, easily agitated or irritable, encourage them to use sensory tools that promote mindfulness and relaxation. Spending time in a classroom calming corner allows them to remove themselves from a triggering situation. Show students how to practice deep breathing with a calm down jar for a soothing boost.
Gentle massage with a sensory brush or roller increases the release of dopamine, the “feel good” hormone. Compression input can have a similar effect.
Challenge 6: Sensory Overload
A typical school setting has a lot going on. There are many other children in the hallways, a great deal of surrounding noise, fluorescent lights– and that is just the tip of the iceberg for kids with sensory processing disorder. Doing your best to stay one step ahead and guide students who are prone to sensory overload toward the tools that can address their needs will enable them to avoid a meltdown and continue participating in class activities.
There are sensory tools to help on a bigger and smaller scale, depending on your capabilities. Decorating the classroom walls with Felt Right Tiles for Noise Reduction can dampen external noise for the whole class. Slipping on a pair of noise reduction headphones is great for the student who may be triggered by the sound of peers writing or turning pages. A child who is overstimulated by harsh, bright lights may benefit from permission to wear a baseball cap. Not only will the brim protect their eyes from the light but the weight provides proprioceptive input. You can also install fluorescent light covers to reduce visual glare for all of your students.
Whatever sensory or regulation challenges your students face in the classroom, know that there are tools available to help! Understanding the underlying sensory needs signaled by various behaviors will allow you to guide your students to the right tool. As you get to know your students, you’ll be able to incorporate these self-regulation strategies preventatively, as well!
Fun and Function is pleased to support educators with a wide array of tools that can help students and ultimately teachers keep students focused. CLICK HERE to learn more about these wonderful products.
About the Author:
An experienced Occupational Therapist, Rivkie is passionate about recognizing and supporting sensory integration needs in children and adults. Rivkie earned her degree at SUNY Downstate. She has served as lead OT in classrooms and as OT/PT supervisor in an early childhood center. A mom of three, Rivkie knows the daily challenges of life with kids as well as practical strategies that work. A skilled trainer, Rivkie educates our client in the best practices and therapeutic activities for sensory spaces. She also teaches our employees about sensory needs and how to guide customers to the appropriate sensory solutions.