M is in half day Kindergarten. On Tuesdays he has to sit a bunch. What do your kids do for sensory breaks at school? I had asked for him to be able to skip down the hall ( just to the special ed preschool door) on Tuesdays. Is that a reasonable request? By the way they did not do this today, so before I email/ call I thought I would get some ideas from the experts---all of you
Thanks
I firmly believe that sensory breaks need to be used as needed for the sensory system- not when they are convenient in between classes or fit into the academic schedule. As a teacher, I schedule the sensory breaks as a routine part of the schedule so the sensory system is getting at a minimum, at least as much as it needs. Often this means that once an hour the child gets up and goes and jumps on a mini tramp in the corner for 2 minutes. Since I have a self contained room we ALL take the sensory breaks- even the teachers. It is very healthy and a more balanced approach to education if you ask me (or any OT or PE teacher).
Personally, I think skipping down the hall looks dorky. Maybe not for a kindergartener- but soon enough, and if there are older kids in the building it could be a set up for social trouble.
If this were my kid (and mine has needed sensory breaks for all 9 years of his education so far) I would have a sensory diet written into the IEP accommodations which means he gets to do a (specific list in IEP) sensory activity at a regularly timed interval every day throughout the day no matter what else is going on. If the staff are so rigid that this can't happen in a corner of the classroom, this is unfortunate because it means two more transitions out and into classroom which makes everything harder for your child. But rigid staff or not, if those breaks are needed they are a priority over anything else because they truly make other learning possible.
Sorry if I gave you 5 cents and when you were asking for 2...
i prefer swinging for my son....but- it all depends- those sensory breaks are important to get the kiddos to FOCUS on academics and sit for longer periods.
Gail
Karolygirl-- you are a wealth of infomation! I like it!! Off the top of my head I don't think sensory needs are part of any his documentation, but I will do a search. If I ask for an assessment, how do I do that? Just casually ask the behavior and/or autism specialist? Send an email?
Matthew does not qualify for OT services only consult on a monthly bases.
His teacher gave me the cold shoulder today, I am guessing, because I am asking for sensory breaks. Tomorrow will be an interesting day..... as always!
Thanks so much!
Karolysgirl. I like getting more than what I ask for!! But what you said was great. I just thought skiping would be an easy thing for the teacher to comply with. (And I was wondering if it would help at all.) If I can get them to admitt it helps I will seek out more. But this teacher has not be the best to work with when it comes to his sensory needs.
His behavior has become worse since the weather has turned cold and they can't have recess outside. So that tells me he needs this movement, but getting the school to aggree is not always easy.
Thanks
Since Matthew has AS, sensory issues are a part of who he is and it should be easy for you to find documentation in his most recent evaluation of his sensory needs. If you do, highlight it, send a copy to the case manager, and simply ask if a sensory diet can be added as an accommodation in his IEP. The worst they can say is no, and then you ask for an IEP meeting.
If the eval report does not document sensory needs, you can ask for staff to do informal observations, or you can request an assessment that includes observations and sensory profile.
The important part is, once you get this written into his IEP, it does not matter if they agree or not, they just have to do it.
I hear you about schools not always being cooperative. My son has an accommodation extending his timelines for completing work and we have had to correct 3 grades so far this year that were reduced for being "late". They just forget....
The first step is to review the most recent eval report. If you don't have a copy ask the school to give you another copy. See if there was any testing done previously. If the results showed no sensory needs, look at which tests were given to determine this, and post again here to find out which new tests to ask for.
If no tests were given previously, request "The Sensory Profile" which is a questionnaire filled out by you.
The second step if there were no needs determined last time, or if no sensory testing was done, is to request another assessment. You need to request the assessment in writing and keep a copy of your request. When you request an assessment the school is required by law to do it. You give this written request to your child's case manager. The case manager is listed on the IEP.
[QUOTE=iamslh] I'm asking for a lot, but Sandis deserves a lot, and if it is what he needs, then it is what he needs. [/QUOTE]
AMEN!
I am asking for a wealth of OT things to be added to Sandis's IEP. We do the brushing regimen at home, and I am going to ask to have that continued during school. We also do spinning at home, and all sorts of major muscle stuff for sensory breaks. I am asking for sensory breaks for sandis, along with a quiet area, that he can take as needed or as determined needed by an aide. We'll see how it goes. I'm asking for a lot, but Sandis deserves a lot, and if it is what he needs, then it is what he needs.
I can't believe they hold something against your son for having a late assignment!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am amazed and shocked at some of the stuff I read on this board!!!!
In 4th grade and above at our school- EVERY child gets a planner. Jeremy either writes in it, or his aide writes in it- daily, so there is never a question on assignments, or when they are due.
The school is pretty good about sensory breaks. The problem isn't the school- it is getting Jeremy to leave the room or go in the back of the room for a break. He is a big swinger.
good luck.
LOL Gail, it is like we are the police, protecting Jordan's IEP. Every day his dad checks the online grades, and about every other week he has to email a teacher who grades Jordan down for something being "late". What part of extended timelines for completion don't they understand??? Today's fix was to adjust the grade that was late because Jordan was in VT with me in November at my mom's funeral and the teacher said she would forgive the unfinished work for that week. So last week, the grade for that assignment goes in and is really low. If Dad had not policed it, Jordan would have just gotten the low grade.
I have to say, I attended grades 5-12 and college in VT and I thought the quality of education was very good.