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Just some info I came across and found helpful and informative to me that I wanted to share. Maybe it will make things "click" for someone else,........... click the link for all the information, I just posted highlights. http://www.chileda.org/resources/sensory.htm Sensory integration is a therapeutic approach to treating autism that Chileda has employed with great success. Simply stated, it is the organization of sensory input that stimulates interaction between the child and his world. Sensory experiences include touch, movement, body awareness, sight, sound, and the pull of gravity. Through intensive research, Dr. Ayres identified several characteristics of children who might benefit from sensory integration. Such children tend to exhibit: Overt or covert sensitivity to sights/sounds/touch and movements A short attention span An activity level that is unusually high or unusually low The inability to calm or unwind self Poor self-image Social and emotional problems Physical clumsiness or apparent carelessness Difficulty making transition from one situation to another Delays in speech, language, and/or motor skills Delays in academic achievement Unusual eating habits http://www.chileda.org/resources/teaching.htm RESOURCES / TEACHING STRATEGIES 10 most effective strategies for teaching students with autism spectrum disorders. http://www.chileda.org/resources/strategies.htm Here are 10 of the most effective strategies for teaching students with autism spectrum disorders; they can be implemented in a variety of educational settings: 1) Visual Schedules Establishing and following a visual schedule eliminates the unexpected and assists students in anticipating and preparing for transitions……………………. 2) Environmental Considerations Many students with autism are sensitive to auditory input and have a more difficult time processing auditory stimulation. Their work stations should be placed away from excessive auditory stimulation and away from unnecessary movement. Click here to download the classroom diagram. 3) Visual Structure Click here to download examples of activities. 4) Alternatives to Verbal Communication 5) Direct Instruction of Social Skills 6) Literacy Instruction Because many students with autism rely on some form of augmentative communication, even if it is only a backup, literacy instruction is very important. If a student is literate, s/he will be able to communicate at a much higher level than if the child is forced to depend on communications devices that are programmed with limited vocabulary………………………. 7) Sensory Opportunities Click here to download Sensory Ideas. 8) Consistency All students do best when the daily program remains consistent with clear expectations. All staff working with students with autism need to be well-trained and must implement the daily program as consistently as possible. 9) Take advantage of student strengths and interests 10) Functional Curriculum Students with autism have a great deal of potential to live and work independently as adults. The curriculum should place a strong emphasis on following a functional curriculum. Skills that emphasize daily living skills, community skills, recreation and leisure and employment need to be incorporated into the curriculum……………………………………. Click here to download Teaching a Task http://www.webhealthcentre.com/disabilities/aut_occtherapy.a sp Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that is given to people to help them overcome a disability/disabilities that prevent them from performing either their daily tasks or the job they are skilled at, but are unable to do owing to a disability. In children, Occupation Therapy will enable a child perform “occupations” or activities that are meaningful and relevant to age of the child such as playing with other children, interacting with elders and others in a group, observing and responding to sensory stimuli such as colours-pictures-music etc, articulation of feelings etc. How does Occupational Therapy help those with Autism? People with Autism have problems with communications and social interaction. The problem is often compounded by difficulties in sensory perception. They demand unusual quantities of certain types of sensations and are extremely hypersensitive to other types. Occupational therapists work on “integrating sensory perception”, that helps the autistic to be more productive and improve contacts with people and environments. What are some of the symptoms that betray a sensory deficit? Auditory disturbances: Some autistic children react very differently to sound. Either overly sensitive or under sensitive. This coupled with delayed speech or language skills they are thought of as being deaf. Tactile: Some autistic children are very sensitive to being touched, wearing a specific dress or fabric, having a hair cut, nails cut etc., Balancing and motor problems: Flapping hands, restless movements, Activity level that is unusually high or unusually low, physical clumsiness or apparent carelessness etc. Though each of our sense organs receives a certain type of stimuli, the brain processes all these to give a composite picture. This helps us to understand our body’s relation to the space around us. For most of us, this happens automatically. In some of us this process is imperfect. So even a certain stimulus is received it is not processed effectively. Efficient sensory integration is important for almost all our learning and behaviour. The three main aspects of sensory integration are: Tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive functions. Tactile System: The tactile system senses even a light touch, pain, temperature, and pressure. These play an important role in relating to the environment helping in understanding it and surviving in it.. A dysfunction in the tactile system can result in:
This type of over-stimulation in the brain can make it difficult for an individual to organize one's behavior and concentrate and may lead to a negative emotional response to touch. Vestibular System: The structures within the inner ear form the vestibular system. This system helps in balancing and be aware of changes in the position of the head. Dysfunction within this system may result in:
Or
Proprioceptive System: Muscles, joints, and tendons that provide a person with a subconscious awareness of body position are a part of proprioceptive system. The proprioceptive system is responsible for:
The child with a deficit may keep moving continuously or tire easily and may be resistant to new spaces. What can an occupational therapist do?
What are some of the common props used to enhance sensory integration? Various props are used depending on the deficit: Inputs From : Occupational Therapist at Sankalp. Our district doesn't provide sensory integration therapy because they claim that it is not directly related to academic success in school. Our son, Nathan, was evaluated by an outside therapist and he recommended that our kindergartener receive both OT and Sensory Integration therapy. Does any one have any research-based information that the use of this therapy can improve behavior and academics in children? I will continue to search. Gina Gina ASk for a complete sensory profile to be performed on your child as well as a functional behavior assessment. With the results of them (depending what it shows) you should be able to fight your school for some help. They may not have to provide actual sensory integration therapy, but they would have to at least provide some sensory items for your child to use at school to be functional. Like a weighted vest, seat wedge, sensory box, headphones, sensory breaks... or whatever he may need. Check out www.wrightslaw.com it may have the info you are looking for. If you have a specialist who is willing to write that he absolutely needs sensory integrative therapy to be successful at school the school will have to provide it or pay for you to seek it on your own. Our school district also fights this. They are only required to provide therapy needed for them academically... being able to hold a pencil, write, sit, stand walk etc. Where does one draw the line?I realy liked this page very helpful info THANKYOU! Spenser's mom |
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