Sensory Needs and Calming Doodads

Over the past couple of years, the occupational therapists, behavior specialist, and former school psychologist, at my school, have been teaching me about sensory overload and the sensory needs of a number of our students. I found out that sensory issues not only affect those students who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, but also students who have developmental delays, attention problems and learning problems. They've taught me about how to intervene with those students who have difficulty self-regulating when faced with overwhelming sensory input or when feelings of anxiety, anger, nervousness, worry, etc. take over a child in in the form of acting out behaviors (tantruming, aggression, panic responses, etc.). These are the students who don't yet know how to classify their feelings, rate their feelings, and then are unable to use the executive functioning skills that will help them regulate their emotions. I've learned about sensory diets (scheduled, everyday sensory breaks) and how they can help a student say organized and focused throughout a day. 

There is all kinds of information out there about sensory diets (I certainly didn't realize it). Here is just one place where you can find more information:

Book: Raising a Sensory Smart Child - Authored by: Linsdey Biel, OTR/L and Nancy Peske

Website: www.sensorysmarts.com

Because of the expertise sharing from my colleagues, last summer I began to think about how to provide sensory options for the entire school population, in addition to, those students who have these needs in our special needs population. Often students of all age groups come by for help to regulate their feelings. I always offer these products. Students who need a break from their classrooms or students who are on a scheduled break will stop by and go right for these materials. Furthermore, I have secondary counselor friends and they have often told me that the students will items such as this to hold/fiddle with while they are chatting. All age levels love this stuff!

I wrote in a previous post about the glitter/gel bags and sensory balloons I made. I made some of the find it games with colored rice, popcorn kernels, and used orange juice jugs! As we went through the seasons and stores put our their merchandise, I kept my eyes open for the perfect products to create a sensory collection. Also, you can get all types of stress balls for free at conferences (I'm hoping to find some at the upcoming ASCA Conference) and community events where businesses are present. FREE is FOR ME!!

I now have a significant collection of "Calming Doodads" that my students can use! 

Here is the collection of products I love! Below, you can find the links to purchase many of these items at Amazon.

My Office Shelf

Calming Doodads

Rice Box

Noodle Box

Sand Box

Have fun!!