Sensory Integration Skills

     
		
	
What it is

An area of student need, involving difficulty with the way that the brain takes in information from the senses.

Teaching Strategies

Instructional
• Consult and implement strategies recommended by an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and/or speech-language pathologist.
• Develop alternative programming in the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), with attainable goals related to sensory integration.
• Track behaviours to determine sensory needs.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians and other staff.
• Directly teach calming strategies and appropriate sensory seeking/avoidance strategies.
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Environmental

• Access a sensory room, if available.
• Reduce trigger sensory input.
• Provide a calming/time-out space.
• Provide assistive devices to support sensory needs (task lighting, colored paper, items with preferred textures, roller boards, etc.).
• Provide relaxation tools (stress balls, material in different textures, etc.).

Assessment

• Minimize triggers and maximize appropriate sensory strategies as per the student’s needs.
• Accommodate the student’s sensory needs.
• Break tests/assignments into chunks.
• Allow for frequent breaks.
• Encourage the use of stress reduction strategies during testing.



Resources
Student Needs IPRC Exceptionalites Diagnosed Conditions