How to Support Children With Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing disorders can cause children difficulties as they interact with their environments throughout the day. School is no exception. Many children with sensory processing disorders have difficulties in school because their disorders are not completely understood by educators. Fortunately, there are things educators can do to help support students with sensory processing disorder. Read on to learn how to support children with sensory processing disorder.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Read as much as you can about the type of sensory processing disorder the child has. Interventions depend on what sense is involved and whether the child is overresponsive or underresponsive.
2. Discuss interventions with other professionals and parents. Meet with the child's parents to discuss what interventions work at home. Visit with an occupational therapist to learn about intervention strategies.
3. Recognize that the child needs extra support in the classroom or behaviors will get worse. The extra support isn't viewed as a crutch, but is viewed as an aid.
4. Plan ahead for situations that you know may cause discomfort for the child. Whenever you're doing something different with your class, anticipate how the child may react.
5. Communicate with the child's other teachers about things that are working in your classroom. Interventions need to be consistent across environments.
6. Reward the child for small steps. Sitting in a chair for five minutes may be a huge step for a child with vestibular dysfunction.
7. Recognize that sensory processing disorder may affect the child's interactions with peers. Brief social skill lessons may help the child be more socially adept.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to workshops to learn more about intervention strategies.
• Don't take behavior personally. For example, children who can't sit still may not be bored with your lesson, but they may have a high need for input.