4Real Forums: Teaching ideas for sensory disorder child

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Topic: Teaching ideas for sensory disorder child

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Anneof 5
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Posted: July 02 2007 at 8:47am \| IP Logged

I have two young children who were both diagnosed with sensory processing disorder this summer and are receiving therapy. Ds 8 has much difficulty with handwriting especially (sensory defensiveness) along with visual memory, auditory memory and attention difficulties.( Dd6 will be getting therapy, too, but I still have to see the report on her to know exactly where her main difficulties exist.)
Ds is in a handwriting class (HWT with a therapist) in addition to weekly therapy but will need the Wilbarger protocol (brushing) starting this week.
I am at a loss as to how I should prepare for this coming school year. Neither of them are good at sitting for long, especially for reading aloud, etc. Where do I get info on how to figure all of this out? I feel ds is really lagging as he did 1st grade level Math and phonics this year but it was difficult for him, especially with the writing. We never really finished his work as the writing got too overwhelming and we both needed a break.
I know the therapist may be a source but how much can I expect from her? Her time for talking with me is only so long (she is really great) and I feel like I am having too many questions already! I need actual teaching tips. This is my first experience with having someone in therapy and I will be dealing with two. I guess I am a little overwhelmed to say the least!
Thanks!
Anne

Willa
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Posted: July 02 2007 at 9:44am \| IP Logged

I've had a couple of children with sensory issues.

Talking through math problems and drawing pictures or handling manipulatives, instead of writing them has been helpful.   There's more of a trickle-down effect with verbal work, too -- my four year old has picked up all sorts of preacademics painlessly from my work with my SID 7 year old.

The HWT class will be a good thing -- great that they are offering this nowadays -- we use HWT with some help from our OT and it has been great.

When talking to your OT, I would ask the top questions first -- the ones that seem to be most pressing.   Sometimes the difficulties are interrelated -- the solutions that help one problem also help another one.

We rotate through "lessons" quickly and sometimes revisit them in different ways during the day to keep in line with my childrens' attention span.   For example, if there was a lesson in 2-digit numbers I might bring out manipulatives or counting cards later on and let the children explore.

I've gotten ideas for creating a learning environment from the Montessori forum on this message board -- though I don't use Montessori in pure form I do pick and choose activities and also look for ways to reinforce learning by hands-on activities.

The Wilbarger brushing has been great for my SID child now turned 8.   My son's OT is very helpful with academic issues and also has been helpful in steering me towards further resources -- books, additional therapies, etc.

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Willa
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Elizabeth
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Posted: July 02 2007 at 10:15am \| IP Logged

You might want to poke around Enki Education sites for ideas. Enki has some of the same caveats as Waldorf does, so you have to sift, but there is some support there and some value when it comes to sensory integration.

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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)

Anneof 5
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Posted: July 03 2007 at 6:08pm \| IP Logged

Thank you Willa and Elizabeth. I have been looking at Montessori ideas for years but have never gotten my act in gear to actually try any of it. Too much ingrained in my brain from being a classroom teacher for 6 years and I have a hard time thinking a new way. But I will look and see what I may be able to apply to these kids, who could really benefit from this type of learning. I just need to start small and not get so overwhelmed with it.
I bookmarked the Enki site and will keep going back to see how I can make use of it. It looks really interesting. I had never heard of it before.
I appreciate the feedback!
Anne

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