Sensory Processing What?

I started this year off wondering how I was going to get everything done. I spent the end of my very short summer trying to redecorate my room (due to my addiction on Pinterest), clean out cupboards, and get organized. It was the first time in 14 years that I was going to be in the same classroom for more than two years. I also didn't have to change grade levels. Yeah!

It turns out I should have been removing things from my white walls instead of adding some color. I found out by the second week of school that I had 3 kids with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). I also have a few with ADHD and some social/emotional issues.

One student I was told about ahead of time. One parent emailed me before school started and we already had a meeting set up for the 4th day of school. The last child was new to the school and I had no idea. He did a great job the first week, but then things started to change. Mom contacted me and after an informal meeting with her at the back to school BBQ, we set up a formal meeting.

Thankfully the parents of all three of these children are amazing!

We have been in school for less than a month and I have already met with all 3 parents, gone to an SPD class with my intern and two of the parents, and coordinated with my OT and learning center teacher. My principal is on board and the teachers in my hall are being very supportive, after I sent out an email explaining the situation. At first I had one upset teacher when she saw a kid doing crab walks down the hall.

I was super overwhelmed after the first week of school and asking everyone for advice. Then the learning center teacher brought in a special cushion, the OT brought in a special cushion, a weighted lap mat, sensory balls, and a lavender scented/weighted neck sock. Oh, where to begin? How do I know what to use and for how long? Is it working or more of a distraction? Does it make this child more in control, but the other SPD kids more out of control? They are all so different. Their sensory issues are all so different.

I had already planned some movement activities, but we added more. We have shake breaks, do wall push-ups, do desk push-ups, brain dance, dots & squeezies, hand pushes, crab walks, snake slithers and anything else we can think of to calm the entire class.

Every specialist the first week came to me with concerns, so now we do as much heavy work as we go to class. We start with arm circles, then press our arms up through the cement and then down. When we get to the ramp we do bunny hops all the way to the top. When they get to the top we do hand presses, hand pulls and squeezies. I don't know if it is helping, but we seem to have less complaints. : )

Many of our transitions include crab walks, snake slithers or slow motion moving. I am not great about it yet, but we have even tried sitting in different positions on the carpet for a short period of time.

I am going to try to document this journey as I attempt to study more about SPD and my class. It will be an adventure!