SPD

5 Sensory-Friendly Curiosity Approach Ideas for Special Needs Education

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5 Sensory-Friendly Curiosity Approach Ideas for Special Needs Education 1

The Curiosity Approach, which prioritizes child-led, play-based learning to spark creativity and exploration, aligns seamlessly with sensory-friendly strategies. Below are five carefully curated, sensory-friendly ideas rooted in the Curiosity Approach, designed to develop engagement, creativity, and learning for students with special needs. Each idea is grounded in evidence-based practice, drawing on research in sensory processing … Read more

Proprioceptive Play: Activities to Help Your Child Understand Their Body in Space

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Proprioceptive Play: Activities to Help Your Child Understand Their Body in Space 2

Why some children seem to know exactly where they are while others bump into everything – and what we can do about it You know that child in your setting – the one who seems to have no idea how much space their body takes up? They bump into furniture, knock things over, and seem … Read more

9 Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Home

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9 Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Home 3

9 Simple Ways to Adapt Your Home for Sensory Success Home should be a sanctuary, a place of comfort and calm where everyone feels safe and understood. But for a child with sensory processing differences, even the most loving home can sometimes feel like a bewildering obstacle course or a cacophony of overwhelming sensations. The … Read more

8 Essential Communication Strategies for Noisy Classrooms

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Effective Communication Strategies for Noisy Classrooms: A Guide for Teachers and Students with Sensory Processing Needs Schools are naturally noisy places. From bustling hallways to chattering cafeterias, classroom noise can make learning challenging for everyone, but especially for students with sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other sensory sensitivities. This comprehensive guide provides practical communication strategies … Read more

Early Intervention OT and Developmental Delays

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Early Intervention OT and Developmental Delays: Helping Kids Build Essential Skills Early intervention occupational therapy (OT) can be a game changer for children with developmental delays. When children struggle with everyday tasks like eating, dressing, or playing, OT offers targeted help that builds their ability to take care of themselves and participate in daily activities. … Read more

7 Signs of Sensory Overload in the Classroom (Free Tool)

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7 Signs of Sensory Overload in the Classroom (Free Tool) 6

Sensory Overload in the Classroom: Free Sensory Friendly Classroom Rating Tool Classrooms are busy, noisy, and full of sensory input. For many children, this environment is manageable. But for pupils with sensory processing difficulties, it can be overwhelming. When a child experiences sensory overload, they may react in ways that seem defiant, withdrawn, or unpredictable. … Read more

Sensory Circuit Planning Tool

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Sensory Circuit Planning Tool 7

Free Sensory Circuit Planning Tool With Examples A sensory Circuit is a personalised, person-centred plan designed to provide individuals with sensory experiences that support their self-regulation and sensory processing. These interventions are not about “fixing” or “normalising” sensory differences but rather about honouring and supporting each person’s unique sensory preferences and needs. For neurodivergent individuals, … Read more

Vestibular Stimming: A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Regulatory Behaviour

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Vestibular Stimming: A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Regulatory Behaviour 8

Vestibular Stimming: Self-Regulation and More Vestibular stimming, also known as vestibular self-stimulatory behaviour, is a type of repetitive movement that provides sensory input to the vestibular system, which is responsible for our sense of balance and spatial orientation. Many individuals, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or sensory processing … Read more

10 Brilliant Sensory Activities for Autistic Teenagers

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Simple Sensory Activities for Autistic Teenagers at Home What Are Sensory Activities? Sensory activities engage the senses, including sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, motion, and balance. These activities can vary from simple exercises like listening to soothing music to more complex setups like sensory circuits. They are beneficial for autistic teenagers as they aid sensory … Read more

Water Play in EYFS: Educational Benefits and Age-Appropriate Activities

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Water Play in EYFS: Educational Benefits and Age-Appropriate Activities 10

The Educational Benefits of Water Play at School Water play is not just a splashing good time—it’s a crucial element in early childhood education that supports holistic development. According to a study published in the Journal of Early Childhood Research, children engaged in regular water play activities showed a 32% improvement in problem-solving skills compared … Read more

Sensory Processing: Creating a First Aid Kit

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This post on sensory processing was inspired by a talk I attended by Olga Bogdishana. You can find the slides from her presentation on “Making sense of Sensory Needs and Challenging Behaviour” here. She has also written this book which gives a deeper insight into sensory perceptual issues. Sensory processing is a key part of … Read more

Case Study: Hot Weather and Behaviour

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heat and autism case study

How would hot weather influence behaviour? This seemed apt to post now as the country simmers slowly beneath the summer sun. This post is based on observations and frequency data over a shorter period of hot weather. Whilst analysing the behavioural incident data records a spike in frequency for a specific group of 9 students … Read more