Welcome to guest blogger and Occupational Therapist: Marina Scott, MS, OTR/L
Are you puzzled by a child who struggles to focus or seems overwhelmed by everyday sensations? You're not alone.
As OT practitioners, we are often asked many questions about sensory processing and attention. We also receive referrals for both concerns. As expectations for children continue to grow at a fast pace, attention and sensory processing remain at the forefront. As OT practitioners, how do we support students struggling with sensory processing, attention, or both? How do we determine whether the challenge is sensory-related or attention-related, as they can often present similarly in children? With so many questions surrounding this topic, it can be easy to get lost in the vast amount of information available.
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By the end of this blog, you will have a better understanding to:- Distinguishing sensory processing and attention challenges in children.
- Evidence-based occupational therapy strategies for sensory and attention support in schools.
- The power of collaboration between OT practitioners, educators, and families.
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As OT practitioners, it is essential to follow the guidance the American Occupational Therapy Association provides, along with our specific knowledge and experience in this area. We are well-equipped to support children, teachers, and caregivers in navigating attention and sensory processing challenges.
- Understanding the subtle yet significant differences between sensory processing and attention difficulties is the first step towards effective intervention.
Sensory Processing Challenges: These involve difficulties in how the brain receives, interprets, and responds to sensory information. This can manifest in various ways:
- Sensory Modulation: Difficulty regulating responses to stimuli (e.g., overreacting to noise or touch, under-responding to pain).
- Sensory Discrimination: Difficulty distinguishing between different sensory inputs (e.g., struggling to identify objects by touch).
- Sensory-Based Motor Challenges: Difficulties with motor skills due to sensory processing issues (e.g., clumsiness, poor coordination).
- Seeking or Avoiding Behaviors: Actively seeking out intense sensory experiences or avoiding certain sensations altogether.
- Difficulties with Transitions: Challenges adapting to changes in routines or environments.
Attention-Related Difficulties: These often involve challenges with executive functioning skills, which are the cognitive processes that help us plan, organize, and manage tasks. Key aspects include:
Sustained Attention: Difficulty focusing on a task for an extended period.
- Selective Attention: Difficulty filtering out distractions and focusing on relevant information.
- Impulsivity: Acting without thinking or planning.
- Working Memory: Difficulty holding and manipulating information in the mind.
- Cognitive Flexibility: Difficulty shifting between tasks or adapting to new situations.
Occupational therapy practitioners utilize a range of evidence-based strategies to support students facing sensory processing and attention challenges within the educational setting.
Sensory-Based Interventions:
- Sensory Diets: Providing individualized schedules of sensory activities to help regulate a child's sensory system throughout the day (e.g., weighted vests, fidget toys, movement breaks).
- Environmental Modifications: Adapting the classroom or learning environment to reduce sensory overload or provide necessary sensory input (e.g., quiet corners, visual schedules, appropriate lighting).
- Movement-Based Activities: Incorporating physical activities to improve focus and sensory regulation (e.g., jumping jacks, chair push-ups, balancing tasks).
Attention and Executive Functioning Strategies:
- Visual Supports: Using visual aids like timers, checklists, and graphic organizers to improve organization and task completion.
- Executive Functioning Skill Instruction: Explicitly teaching strategies for planning, organizing, time management, and self-monitoring.
- Mindfulness and Self-Regulation Techniques: Teaching students how to recognize their emotional states and use strategies to manage their attention and behavior.
- Task Modifications: Breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
Effective support for students with sensory processing and attention needs requires strong collaboration between occupational therapists, teachers, and caregivers.
OT Practitioner's Role in Collaboration: OT practitioners bring specialized knowledge in sensory processing and its impact on function. They can:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify underlying challenges.
- Develop individualized intervention plans and strategies.
- Provide training and support to teachers and caregivers.
- Monitor student progress and adjust interventions as needed.
Teacher's Role in Collaboration: Teachers provide valuable insights into a student's performance in the classroom and can:
- Implement recommended sensory and attention strategies within daily routines.
- Provide feedback on the effectiveness of interventions.
- Communicate observations and concerns to the OT practitioners and caregivers.
- Caregiver's Role in Collaboration: Caregivers offer crucial information about a child's functioning outside of school and can:
- Implement strategies at home to promote consistency.
- Share observations and concerns with the OT practitioners and teachers.
- Actively participate in the development and implementation of intervention plans.
Empowering Students Through Understanding and Collaboration
• Accurately distinguishing between sensory processing and attention challenges is crucial for targeted support.
• Occupational therapy offers a range of practical, evidence-based strategies for both sensory and attention needs.
• Collaborative partnerships between OT practitioners, educators, and families are essential for student success.
Share this post with colleagues and parents who may find this information helpful!
Explore our other blog posts on related topics and learn from other occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and students who are passionate about OT.
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