Sensory Processing Disorder Note: This presentation will be used in a training session to teach special education teachers strategies to help improve the quality of life of students with SPD. Sensory Processing Disorder By: Miriam Castro- Campos

What is Sensory Processing Disorder? “Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as "sensory integration dysfunction") is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responses. Pioneering occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively.”

What is Sensory Processing Disorder? Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O6Cm0WxEZA

What does Sensory Processing Disorder Look Like? Processing Disorder can affect people in only one sense–for example, just touch or just sight or just movement–or in multiple senses. One person with SPD may over-respond to sensation and find clothing, physical contact, light, sound, food, or other sensory input to be unbearable. Another might under-respond and show little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain or extreme hot and cold. In children whose sensory processing of messages from the muscles and joints is impaired, posture and motor skills can be affected. These are the "floppy babies" who worry new parents and the kids who get called "klutz" and "spaz" on the playground. Still other children exhibit an appetite for sensation that is in perpetual overdrive. These kids often are misdiagnosed - and inappropriately medicated - for ADHD.

Treatment Sensory Processing Disorder can be treated by occupational therapists using a sensory integration approach. Students are often taught in “OT gyms” where students’ senses are constantly stimulated and challenged

Today’s Focus Today we are going to learn about some strategies that can be used to address the needs of those students in our classroom who constantly seek stimulation and who have difficulty regulating their energy levels. Some of these students are often hyper and seem to have an endless supply of energy. Some may even be misdiagnosed with having ADD or ADHD.

Strategy 1: Use Stress Balls A stress ball is one tool that is used to combat stress; it is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can be easily squeezed to decrease muscular and emotional tension, according to the Stress, Anxiety and Depression Resource Tension Release: When you squeeze a stress ball, you create tension in your muscles. Upon releasing your grip, your muscles relax. According to the Stress, Anxiety and Depression Resource Center, "this process of acute muscle tension and relaxation can flush out muscle tension and relieve stress." As you squeeze the stress ball and tense and relax your muscles, breathe deeply in order to help yourself relax fully. Attention Diversion: You can tense and relax any of your muscles to help relax. However, by focusing on squeezing and releasing a stress ball, you are diverting your attention away from the source of your stress. Therefore, your mind stabilizes, helping you to relax and focus with the release of piled-up mental energy due to stress. The benefits that a stress ball provides by diverting your attention are similar to the effects of mediation. Nerve Stimulation: By squeezing a stress ball, you stimulate the nerves in your hands. These nerves carry a signal to your brain, especially to the limbic area. The limbic area is the part of your brain that is linked to emotions. Also, this brain stimulation results in the production of endorphins, natural chemicals that act as relaxers and natural pain relievers.

Strategy 2: Use Micro-bead Items Students can use them to help them relax Massages hands as students press against them They are very light and can be carried anywhere Come in different shapes and sizes and can be motivating to students Teachers should go over rules

Working with clay/play dough improves students’ fine motor skills Strategy 3: Incorporate the use of clay/play dough in classroom activities Working with clay/play dough improves students’ fine motor skills Using clay/play dough helps students relax Clay stimulates their senses Students have the liberty to create anything they want, which stimulates their creativity

Strategy 4: Use Bungee Cords When students have an overload of energy, it may be a good idea to tie a bungee cord across the two legs of their chair Students can sit there and kick or place their foot over the bungee cord which helps release energy Improves their focus Students are more likely to remain in their seat

Strategy 5: GUM! Gum requires work to chew it Increases oral stimulation Increases sensory stimulation Cheap and accessible Comes in different flavors and can be used as a reinforcer

Strategy 6: Use Hand Weights Have students carry small hand weights when they are going out for a walk It is both challenging and stimulating to students to walk with hand wights Helps release energy Encourages students to move more cautiously You can make your own weights by taking an empty bottle or small pillow case and filling it in with sand

Let’s try it… 9 8 10 12 13 7 11 5 1 End 2 3 30 4 6 14 25 24 26 27 29 28 23 22 17 16 18 19 21 20 15 Let’s have a volunteer walk in place without the weights. How does it feel? Now, walk in place with the weights. How does it feel now?

Discuss Turn and Talk to someone next/around you Discussion questions… What are some things you learned? What are some strategies you plan on using? What are some pros and cons of these strategies?

Resources: http://www.sinetwork.org/about-sensory-processing-disorder.htm http://www.ehow.com/how_4730127_calm-children-sensory-processing-disorder.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O6Cm0WxEZA http://www.sensoryprocessing.info/games/games-6-weights.html