Sensory Integration

Your body uses visual, auditory (sound), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and proprioception (pressure on the joints) senses to function in everyday life. Problems arise when your body has difficulty processing and transferring these senses from the environment to the body and vice versa. 

Incorporating sensory strategies and manipulating the environment can help an individual process their environment in a more effective and comfortable way. 

Classroom Accommodations for Sensory Needs: 

Environment:

• Use of natural light as much as possible

• Blue light filter overlays for classroom fluorescent lights

• Minimize visual clutter as much as possible

• Label areas and supplies

• Section off areas or provide visual boundaries

• Provide visual schedules- picture/word

• Calming music

• Aromatherapy

Furniture:

• Alternate seating options like standing desks, study carols, ball seats

• Rocking seats

• Beanbags

• Scoop seats

• Containers of sensory-friendly items

• Elastic bands to rest feet on at bottom of desk legs

• Large plastic containers as alternate seating

• Desks should be the appropriate size for students. Knees should be at a 90-degree angle.

Home Accommodations:

• Aromatherapy

• Visual schedules pictures/words

• Sensory-friendly room or area of the house with sensory materials

• Weighted blankets

• Soft lighting for bedrooms

• Large plastic containers as alternate seating

A fantastic resource for everything sensory including free assessments and printables, visit: www.sensationalbrain.com