Exploring Sensory Integration in Special Education: Benefits And Implementations

“Sensory integration” is a much-heard term. Have you ever wondered where and when we use Sensory Integration? We use it everywhere and anywhere. Most of us, are unaware of how our brain integrates our senses, unlike individuals who have been diagnosed with sensory integration disorder.

It is important to have a consultation with an Occupational Therapist for the strategies to be used in special schools by special educators to help integrate senses and enhance learning.

Some general problems that a student may face in a classroom and some general strategies to help in regulation are as under -

Visual Sense:

It can be hyper(over) sensitive or hypo (under)sensitive

Hypersensitive Visual Sense:

Dislikes bright colors, prefers dim lights, and does not like to read on smart boards.

Hyposensitive Visual Sense:

Seeking bright lights likes to watch blinking lights, Likes to play with moving toys, and keeps watching fans in the classroom.

General Strategies for Regulating Visual Sensory Systems in A Classroom:

• Finding small objects in a sensory bin.
• Simple matching games that require kids to notice details.
• Target games like hitting a ball suspended from the hook, ring toss.
• Some visual calming games could include Blindfold Walk, and sitting in a dark room.
• Some visual stimulating games like toys with flashlights, lighted bottles, and flashlight games.

Auditory Sense:

It can be hyper or hypo-sensitive.

Hyper Sensitive Auditory Sense:

Gets easily upset with loud sounds, sometimes even the aircon sounds bother them, get uncomfortable in a classroom with too many children.

Hyposensitive Auditory Sense:

Loves to hear different sounds, likes to hum or likes to talk when a classroom is quiet, and toys with different sounds.

General Strategies for Regulating The Auditory Sensory System in A Classroom:

• Handmade musical instruments like different shakers and drums can be used as positive reinforcement or part of a sensory diet, musical games like musical chairs, head, shoulders, knees game, Simon says.
• Some auditory calming equipment that can be used is noise-canceling headphones and a white noise machine (this should be done under advice from a professional).
• Some auditory stimulating activities are musical instruments and toys with sound, sometimes recording their own sounds and hearing it may help in regulation.

Tactile System:

It Can Be Hyper or Hypo-Sensitive.

Hypersensitive Sensory System:

Does not like it if the teacher touches them, do not like standing in line, avoids clay, and dirtying their hands.

Hyposensitive Tactile System:

Likes to feel things likes hugs, likes tactile play, likes small places.

General Strategies for Regulating Tactile Sensory Systems in A Classroom:

• Wet and dry sensory play (water beads, slime, kinetic sand, sensory bins)
• Some tactile calming activities are deep-pressure activities like pillow squishes and heavy blankets. Some tactile stimulating activities are crawling through tunnels, jumping and crashing, and sensory bins.
• Besides these there could be children with complaints of inability to sit and focus, always leaning, writing with a lot of pressure, and writing with no pressure. Some kids also have some oral sensitivities where they put everything in their mouth.

Sensory breaks like carrying and distributing books to children, board wiping responsibility, alternate sitting on a ball chair or a water bag, and writing with pen pencil when a child is observed putting a lot of pressure. While writing with a darker pencil or sketch pen initially, for children who write with no pressure. Animal walks, walking up and down the stairs with their school bag (the weight of the school bag should be decided by an Occupational therapist) For children seeking oral sensation, chewy tubes or chewy foods help in regulation.

All the above-mentioned strategies are general. For a more individualized plan and enhancing learning in Special schools, a team approach of all the professionals would be beneficial.

Sensory Integration principles can also be applied in the form of a sensory diet at home.

Special schools like Aditya Birla Integrated School having a multidisciplinary team consisting of a medical professional, Occupational therapist, Speech therapist, behavior therapist, counsellor, and Special educators would be an ideal choice for a child having Sensory Integration and Learning Difficulties.