Heavy Work Activities for Proprioceptive Input in the Classroom - For Kids With Sensory Issues

All children, but particularly those with sensory processing disorder, can benefit from movement activities in the classroom that provide input to the proprioceptive receptors in the joints and ligaments. In addition to providing exercise, these types of "heavy work" movements make it easier for the child to focus and attend. For the child with SPD, it's vital to get proprioceptive and deep pressure input throughout the course of the day as part of what's called a "sensory diet" of activities. It is not enough to get plenty of exercise and calming input before or after school, or during one session of OT. Most children with SPD need to be encouraged and guided to get the input they need throughout the course of the day.

There are many ways to help kids get this input within an ordinary classroom and school building. The child who is a sensory seeker will likely eagerly participate and even find her own ways to get the input she senses her body needs (be sure to guide her in finding appropriate activities, though). In contrast, the child with sensory issues who is underaroused or a sensory avoider may have to be reminded to follow the sensory diet the OT has set up. In either case, while it is great to provide opportunities for input, a child who isn't disciplined or self-motivated enough to carry out a sensory diet on her own will definitely need guidance to ensure that it happens. Given that the alternative is a child who is unfocused, becoming more anxious and agitated, and moving toward sensory overload and a fight-or-flight panic reaction such as aggression or total withdrawal, implementing a sensory diet during the school day during the school day is crucial.

When you integrate these activities into the classroom routine, and other children may participate as well, it helps the child with SPD to not feel quite so different or singled out. If the child is the only one doing the activity, give it a positive spin. Let her be the "playground equipment monitor," carrying the balls and equipment to and from the playground, or the "whiteboard monitor" who erases the whiteboard at the end of each day. You might even have a team of kids, including the children with sensory issues, in charge of washing desks or helping the janitor, and give them an honorary name such as the "clean crew." All of these strategies will reduce the stigma for the sensory child who must have an in-school sensory diet in order to stay focused.

Remember, the child who is focused on the discomfort in her body and her urge to move may be polite and obedient, appearing to pay attention when, in reality, her mind is not on what the teacher is saying. By incorporating a sensory diet tailored to the sensory child's specific, unique needs by a sensory smart school or private OT, you make it far easier for her to focus on what we would all like her to focus on: learning! If the child is verbal, be sure to include her in the setting up of a sensory diet. What works for one child may not work for another.

And check in regularly to be sure that she's really getting the benefit of the activities set up for her, and make it a goal to have her advocate for herself and meet her sensory needs in a socially acceptable way.

Here are some easy ways to get proprioceptive and deep pressure input within a classroom and school environment (of course, the playground and gym offer plenty more activities during recess and gym time, too):

* Move stacks of books

* Deliver items from one classroom to another place in the building (especially if it requires carrying something and climbing stairs)

* Stack items, such as reams of paper, books, or storage bins

* Erase blackboards and whiteboards

* Move chairs or tables, put chairs on top of tables at the end of the day and take them down at the beginning of the day

* Wash desks or cafeteria tables

* Set up and put away folding chairs and tables

* Carry bins of lunchboxes into and out of cafeteria

* Empty wastebaskets, sweep, mop

* Sharpen pencils with an old-fashioned, crank pencil sharpener

* Assist gym teacher or playground supervisor with taking out and putting away equipment such as bags full of balls, mats, scooters, etc.

* Do laps around the gym or playground

* Climb stairs

* Cut cardboard and heavy paper card stock

* Do pushups against the wall

* Do chair push ups (holding the chair on either side as you sit, then pushing up to lift the body)

* Bounce while sitting on an exercise ball (loose or in a holder)

* Press legs against a lycra band stretched around chair or desk legs

* Sit on an inflatable cushion such as the Disc O' Sit

* Walk up a ramp or incline such as a wheelchair ramp or hill on the playground

* Hold open heavy doors, or open them for individuals entering or exiting the building

* Push or drag boxes, carts, or furniture across carpeted floor.

Nancy Peske is a professional writer and editor and the mother of a child diagnosed with sensory processing disorder and multiple developmental delays. She is the coauthor of the award-winning book Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues and has been active in the special needs community since 2002. She sends out a weekly newsletter of practical tips for parents and provides helpful information on SPD on her website at http://www.sensorysmartparent.com

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Language Issues - Key Elements on Your Autism Symptoms Checklist

When going through your mental autism symptoms checklist, there are many things that you should look for. One such thing is the child's use of language.

Odd Use of Language - a Classic Symptom in Kids With Autism

Kids with autism tend to use language in a very odd kind of way. Some take a while to say anything. Others will reverse pronouns, saying "You want a cookie" when they mean that they want a cookie.

Echolalia is Another Autism Symptom to Look For

Echolalia means that a child repeats sentences and phrases that they have heard from TV shows or movies in order to communicate. They can often memorize whole passages, and later on will quote them at whim or in response to a question.

Many times, the echolalic response does not make sense in regards to the question, but often a child will have what is sometimes called "functional echolalia," where the responses will actually answer the question, but albeit in a very bizarre way. This stems from the child's inability to come up with their own original sentences and language, so they try to use things they've heard other places to answer.

On your checklist of autism symptoms note this pattern. Ask yourself, "Can my child create original sentences easily or does he or she mirror what they hear?"

Many times this autism symptom is just seen as cute and sometimes this symptom can be missed if the echolalic phrases don't seem to out of the ordinary. It is not that the child doesn't have any original thoughts of his or her own, it is just that they are having trouble using language to express them. On your check list of autism symptoms, make sure that you listen carefully for this odd use of language...for it can point to autism at its core.

Expressive versus Receptive Language

Another issue that should be on your checklist of autism symptoms is the issue of expressive versus receptive language.

1. Expressive: Expressive means how well you can use language to express your thoughts. This also includes things like can you modulate your tone of voice, can you modify the prosody of your voice so different meanings are expressed with the same word, and so on.
2. Receptive: Receptive language is often harder, both to achieve and to measure. This means how well does your child understand language? Not just the words themselves, but all the hidden meanings behind them. Can they pick up on sarcasm? On gentle teasing or kidding? How well do they understand jokes? Can they understand if someone says one thing but means another? Most kids with autism are quite literal minded, and have trouble picking up on these things.

Recent Autism Research Shows the Brain's Influence

Recent research has shown that some of these problems are a result of the different sides of the brain not communicating or "syncing" up with each other very well. Either way, the effects can be difficult.

Communication is More Than Words

Many people with autism might be quite smart and have good vocabularies, but because they can't use body language or modify their tone of voice very well, a lot of time the intent of their message gets lost. Also, many people with autism have a "flat" tone of voice, and to the unaware, this is often interpreted as a lack of interest, or even a lack of intelligence or sensitivity, when this is often not the case at all.

When you're going over the autism symptoms checklist, be sure to check for any language problems that may exist.

Hopefully, with early identification and early treatment, life can be a little easier for those with autism and the people who love them. For additional tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life visit the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Kendall

Autism Symptoms in Children - Sensory Issues

What are some of the most common autism symptoms in children? Sensory issues. What are sensory issues? Sensory issues are when your child has all his senses turned to high. In other words, he is overly sensitive to noise, smells, lights, crowds, touch, and so on.

How does this autism symptom in children present itself? A child with autism who is sensitive to noise may scream in a crowd, cover his ears, or generally look agitated. He may not be able to concentrate in the classroom because of all the noise. He may get especially agitated at unexpected noises, such as fire alarms, fire trucks, sirens, and so on. The noise from a coffee grinder may even be enough to cause a meltdown (yelling and screaming.)

How to Minimize the Effect of These Autism Symptoms in Children

In these situations, you might try to only bring your child with autism to environments that will be reasonably quiet...when possible...and prepare him for the noise when this is not. iPods or earplugs, or both, can work wonders in this situation to minimize the effects of these autism symptoms.

Shopping Can Be Difficult

Sensitivity to crowds, bright lights or other visual information will become all too apparent when you try to shop in your local supermarket. Most children with autism have an awfully hard time with grocery stores. There is too much activity going on around them and it is hard for them to process it all. People chattering every which way, the noise of shopping carts squeaking, music and announcements over the PA system - these issues all trigger autism symptoms in children

Colors and shapes and so much visual information to take in can be over stimulating. Smells from the meat or fish departments, of perfume on others, or from cleaning materials can cause adverse reactions in some children with autism. If you have to bring your child to a grocery store, try to have something to distract them so that they don't get as overwhelmed.

Identifying these Autism Symptoms in Children

What are some other ways that you can tell if your child has sensory issues, which could be a symptom of autism? A lot of kids with autism have trouble with touch. They won't wear tight, restricting clothes, or clothes that are at all itchy. A lot of times they complain that the fabric just doesn't feel right. They often will need loose cotton clothes to be able to tolerate wearing clothes at all. If you find something that works, you should buy many different colors, because it may be hard to repeat in the future.

Avoidance of Physical Contact is one of the Common Autism Symptoms in Children

Many kids with autism will resist hugs and touching other people. They stiffen and avoid touch of any kind. Their skin is hypersensitive to what it encounters. Often, they will avoid getting dirty or playing outside because they don't like the feel of the dirt and ground on them. Many hate the beach because of the feel of the sand. Sensory integration therapy can help with this.

Sensory issues can be key autism symptoms in children to look out for, so you should take note if you notice any of the above.

Hopefully, with early identification and early treatment, life can be a little easier for those with autism and the people who love them. For additional tips and suggestions that can help your loved one live a fulfilling and happy life visit the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Kendall