sensory processing considerations for abe learners susan spear, phd, otr/l coabe march 18, 2014
TRANSCRIPT
Sensory Processing Considerations for ABE Learners
Susan Spear, PhD, OTR/LCOABEMarch 18, 2014
COABE focus:To meet 21st century demands
what should take place in the 21st century adult education classroom and why?
What does an adult education system built for student learning look like and why?
How does this topic connect?What is occupational therapy?
History of occupational therapy in schools and with people in the “student” role
Let’s talk:What do you already know about
sensory processing?
What do you want to know?
Quiz:
How many senses do we have?
What are they?
Sight (Visual)
Hearing (Auditory)
Taste (Gustatory)
Touch (Tactile)
Smell (Olfactory)
PLUS…….
Balance/Equilibrium (Vestibular)
Joint stability/Position in space (Proprioception)
***External vs. Internal input***
Sensory Processing
INPUT THROUGHPUT OUTPUT
How does sensory processing connect to school performance?
Cognitive skills start at level of brain arousal
What factors do you think affect brain arousal?
Interaction of arousal and attention
Attention
Arousal
And arousal determines the effectiveness of the remaining hierarchy of brain functions:
arousal attention memory
information
processing
Information
Processing
Memory
Attention
Arousal
Our brains seek stability in arousal and will adapt….somehow!How might this look in the
classroom?◦chewing pen/pencil◦jiggling legs/feet◦leaning back in chair◦fidgeting with items in hands◦moving mouth/making noises/humming◦distracted/daydreaming◦taking lots of breaks◦others??
Sensory input can be manipulated to support effective arousal levels
Overstimulated Stable Input should be calming, grounding:
slow, rhythmic movement like rocking, pacing tends toward body flexion resistive, “heavy” work provides stabilizing input to
joints and results in feelings of overall stability
Understimulated Stable Input should be exciting, alerting:
fast irregular movements tends toward body extension
What can this look like in the ABE classroom?Seating/postural adaptations
◦Chairs with wheels or tennis balls on legs; therapy balls for seating;
◦Standing, moving during class work; stretching/movement breaks
Visual Stimulation/Lighting◦Moderate visual stimulation in room
decor◦Provide areas with task lighting;
allow hats to reduce fluorescent glare
What can this look like in the ABE classroom?Taste/oral input
◦ Mints, cinnamon candy = alerting◦ Butterscotch candy = calming◦ Chewing gum/coffee stirrers = proprioceptive
input that can support focused attentionSound
◦ Noise-cancelling headphones to reduce distraction from ambient noise
Touch◦ Hand fidgets◦ Chair push-ups
Others?
TerminologySensory:
◦Preference
◦Modulation
◦Diet
Sensory self-assessment
ResourcesAmerican Occupational Therapy
Association, www.aota.orgOT Innovations,
www.ot-innovations.comHeller, S. (2003). Too Loud, Too
Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory Defensive in an Overstimulating World, Harper Perennial
Contact information:◦Susan Spear