Practical Sensory Strategies, Part 2 (Bi-Borough)

Event information

Course Description

This is a two-part training with the first session held in-person and the second session online. Sensory regulation is one of the main areas we give advice to school staff when we visit students. Many students need help with regulating their energy level and how different typed of sensory input makes them feel, but only a small number qualify for OT services.

This training course is aimed to help teachers and school staff to understand sensory processing and sensory regulation, its impact on learning and general functioning, and how to implement effective sensory strategies in school.

During the session, we will look into the different 8 senses of our body, how sensory processing happens, sensory thresholds and the possible responses to sensory input, sensory regulation programmes and regulation strategies.

Our Paediatric Occupational Therapists, will also be available to answer your specific questions about sensory processing and regulation and address any current issues you find challenging.

Sensory regulation is integral to our pupils' learning and a commonly requested area for Occupational Therapy advice and support across the Bi-Borough. Many students need help with regulating their energy levels throughout the school and can find the abundance of sensory input within the school environment overwhelming. Others may find the sensory input is not enough to manage their brain and body needs and miss sensory input throughout their day. Not all pupils with sensory processing challenges are known to the Occupational Therapy services, or they may not meet the threshold for specialist input. Therefore, our SEN OT team is providing an in person training course to support teachers and support school staff to understand sensory processing and sensory regulation. We will identify sensory processing challenges and define sensory regulation and explore the impact these can have on learning and general everyday engagement and participation. We will also explore sensory aids and impart our expert knowledge on how to implement effective sensory strategies in the school day, exploring cost effective and everyday resources you will commonly find within the school and class environment.

During the sessions, we will explore the 8 senses of our body, sensory processing and sensory processing challenges, commonly observed adverse responses to sensory input, sensory regulation and energy levels as well as practical strategies to support pupils in their regulation journey.

Our Paediatric Occupational Therapists will be available to answer specific questions about sensory processing and regulation and help navigate current challenges within your classroom and school environments with their expert Occupational Therapy knowledge in the area of sensory processing and regulation.

What will be covered?

This training will aim to cover:

• How sensory processing, the 8 senses and sensory regulation
• How the different senses impact our sensory regulation and energy levels leading to dysregulation
• Explore your own sensory preferences and sensitivities and reflect on how they can impact your sensory regulation
• Understand sensory thresholds and patterns, and how they influence behavioural responses to sensory input
• Emotional regulation and how it is related to sensory regulation
• Sensory Regulation programmes and strategies: Autism Level UP!, movement breaks, sensory aids and equipment, and sensory circuits

Outcomes

By the end of this training, you will:

• Have an overview of sensory processing and how it impacts learning.
• Understand and recognise the different sensory thresholds and patterns to sensory stimuli that impact pupils in everyday life. eg. sensory seeking v sensory avoiding.
• Understand what is meant by 'calm-alert' and have knowledge of sensory strategies that can help children reach this state.
•  "Take home" practical strategies to support your pupil/s in their sensory regulation journey when navigating their school day.