I know I am not alone when I say that I struggle to sit through staff meetings without doodling on my paper, shifting in my seat, getting up to use the bathroom and occasionally whispering with my teacher friend next to me. Now, these are every other week, and only for an hour. Every time I leave, I […]
The Eight Sensory Systems
Learn everything you need to know about oral sensory processing: oral sensory seeking activities, sensory diet ideas, calming benefits for...
A blog for Preschool, Special Education and Autism for Behavior Management, Classroom ideas and Resources
Discover how to create a sensory self-soothing kit filled with items that cater to your sensory needs that help you to sensory regulate. Find inspiration, ideas for sensory tools, and step-by-step guidance to build a personalized sensory soothing toolkit for stress relief and to manage moments of se
One sensory system, often under-recognized but important, is the vestibular system. Download a free poster with vestibular activities.
Throughout the years there has been a point when each of our special needs kiddos NEEDED to chew, and nothing was going to stop them. Whether the need to chew was due to the constant need for sensory input or anxiety driven, we've found some amazing sensory resources for children who need to chew. This post includes affiliate links. Currently, Dinomite is my chewer. If I don't have resources on hand, LEGO pieces and tires inevitably end up in his mouth. We've even had an incident where he gave himself a laceration in his mouth. Needless to say we always make sure we have resources on hand. His favorite go to resources are the necklaces below. He wears them ALL THE TIME! I love that they're perfect for boys! The ARK's Brick Stick Textured Chew Necklace comes in multiple colors. There are also ones that are mild, extra tough, and extra extra tough to meet the needs of different types of chewers. If you have a LEGO lover, this is sure to be a hit! The Bumkins Dc Comics Silicone Teething Pendant, Batman Onyx is currently Dinomite's favorite. He wore it every day of our last vacation, and boy did it survive A LOT of chewing. THe Super Light Ruby River Rock-Teething Necklace by Zen Rocks is yet another favorite boy design for Dinomite. It's a great to add to the superhero rotation. The SHARK TOOTH Silicone Necklace for Teething Babies and Kids was Dinomite's first chew necklace, and will always be one he's very fond of. Princess also tends to chew on things, particularly her fingers. She has been thrilled to know there are chew necklaces just for her and her girlie fashion choices. What's not to like about the Siliconies Froggy Pendant - Silicone Necklace? It's perfect for Spring. The Siliconies Turtle Pendant - Silicone Necklace comes in multiple colors, but of course Princess chose pink. The Stimtastic Chewable Silicone Round Pendant is one of those stylish necklaces that will go with just about anything, especially if it's purple. Princess loves the Dolphin Silicone Necklace for Teething Babies and Kids, as the dolphin is one of her favorite animals. Some children will not wear necklaces. In these cases other chewing resources may help. Check out these pencil toppers. My husband jokes that I need some of these as I'm constantly chewing on pen caps. Lol. You'll notice that there are multiple color and hardness options for girls and boys. GoGoChews Chewable Pencil Toppers-Boy Colors Chewable Pencil Topper-Girl Colors ARK's Krypto-Bite Chewable Pencil Topper Tubes-Boy Colors ARK's Krypto-Bite Chewable Pencil Topper Tubes-Girl Colors The first kiddo that NEEDED to chew was Bulldozer. When he was a young toddler he would chew his shirts until they were completely soaked. Luckily he wasn't strong enough to chew through them. Our OT at the time gave us some of these chew resources to use. Little did I know at the time that there were so many choices and options within choices! The Chewy Stixx Oral Tubes Tough Bar---For children with aggressive biting habits comes in different strengths for different chewers. If you have a kiddo how chews with super strength try the Chewy Stixx Oral Tubes XL Extreme. For those kiddos who crave flavor, check out these options! Oh how I wish I had known they existed when Bulldozer wsa little. He would have LOVED the chocolate flavored one. Chocolate Flavor Grape Flavor Spearmint Flavor Lemon Flavor Orange Flavor Different children prefer different grasps and shapes in their mouth, so if the first option above doesn't work, you may want to try the CHEW STIXX ORAL CHEW. It also comes in different flavors and scents. GRAPE FLAVOR CHOCOLATE FLAVOR Orange Flavor MINT FLAVORED CITRUS SCENT Another option is the ARK's Textured Grabber XT - Extra Tough Sensory Oral Motor Chew Tool. It also comes in XXT (Xtra Xtra Tough) and Very Soft & Chewy. There are two scents available. Citrus Scented Berry Scented Your last option is Chewy Tubes. They come in Yellow, Green, Red, and Blue. The last two resources for children who need to chew on our list are Bulldozer's favorites from the past. He used them all the time. The Abilitations Integrations Chewlery Chewable Jewelry - Set of 7 Necklaces - Assorted Colors is perfect for young kiddos. Bulldozer actually wore them around his waist, so when he went to grap his shirt, he grapped them instead. The Abilitations Integrations Chewlery Chewable Jewelry - Set of 7 - Assorted Colors Abilitations were perfect to wear on his sleeve for when he tried to chew there. I absolutely love the texture of these. They're kind of like old telephone cords. The kiddos love to stretch them as well. If you have a child who NEEDS to chew or bite, one or more of the options above can help. I know they've helped our kiddos a ton! If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy the posts below. Sensory Oriented Anxiety Kits for Children Oral Stimuli in the Classroom Autism Support and Resources Special Dietary Needs Support and Resources
Resources, tips, and materials to help you, help children with autism
Understanding sensory dysregulation is key to getting a handle on all things sensory processing and meltdowns. Use these tips and supports.
Sensory Soothing Exercises, Sensory Worksheets, Autism Workbook, Neurodivergent Worksheets, Autistic Burnout, ADHD workbook, Sensory Kit 🌟 Sensory Soothing Worksheet Bundle for Neurodivergent Individuals 🌟 Are you seeking a sanctuary from the sensory overload of daily life? Look no further! Introducing our exclusive Sensory Soothing Worksheet Bundle, meticulously crafted to support neurodivergent individuals in navigating their unique sensory landscapes and reclaiming peace amidst the chaos. 🧩 What's Included: Sensory Profile Guide: Dive deep into understanding your sensory preferences and triggers with our comprehensive sensory profile worksheet. Explore the intricacies of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity, gaining insight into how your sensory system operates. Sensory Soothing Techniques: Unveil an array of soothing strategies tailored to your sensory needs. From gentle grounding exercises to calming sensory stimulations, this collection offers a toolkit for finding serenity in any environment. Emotional Awareness Worksheets: Enhance your emotional intelligence with exercises designed to help you recognize and understand your feelings. Navigate the complexities of emotions with clarity and compassion, fostering greater self-awareness and resilience. Energy Accounting: Learn to manage your energy reserves effectively with our energy accounting worksheet. By tracking your energy expenditure and identifying energy-draining activities, you can cultivate a balanced lifestyle that guards against burnout. Please note this is a digital download, no physical files will be shipped to you.
Discover how to create a sensory self-soothing kit filled with items that cater to your sensory needs that help you to sensory regulate. Find inspiration, ideas for sensory tools, and step-by-step guidance to build a personalized sensory soothing toolkit for stress relief and to manage moments of se
A blog for Preschool, Special Education and Autism for Behavior Management, Classroom ideas and Resources
Over 80 amazing, simple proprioceptive activities for kids. Learn benefits of proprioceptive input to calm, focus, and alert.
Christmas sensory gift ideas from a fellow mom to help you find the best gifts for your child with Sensory Processing Disorder!
Sensory Processing Disorder affects people in an array of different ways. How does it affect your child’s sense of taste and ability to eat? The Gustatory (Taste) Sense
If your child suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder, does this mean she may also be autistic? Read more about autism sensory integration and SPD.
When your child has sensory processing disorder, or just sensory issues, even homeschooling can be challenging. Here are some tools and tips to help.
Executive Functioning IEP Goal Bank including: organization, time management, problem solving, planning, task initiation, self-monitoring, adaptable thinking.
Visual Prompts, Visual Schedules and Visual Supports for Children with Special Needs: Classroom Adaptations for Visual Learners via RainbowsWithinReach
Reducing Problem Behaviour using a function based intervention. Here I combined the first and then with the three star reward token boards and came up with this Behaviour Management Tool. Everythin…
Encourage cognitive and language development with these fun, everyday learning activities for toddlers.
Sensory Breaks: Supporting Neurodiverse Students in the Classroom In today’s diverse classrooms, recognising and accommodating the sensory needs of all students, including those who are neurodivergent, is crucial for fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Regular sensory breaks throughout the school day are essential for helping students regulate their nervous systems and maintain focus ... Read more
Caring for a child with FASD (fetal alcohol specturm disorder) is draining. Here are ten ways to help a child with FASD without losing your mind.
A blog about autism resources and support from a special ed teacher with first-hand experience.
A person with Sensory Processing Disorder struggles every day with common tasks that the rest of us take for granted. Here are ten things you should avoid saying!
Help kids learn impulse control skills using these practical strategies to support development of executive functioning.
(This post contains affiliate links.)Hi everyone! It's back to school time and I'm sure you're busy getting all your classrooms prepared and supplies organized. I work with students all year round, but I certainly use
Do you know a child who seems to always have something in their hands? They're always touching something? These hacks for a fidgety child might be just what you need!
Executive Functions serve as a command and control function. Think of your brain as a conductor directing an orchestra. Throughout the day we use these executive skills. For children, this could…
NEWSLETTER ONE SCHEMAS OF PLAY SERIES
Many parents and therapists alike can be perplexed by whether or not a child’s behaviors are resulting from sensory issues or behavior driven.
Interplay Theatre has announced their first Sensory Theatre Symposium, which will explore the latest in sensory theatre,
How to make a calm down kit or box for kids plus a free printable list of calming tools and things to put in your child's kit
These posters provide knowledge, understanding, inspiration and direction for children and adults with dyslexia. Enjoy our Dyslexia Posters Free.
