THE SENSORY MADE SIMPLE PODCAST

Transcript

Hello, welcome back to episode number 39 of the Food Explorers Podcast and our fourth episode of the Back to School series.

Last week, I mentioned that we would be focusing on handwriting in this episode.

But as you can see from the title, that's not the case.

I'm sorry for the bait and switch, but I do have a good reason for it.

When I was planning the handwriting episode, I really wanted to do this one with a second occupational therapist because I thought that would be a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, the OT that was supposed to come on to the podcast had a family emergency and so we weren't able to get her booked.

So I planned to do the episode alone.

However, last minute, I connected with a new OT friend who specializes specifically in handwriting, which I am so excited about.

I've been through her website and her social media pages and she definitely knows what she is talking about.

So your handwriting episode is still coming, but it will come out next week instead.

Get excited because I just know this is going to be such a value-packed episode for you.

But don't you worry, so was our episode today.

Today we're focusing on how to help a child who struggles to sit still in the classroom.

We touched on this briefly in our sensory strategies for the classroom episode, but I knew there was much more for us to talk about.

Sitting still is a common challenge for children with sensory processing difficulties for a variety of reasons.

Unfortunately, it often leads to them getting disciplined, yelled at, or labeled as disruptive in the classroom, which makes them less excited and motivated to participate or go to school.

As I mentioned in our sensory strategies episode, I don't believe that schools are really set up to support the sensory system adequately.

Children are expected to sit for so many hours, and our body naturally craves movement.

However, these are the demands of the classroom, and to perform well in school, children need to be able to adjust and fulfill those demands.

However, if your child has an IEP, they may have an exception where we can change the demands to meet their needs.

Now, I do want to acknowledge that there can be an array of reasons outside of sensory processing that can make sitting still a challenge, like ADHD.

But those are not my specialty.

For the purpose of this episode, we are going to focus on sensory processing.

However, something really interesting is that there is a strong correlation between ADHD and sensory processing.

So sensory strategies may still very well be helpful for children with other diagnoses, like ADHD.

Let's talk about a couple reasons that a child may have trouble sitting still.

Hint, it's not usually because they are just trying to be difficult.

Number one, their body is seeking or needs more vestibular or proprioceptive input.

Depending on your child's sensory profile, their body may crave more vestibular or proprioceptive input.

For those of you who are new to me, two of our hidden senses are our vestibular and proprioceptive senses.

Vestibular input is our head and body movement, and proprioceptive input is considered compression or traction of our joints or changes in the position of our muscles.

So for example, a child who is rocking in their chair may be trying to get extra vestibular input by swinging back and forth in the chair, or proprioceptive input from compression of their joints every time the chair hits the floor very hard.

Or maybe a child's body is feeling really sluggish and sleepy.

They may be craving standing up and walking to the bathroom or moving around the classroom in order to wake their body up a bit.

They would get vestibular input from moving forward and walking and proprioceptive input from their feet hitting the ground with each step.

Number two, their muscles may not have enough endurance or strength to hold them up in their chair for prolonged periods of time.

This is one that is missed so much.

Even when we're not paying attention, our muscles are activated to help keep us upright and from falling down.

However, when a child has sensory processing challenges, their muscles may not be getting the message from the brain to stay activated, or they may not have the endurance to stay activated for long enough.

In this case, we see a child who is shifting in their chair very often.

Maybe they're slumped to the side or even sitting on the edge of the chair.

To a teacher, this may look like a child isn't listening or is being disruptive.

But in reality, they're trying their best to activate their muscles and compensate the best way they know how.

And if you're not able to sit upright and hold up your posture, it's really hard to focus your eyes on the teacher or the board.

Number three, they may be seeking touch, sound, or other sensory input.

Similar to our proprioceptive and vestibular sense, our other sensory systems, like touch and sound, can crave input.

So a child may drum on their table or reach out and touch the child in front of them in class.

It's not meant to be disruptive.

It's their brain and body trying to get the input it desperately needs to function and return to that just right spot for learning.

Number four, they may be over responsive to input.

On the other hand, maybe the amount of input going on in the classroom is just too much.

In this case, a child may move around to avoid it.

For example, maybe they're uncomfortable with how close their peer is to them, or their clothes feel funny, or the chair is too cold.

We might see a child shifting positions or moving to avoid input as much as possible.

And number five, their basic needs aren't met.

We don't function well when our basic needs aren't met.

And children with sensory processing challenges often have trouble with basic needs, like identifying the need to use the restroom, eating filling and nutritious foods, and getting a full night of sleep.

This can impact their focus and arousal levels in the classroom.

Now, let's talk about some specific strategies to help organize the body and improve a child's ability to sit in their chair.

Number one, incorporate movement before and after school.

A couple weeks ago on the podcast, we talked about sensory diets and sensory toolboxes, and this is a great example of where this would come into play.

Something really cool about movement is that it can be used both to wake up and calm the body by offering both vestibular and proprioceptive input.

It's truly a game changer for children who crave more input.

This could look like incorporating jumping jacks, obstacle courses, or crashing on pillows before school.

Other kids love being rolled up into a burrito.

Use some trial and error and see which kind of input your child not only enjoys, but also which organizes their body.

Number two, ask the teacher to incorporate movement at school.

While we can incorporate movement before and after school, the school day is long, and your child may need some movement breaks in between.

Speak to your teacher about how you can accommodate this without disrupting the classroom.

One strategy I love is teaching a child how to use a card or a hand sign that lets the teacher know their body needs some movement.

This movement can be an entire class game, a class break to move around the room, or something more individual, like allowing the child to walk to the bathroom and back.

Each teacher is going to feel different about this, so speak to them about what works for their classroom.

Number three, work on improving strength and coordination.

Unfortunately, we don't get a ton of referrals that specifically ask to improve strength, endurance, and coordination.

However, on most of my evaluations, I usually see some kind of strength deficit impacting a child's ability to sit in the classroom.

By improving their muscle strength and endurance, your child will be able to better hold themselves up in their seat without shifting positions constantly.

In these cases, I definitely recommend getting an occupational therapy evaluation so your child's unique needs can be determined.

If OT isn't an option for you, I also love after school activities like gymnastics and karate.

Number four, provide alternative seating.

As we discussed in our sensory strategies episode, alternative seating may be a useful tool for your child.

Wiggle cushions allow a child to achieve a bit of movement without getting out of their chair, as do therapy ball chairs.

Additionally, both of these options promote waking up of the postural muscles to help children stay sitting upright as opposed to slumping or shifting.

Number five, consider weighted lap toys.

If a child is craving deep pressure or proprioceptive input, weighted lap toys can give them that input and allow them to focus instead of rocking in their chair or banging on their desk.

However, it's really important not to choose a toy that is too heavy for your child, so I recommend working with an OT or asking for the school's OT input on this.

Number six, teach your child how to check in with their own body.

One of my favorite tools to use in occupational therapy sessions is the book, How Does Your Engine Run?

The focus of this book is helping children become aware of how their body is functioning throughout the day and request strategies that help them return to that just right spot.

Teaching your child to identify when their body is feeling like it needs something can help them fulfill that need and move on to focusing in the classroom.

This includes basic needs like hunger, need to use the restroom, and thirst.

It may also be useful to speak with your teacher about providing reminders for these.

Number seven, deep breathing.

We vastly underestimate the power of deep breathing.

When our body is too hot on our sensory thermometer, deep breathing can help kick our body back into rest and digest.

When it's feeling too cold, it can help wake it up.

I love teaching kids how to use deep breathing when they're feeling out of sync.

Number eight, allow standing.

We touched on this in our Sensory Strategies episode, but sometimes kids might do better if they're allowed to stand up during activities, especially children who are still working on building up their strength and stamina for sitting.

Teachers may initially be worried it might be disruptive, but there is a chance it could be the exact opposite for your child.

Number nine, minimizing distracting input.

If there is a certain sensory input that is distracting to your child, discuss with the teacher how this can be minimized.

For example, some children benefit from blinders around their desk, so they can focus squarely on the teacher.

Other children may need some extra room between themselves and their classmates.

Consider which sensory input is distracting and how we can decrease it so your child can focus on the task in front of them.

And number ten, fidgets.

Again, we discussed this briefly in our sensory strategies episode, but fidgets are a great way to provide tactile, visual, and proprioceptive input to children.

It takes some trial and error to figure out which ones may be best for your child.

I love using poppets, fidget cubes, Play-Doh, or even doodling.

Keep in mind, you can also practice these strategies at home with your child when they're doing their homework.

You may be tempted to ask them to sit the entire time, but keep notice of whether this is challenging for them.

A quick movement break may help your child be better able to focus and complete their homework at a more rapid pace.

The more you practice this with your child and teach them the skills, the better they will be at carrying it over into the classroom with their teacher.

That brings us to the end of our episode.

I'd love to know what you thought of this episode.

Head over to at Dr.

Sam Goldman on Instagram.

Send me a DM and let me know if any of these strategies resonated with you.

As I mentioned a couple of episodes ago, keep your eyes open because we will be having a new guide for school coming out soon, and it's going to be awesome.

I'll see you back here next week for our handwriting episode.

I really cannot wait.

See you then.