Using your child's sensory system to help them learn!

Learning to write is usually a challenge for children with disabilities. They often struggle with decreased attention to task, decreased visual perceptual skills, decreased ability to process verbal information, etc.

While I recommend that an evaluation be completed to determine what the problem is, here are a few suggestions to help increase their ability to learn using their sensory system.

- Have the child complete the activity laying on his/her stomach (proprioceptive input)This can help improve attention to task as well.
- Roll them in a blanket and complete a task on stomach, while wrapped in the blanket.
- Use shaving cream, or finger paints for the child to write in (Be attentive if your child put things in his/her mouth)
- Write letters on paper over sand paper, or have them trace on sand paper with their finger.
- Have them create letters/numbers out of pretzel sticks.

Using as many of the child's senses can improve their ability to learn and retain the information.

These are some ideas to help you get jump started. You can combine these to increase the effectiveness.

Ways to get your child to sleep at night.

A friend posted that she was struggling with ways to get her daughter to bed at night, so I thought I would put some ideas down here. Brilliant huh? ok took me too long to think about it.

I will be relating this to the child's sensory system. If your child gets "wound up" right before going to bed then try the following:

1-Have them read or look at a book while laying on their tummy and elbows.
2-Play a game of "sleeping" taco with firm cushions for a few minutes.
3-Have your child wheelbarrow walk around the house.
4-Wrap up tightly in a blanket and rock for a few minutes
5-Use a heavier blanket.

***The key is to help them calm their sensory system by providing them with deep pressure into their joints.

***Set a routine

***This won't change overnight because there is always a behavior componant. Set your expectations and don't give in.

If your child has a hard time staying a asleep try:
1- A heavier Blanket
2- A fan in the room


Another mother reported that Melatonin helps her daughter sleep.

If you have had success in this area, please post your suggestions.

Thanks all