EmphaSIze May 2024: Sensory Integration in School
By Sensory Integration Education, 30 April 2024
Welcome to the May issue of EmphaSIze where this month we're focusing on Sensory Integration in School!
Challenges in processing sensory information can significantly impact a child’s educational experience. With 1 in 6 children having sensory processing differences that make it hard to learn and function in school, it’s likely there are undetected and unsupported sensory needs in many classrooms today.
In this month's EmphaSIze, we've put together useful information, research, articles, books, and product ideas to help better inform ourselves of how sensory integration affects students’ behaviour and learning at school as well as insights and strategies for supporting students’ sensory needs and making schools a more sensory inclusive environment.
We’re also delighted to announce registrations are now open for this year’s SIE FREE online Conference: Sensory Informed Practice – Broadening Horizons. See the news item below for details of what this year’s conference is all about and how to register your place. We look forward to seeing you there!
News & Features
Registrations Now Open for This Year's SIE FREE Online Conference!
We’re delighted to announce registrations for this year’s SIE online conference are open! The theme of the conference this year is Sensory Informed Practice – Broadening Horizons and we’ve already got an exciting agenda of speakers lined up for you.
Featuring keynote presentations from Dr. Sarah Schoen and Dr. Shelley Mulligan, this year's conference will explore the latest thinking on assessing sensory integration and sensory processing as well as looking at sensory-friendly environments and effective sensory strategies in different contexts and settings.
This unmissable event is now available to attend free of charge and the conference presentations will be pre-recorded, so you can watch them 24/7 from 23rd to 29th September.
Book your place now and watch this space over the coming months for more speaker announcements!
Self-Regulation in School ~ A Guide for Staff
In the bustling environment of a school, students are constantly navigating a myriad of sensory inputs while striving to maintain focus and emotional equilibrium. Understanding the link between self-regulation and a student's unique sensory profile can offer insights into how to adjust schedules and environments to create a better learning experience for students.
In our blog post, Self-Regulation in School: A Guide for Staff, we look at how sensory processing can impact self-regulation and what we can do to build a more supportive environment by embracing a collaborative approach through co-regulation and implementing strategies that support sensory needs.
You can read the full blog here.
Thoughts from a Therapist: Gear Shift to Secondary
In the UK, the transition from primary school to secondary school is a big leap. Children go from having the same teacher for most of the day to having a different teacher for each subject. They need to find their way around a big, noisy and often confusing environment to get from one lesson to the next and take on a lot more responsibility for personal organisation of belongings, homework tasks and schoolwork.
In this month’s Thoughts from a Therapist blog, Anna Willis takes a look at the challenges students with sensory needs face when moving from primary school to secondary school and the role therapists can play in helping students navigate their way through this major transition.
Join Us on 3rd June for Our Next Sensory Spotlight Talk with Dr Teresa May-Benson!
We are thrilled to announce that renowned lecturer and researcher Dr Teresa May-Benson is delivering our next Sensory Spotlight Talk on 3rd June: Vestibular Processing and Gravitational Insecurity.
Join your peers, as Adult/Adolescent Sensory History (ASH) author Teresa discusses the assessment and intervention of gravitational insecurity (GI), providing insights into the latest research updates and clinical reasoning relating GI to vestibular processing.
This session isn't just about theory; it's about practical application and attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of gravitational insecurity and leave ready to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.
Whether you are just starting in the field or looking to deepen your understanding, this Sensory Spotlight Talk is an excellent choice for anyone interested in gravitational insecurity.
Enhancing Sensory Integration in Schools: A Unified Approach
Challenges in processing sensory information can significantly impact students' educational experiences. Sensory integration equipment helps bridge this gap, offering therapeutic benefits that boost focus, learning, and well-being.
This guest blog from Southpaw, an SIE preferred supplier, looks at the role of sensory tools in schools and how they can benefit all students by creating inclusive environments where sensory needs are met, leading to improved focus, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
Find out more by reading the full blog here.
Also see:
Surrey-based gymnastics club launches first of its kind sensory room for disability gymnasts
NHS faces ‘avalanche’ of demand for autism and ADHD services, thinktank warns
Award recognises museum's support for autistic visitors
Virtual reality experience helps Central Beds council staff learn about living with autism
Resources
We've curated guides, tutorials, books and products to help better inform ourselves about supporting students with sensory needs and making schools a more sensory-inclusive environment, including:-
- Classroom Accommodations for Sensory Processing Challenges
- How Sensory Processing Issues Affect Kids in School
- Creating Sensory Smart Classrooms: A Practical Guide for Educators
- My Brain is a Racecar
See our latest resources ideas here.
SI Research Digest
Easy-to-read summaries of all the latest SI research papers, as well as key papers on our theme of Sensory Integration and Autism. Click here to view the summaries of the research and access the direct links to the published papers, including:
- Clinical Correlates and Prevalence of Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Autism-Linked Traits and Creativity: Empathy and Sensory Sensitivities in Children Predict Creative Activities and Openness
- “I Do My Best to Do Right by Her”: Autistic Motherhood and the Experience of Raising a Non-autistic Adolescent Daughter
Upcoming Courses and Webinars
We have a number of live webinars that take throughout the year covering a broad range of SI-related topics. Below is a snapshot of the live webinars happening in May and June or click here to view a summary of all the upcoming live events.
All these live webinars are available to you by signing up to our Lifelong Learning Programme or can be purchased as individual courses:
- Using a Sensory Approach with Clients with a Diagnosis of Dementia - 17 May 2024
- Sensory Spotlight Talk: Vestibular Processing and Gravitational Insecurity - Updates and Clinical Reasoning - 3 June 2024
- Regulation: Strategies for Development and Support - 18th June 2024
Latest Job Listings
Are you thinking of making a career move this year? Check out the latest job listings including:
Speech and Language Therapist (Band 5 or 6), Phoenix Primary and Secondary School, London, UK
Occupational Therapist - Sensory Integration Practitioner, Creative OT, Birmingham, UK
Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Equal Chance Ltd, Kent, UK
Discounts & Special Offers
We've negotiated these exciting discounts for our SIE family!
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE20 for 10% discount on Southpaw orders up to £100. Orders must be placed by phone on +44 (0) 115 718 0020.
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE15 for 15% discount on sensooli.com (Excludes membership and advent boxes).
FREE delivery and set-up (worth up to £250, England and Wales only) on purchases of the omiVista+ and a FREE interactive ball games package worth up to £500. To access this special offer, mention you are an SIE Member when placing your order with OMI.
5% DISCOUNT on purchases of 3 items or more. Orders must be placed by phone and mention you are an SIE member to access this special offer when you are placing your order.
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE2210 for 10% discount when ordering from the online Sensory Smart Store.
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Best wishes,
Sensory Integration Education
NB: Sensory Integration Education is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Integration Education.
