Sensory Integration Education

There is a lot written about how to support individuals with sensory processing and integration differences at school, but there is little out there in terms of advice and support for individuals with sensory integration and processing differences who are engaging in further education. In last month’s blog we discussed some of the sensory processing and integration challenges that individuals may face in a university or college setting. In this month’s blog we look at how these difficulties can impact on distance learning and some tips on how to address these challenges.

Whilst sensory challenges can present themselves in the busy environment of a university or college campus, studying online in a home or work environment does not exempt you from sensory challenges in either of these settings. When establishing a workspace for online learning, students need to think carefully about how to structure and plan their learning environment. As they will be spending a lot of time studying in this environment, comfort is important.

The first thing that comes to mind is a comfortable chair and a desk that is of a suitable height so that the screen is at a comfortable level. For students who are under-responsive to vestibular input and feel the need to move a lot to stay alert, a swivel office chair can be useful for some vestibular sensory input. For others, an exercise ball can be a useful alternative at times to an office chair and there is also a good selection of desks available that vary in height, giving individuals the option to stand at times if this is helpful. When studying at home, it is also important to schedule regular movement breaks to keep the nervous system alert and conducive to learning, as hours spent in front of a screen can be counterproductive.

Lighting is also another area to consider when studying at home. Students who have difficulties with visual sensory processing, either under- or over-responsive, will have to consider the lighting conditions that are optimal for studying and spending time in front of a computer screen. Where possible, working with natural light during the day can be helpful. The light of an actual screen can also be problematic for some students and it is recommended that individuals who spend a significant amount of time learning online should look at the brightness levels of their screens and pick a setting that is most comfortable for them. The same goes for font sizes and browser setting sizes.

Noise can also be an issue when studying in a home or work environment. Often learning online involves watching video presentations and it is advisable that these are watched wearing headphones where possible in order to listen to the presentations without distractions. However, for mature students with childcare responsibilities, this might not be an option and it is recommended that students block out time where possible so they can watch presentations without distractions.

Similar to students studying on a physical campus, individuals with sensory processing differences and other learning needs can still find accessing their learning materials and resources challenging on an online portal. Again, I recommend that students with sensory processing differences make their learning needs known to the university or college student support services when they have enrolled on a course to ensure that they are accessing all forms of help available.

Best wishes

Lelanie Brewer

PS: For more advice, see our article Attending University With Sensory Integration Difficulties.

Sensory Snapshot is a regular series by Advanced SI Practitioner and OT Lelanie Brewer. Lelanie gained her MSc in OT at Brunel University, London, and is pursuing a PhD with Newcastle University. Experienced in the NHS, charity and private sectors, as well as being a UK university senior lecturer, Lelanie is the Lead for Continuous Professional Development at Sensory Integration Education.