Creating a Sensory Friendly Classroom -- with Dr. Roya Ostovar

I had the great pleasure of  interviewing Dr. Roya Ostovar author of The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder (available for purchase here) last April, and one of my favorite things about that interview (and her book) was learning about her dedication to creating sensory friendly classrooms in her community.

That sparked an idea -- What can I do to help parents, teachers and schools make classrooms sensory friendly?  The logical thing was to start by asking Dr. O for some advice. 

I was just thrilled that she took the time to answer my questions, especially since this time of year she dedicates every spare moment to running an Autism camp near her practice in MA. 

I think you will find her answers insightful and worth sharing with your child's teacher.  Get ready to click print and then tuck that page in a copy of This is Gabriel Making Sense of School for your child's first day back this fall!

-------------------

Welcome back Roya!  Thank you so much for returning to HLW3B!  I am excited to hear your ideas on making a sensory friendly classroom.  Let's start with why changing the classroom (vs. just accommodating the child) is necessary?

Thanks for having me back, Hartley.  SPD is on a continuum; it is a variation on a universal condition. We all have experienced times when we need to take a break from the overwhelming sensory information around us. For those with SPD, it is no longer about having sensory preferences, rather it is about having a real disorder that significantly affects their learning and quality of life. Having sensory friendly settings is common sense and it benefits everyone, all students and learners as well as teachers and staff. Changing the classroom also teaches all students how to find practical and adaptive ways of making their setting work for them to allow for optimal learning and functioning, a skill that is beneficial to everyone. It also makes more sense to change the environment to fit the child’s needs and not the other way around. Changing the classroom helps the child with SPD blend in with other students, and it is not isolating, or stigmatizing.
 
Read more »

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FTF: Friendships Lost Leave Openings for Others by Gina St. Aubin

Image
As my First Things First series comes to a close, I am moved by all of the essays that have come before this, but also truly inspired by our last 2010 FTF post.  So, here is December's First Things First article, which was written by Gina St. Aubin In Colorado, Gina St. Aubin is a wife, mother, blogger, and advocate for those with intellectual and physical challenges. You can visit her blog Special Happens , follow her on Twitter as @Special_Happens, or look for her on FaceBook . For more information about First Things First click here . There is also a list of the previous First Things First articles under the " Guest Posts and FTF " tab at the top -- with the obvious title of "First Things First Articles".   I will be announcing the 2011 FTF writers in just a few days -- LOOK FOR THEM! : ) ----------------------------- Friendships Lost Leave Openings for Others by Gina St. Aubin Who hasn’t looked around and taken an unwitting inventory of their lives; which p...
Read more

Music Lessons

Image
Do your kids love music? Mine sure do. It was probably 4 years ago now, and I was driving out of our subdivision with all three boys in the van – Gabe was in Kindergarten, which makes Nick 2 1/2 at the time and Matt around 6 months. From out of the back I hear the boys talking about playing musical instruments. “Mom,” Nick starts, “Can I have a drum set?" I grin, “Maybe someday.” “Can I have a Tuba?” Gabe interjects. “No.” I laugh out loud at the image of my son, much smaller than a Tuba, attempting to play it. But, that planted the musical seed for all of us. Flash forward four years, and I am contemplating putting Nick and Gabe in Piano lessons. Why Piano? Because it seems that might be the most convenient to actually attend. And, Nick tried Drum lessons at three different locations, but he was just too young at the time. Not to mention, I don’t want a drum set in the house, but could live with a keyboard. I bet you’re shocked that I am not interested in a drum set, huh? My husb...
Read more

Putting the Fun in Dysfunctional by Patty Porch

Last month, on the way home from my nephew’s baptism party, my husband said, in a shocked tone, “That was the best family party we have ever been to. The kids were amazing and had so much fun! I wasn’t even stressed out or worried about the kids getting over stimulated. What just happened?” Throughout the rest of our 3-hour car drive home, we discussed what had made this particular party so much fun. We also compared it to other parties that were not nearly so pleasant. Parties that ended in tears and meltdowns, parties that we had to leave because one of our kids was just too over stimulated to handle. Parties that I swore would be the last I attended because things had gone so poorly for Danny and/or Charlotte. We realized this particular party in September had been so successful because we have some family members who are 100% committed to making family gatherings pleasant for my two SPD kids. Though my family has always been supportive, they haven’t always known how to help. ...
Read more