Welcome to my "Ask Me Anything" blog post series!
I answer lots of questions on my social media channels, and it makes sense to share this information (anonymously!) in case it is useful for others, too.
"Hello, I don’t suppose you could give advice please on how to start a sensory circuit? I’ve done a sensory profile, so I know the child's sensory needs. It’s just implementing it with them for the first time and getting them to understand what they need to do. The child is 4 and nonverbal. I’ll use visuals, but these will be new to the child, so it will take a while for them to be embedded. This child is a wanderer and likes to wander around and is a transporter, so always has wooden puzzle pieces in his hands.
I’d like to do this: Activating - trampoline, Organising - rolling on peanut ball, Calming - bubble tube lights.
He loves all of these things but can get distracted by other things as they are all in our sensory room, and he might end up doing them in a different order."
I’d say he will know what his body needs. He might bounce on the exercise ball, line up the tube light with the wall behind, then lay on the trampoline just naturally…. Yes, it’s not your order, but it’s still a three-step approach. Meanwhile, as he’s doing this, you could model your expectations to him and show the symbol. If and when he wants to join you, he will; if he doesn’t, that's okay!
It doesn’t happen overnight, but as long as in your mind you are looking out for
1- Has he let out his energy?
2- Does he feel organised and in control?
3 - Is he calm and grounded?
Before stepping back into the learning environment.
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.
*I am not a doctor or medical professional, so for some questions, you might want to contact your GP, the National Autistic Society, or the NHS.
KEY SEARCH TERMS: ask me anything autism behaviour calming music classroom dysregulation FAQ overwhelm question repetition SEN sensory sensory learner teaching assistant para paraprofessional special education needs disability disabled teacher PMLD EYFS primary school SENCO occupational therapy therapist speech and language pathologist pathology sensory circuit order sensory needs nonverbal