OT and teachers working together
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Transcript of OT and teachers working together
Today’s Workshop• Sensory vs Behavioral• Mindfulness• Parent Involvement
Sensory vs Behavioral
Is it Sensory or Behavioral• Most likely than not, it is BOTH!• Sensory and behavior are directly
linked at all times. We take in information from the environment through our senses in order to then give a behavioral output.
Play Detective!• By playing detectives I mean create
a little journal or a mental note of 3 things:
1- what was the antecedent 2-what is your child's reaction3-what helped them calm
Behavioral• If something is more behavioral in
nature:1- it's usually purpose driven2-the child can turn it on and off at will3- usually stops once they get their
way4-responds well to clear boundaries,
structure
SensoryIf something is more sensory in nature:1- it's outside of your child's control2-a child cannot turn it on and off at will. On the
contrary you give in to the request and they still can't calm
3-takes longer to calm4-does not respond to behavior modification
techniques alone5-responds well to flexibility of the sensory
situation within a structure and routine. Ex: earphones in the cafeteria
Reality Check ;)• Many many times what I have seen is
that it is a combination of both! So you will have to use sensory strategies as well as behavioral modifications!!
• A lot of strategies will be trial and error.
There is no cookie cutter approach that works best because every child is different and responds differently.
Tantrum vs MeltdownTantrum MeltdownAttitude is EVERYTHING!Remain Calm. Consciously decide not to buy into it.
Attitude is EVERYTHING!Remain calm. No need to change it but experience it with your child
Safety first Safety firstLearning experience. Boundaries, making requests, frustration tolerance
Cathartic experience come out of it happy. Let them channel that frustration
IGNORE!!!! Walk then through it words kind and gentle soft music song preferred you itemAnything heavy
Ask yourself. What do I want my child to learn.
Get clues as to input seeking. Provide the environment that supports and encourages to calm.
Mindfulness
Definition of Mindfulness• The definition of mindfulness is a
mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
As an OT when we want to help a child regulate, we can do it one of 2 ways:
1- Modify the environment to decrease the anxiety levels ex: using a visual schedule, minimizing irritating sounds
2-Teach children to gain self- control of their anxiety and well-being from the inside out through MINDFULNESS techniques
The newer approach to reducing stress is though mindfulness meditations.
Helps children to:• Be in the moment,• Focus on their breath rather than
listening to a ruminating thought and having to figure it out.
• It teaches self-control. See a thought pass through like a bystander and let it go by, not having to do anything about it.
Mindfulness for Young Children1-Meet them where they are at: videos work wonderfully. The
bubble, from go noodle Airtime space.2- Teach awareness of their breath, their beating heart. Give them a
visual for breathing ex: smell the flowers and blow out the candles3- Don’t expect them to do this laying down or with eyes closed,
don’t get fixated on what things have to look like focus on wanting to slow them down just a bit and be in the moment.
4- Be concrete use props like lilly pad and frog for Sitting Still like a frog
5- Use the 5 senses. Be concrete ex: awareness to sound, or touch, or taste Be in the moment.
If we can teach them to slow down and be in the moment, it will go a long way to later on teach them how to become in control of their wellness as young adults.
Parent Involvement
Parents and Teachers…Allies for success!
• It’s not a them and us attitude. It’s a we attitude. We are a team.
• I view the parent as the expert with the child• I am a child advocate first• Respect that there a normal and natural
progression of acceptance• You do not need to make assumptions or
judgments. Just DESCRIBE the behaviors.• Keep a PAPER TRAIL!• Involve the parents as much as possible especially
with children that make the slowest gains.
Miss MancyNancy Amar OTR/LTel: 786-384-0221Email: [email protected]: www.MissMancy.com