Sensory Supports

Please note: working with your Occupational Therapy is extremely helpful when thinking of sensory supports and strategies to meet student needs!

Sensory Processing in Everyday Life with Dr. Winnie DunnListen to this episode from Two Sides of the Spectrum on Spotify. Dr. Winnie Dunn totally changed how we think about sensory processing for Autistic people. In this episode, we explore a person-centered, strengths-based way to consider our Autistic clients’ sensory needs in their daily lives. We also get Dr. Dunn’s advice on how to use her tool – The Sensory Profile II – in a way that will make your work easier and more impactful. This is a re-release of episode 16 of the podcast.

This podcast episode explains sensory processing and the importance of proper supports. Head on over to the Checklists and Tools Page for more information about Sensory Processing.

Sensory friendly space checklist.pdf

23-24-Sensory Processing-Sensory Friendly Classroom Checklist-Sept 2023.pdf

Sensory Profile-Cheatsheet-OT Butterfly.pdf

You can use these checklists and tools below to help you create a Sensory Profile for each child you serve. From this profile, you can then adapt or modify the environment to fit their needs as globally as possible, as well as build sensory breaks into their day with strategies specific to their sensory needs.

Sensory Under-Responsive Checklist

Sensory Over-Responsive Checklist

Sensory Craving Checklist

22-23: Sensory Support Tools

Credit: Clackamas ESD

Sensational Brain-School-Checklist.pdf

Zone - Sensory Calming Activities.pdf

Wiggless, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down: a neuro-affirming way to teach students about their sensory needs and ways to meet them

sensory choice board.pdf

Alternative Seating

Sensory Strategies in the Classroom
(adapted from Milwaukee Public Schools 2016-2017 Regulation Cohort Reference Material, created by Katie Berg and Karn Cronwell)

TOUCH/TACTILE:
Hug Rubbing back/shoulders Fidgets: textured, jointed, squeezy, vibrating
Pushups Wall/Chair pushups Messy play: shaving cream, finger paint
Playdoh/clay Weight lap/shoulder pad Bean bag chair / bean bag sandwich
Drumming Circle Putting chairs on desks Carrying crate with books / lunch bags

MOVEMENT:

Classroom:
Slow Rocking Walk Jumping Jacks
March Wheelbarrow walk Animal Walks
Seat cushions Tennis ball chair legs Laying on belly to work
Songs with directed movement (ex: Hokey Pokey) Head/Shoulders/Knees/Toes

Recess:
Monkeybars Swings Slides
Running Organized Games General playground equipment

AUDITORY:
Calming music Drumming circle
Nature Sounds Headphones Classroom singing/chanting

SMELL/TASTE/ORAL:
Lavendar, chamomile, citrus - calming or natural scents Deep Breathing
Spices Bubbles Hard or chewy candy (peppermints, tootsie rolls)

Meeting Sensory Needs handout.pdf

Sensory Spaces in Schools.pdf