Why is it Important to Address Sensory Integration in the Classroom?

• A child's nervous system plays a critical role in processing sensory information which impact cognitive, social and emotional functioning.

• Addressing sensory differences in the classroom helps promote adaptive responses, meaningful interactions, and skill development.

• Understanding a child’s sensory sensitivities allows educators to create supportive environments that enhance participation in daily activities.

Impact on Activities of daily living (ADLs) 

• • Meal Times: Sensory sensitivities can make eating challenging due to food textures, smells, or aversions.

  • Dressing: Children may struggle with various clothing textures, seams, and tags leading to discomfort and distress.

  • Bathing/Showering: Temperature, water pressure or soaps may trigger sensory sensitivities and make hygiene routines challenging.

  • Oral Hygiene: Children may struggle with the texture of toothbrush bristles or the taste of flavored toothpastes causing distress during self-care routines.

Impact on Education

• • Attention and Focus: Sensory overload (e.g. loud noises, bright lights) or sensory under-responsiveness can affect concentration leading to inattention or distractibility.

  • Fine Motor Skills: Challenges with handling writing utensils, scissors or manipulatives for academic tasks.

Impact on Rest and Sleep 

• • Sleep Quality: Sensory challenges may disrupt a child's ability to fall asleep or stay asleep (e.g. light sensitivity, loud noises, uncomfortable bedding or clothing textures).

  • Bedtime Routine: Challenges with brushing teeth, tolerating pajamas, or sensory sensitivities to light can interfere with a consistent bedtime routine. 

Impact on Play, Leisure and Social Participation

• Gross Motor Play: Sensory processing differences can affect coordination, making activities like running, jumping, or climbing challenging.

• Behavioral Responses: Children may exhibit frustration, withdrawal, or avoidance behaviors due to overstimulation.

• Sensory-Seeking Behaviors: Some children may crave intense sensory input, such as rough play, which can be misinterpreted as aggression.

• Sensory-Avoiding Behaviors: Some children may actively avoid sensory input (e.g. bright lights, loud noises, rough textures) and may exhibit withdrawal due to feeling overwhelmed. 

• Social Interactions: Difficulty interpreting sensory input (e.g., physical touch, verbal cues, or social expectations) can lead to anxiety, frustration, or difficulty forming relationships with peers.

By recognizing and addressing sensory challenges in the classroom, educators and therapists can create an environment that supports learning, engagement, and overall well-being.

**For significant sensory processing difficulties, please refer occupational therapy services for primary treatment approaches.

OT's Role

• OT's role is to promote sensory integration strategies in the classroom:

  • Complete assessment of student's sensory profile

  • Provision of strategies to promote sensory regulation 

  • Implements the use of sensory supports to enhance learning

O'Brien, J. C. & Kuhaneck, H. (Eds.). (2020). Case-Smith's occupational therapy for children and adolescents (8th ed.). Elsevier.