Fluorescent Lighting

Just yesterday, I was talking with a good friend of mine whose daughter has been significantly affected by the symptoms of Potts Syndrome.  As a result of Potts, she is suffering debilitating headaches at school, and we talked about how the fluorescent lighting (among other factors) could be exacerbating the headaches as well.  We know that fluorescent lighting is often too stimulating and overwhelming for kids on the autism spectrum.  Even so, it is a rare occasion when I walk into a classroom that accommodates for the lighting needs of the kids.  So...I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the resource classroom at one of the schools I serve and saw this:

Awesome job, Mrs. Miller!

Fluorescent light covers throughout the classroom!  This is a relatively inexpensive way to address the issue of overstimulating lights for kids with a variety of issues.  They are super easy to install (they just stick with magnets).

These light covers come in a package of 4, and can be found at amazon.com for $24.07.  http://www.amazon.com/Classroom-Light-Filters-Tranquil-Blue-Set/dp/B001YT3G5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379965371&sr=8-1&keywords=fluorescent+light+covers

Of course, there are other ways to change the lighting in the room without purchasing fluorescent light covers-  you could also use floor lamps throughout the room and turn off the overhead lights.  For more on the benefits of using fluorescent light covers, click on the following link:

http://www.fluorescentlightcovershq.com/benefits-of-using-fluorescent-light-covers-for-peopl-with-autism-in-the-classroom-and-more/

Sensory Breaks/Activity Binder

Since we have been on the subject of visuals lately, I have one more post to add...  As OTs, we often have people (usually paraprofessionals) carry out "sensory breaks" or "movement breaks" for our students on the spectrum, those that have sensory processing needs or for those who have attention difficulties. Parents of these students often are counting on the staff to provide these needed breaks and activities to their child, as they know how important these breaks are for their child to be successful.

The problem becomes that not everyone know just what constitutes a "sensory activity," or what types of activities can be used during a movement or sensory break.  You can take the guess work out of the paraprofessional's day by providing a list of sensory based activities to choose from, and even go a step further in providing visuals that go along with each activity.  (Remember that list of 50 quick sensory activities from the post dated 9-4-13?)  Providing a list also allows for a variety of activities to be used over the course of time, so that the student has some variety.  Tasks that are novel often hold attention more vs. the same activities over and over.  I make it easier for paras by making them a binder that contain the activity list and the visuals that they may need for them.

On the inside cover of the binder, I like to provide 3 activity choices, and then a place for the student to then place their activity choice card.  I also include some instruction/information on sensory breaks and how to use them throughout the day.

Next, provide an extensive list of activities and include them in the binder.

Add visuals into the binder that correspond with the activities that you provided.

Now, the classroom may not have access to some of the minor equipment or items suggested in the list, but just encourage them to be creative and resourceful (ie: if they don't have bubbles for blowing or putty for a tactile break, give them a recipe for making their own.  Maybe they could borrow a scooter board from the gym to use during their movement break).  Also, the activities in the list provided are just merely suggestions.  They don't all have to be used, and the paraprofessional should feel free to add some ideas of his/her own as well.

"The Ultimate Fidget Set"

I have mentioned fidgets a couple of times in my recent posts, so I thought I would share this with you:

It's the "Ultimate Fidget Set," which is on sale right now and available from National Autism Resources for $44.95 (regularly 49.95).

http://www.nationalautismresources.com/fidget-set.html

Busy Work and Learning to "Wait"

Remember in my last post where I said,  "It may be important to keep kids (with joint attention issues) engaged during "wait time" (periods of time when they are done with what they are doing, but are waiting for the rest of the class to finish up what they are working on)?  Well, if you followed along with that post, you know that I mentioned many different sensory based activities, but, there are times when even a little bit of "busy work" for a child to do at their seat can be helpful.  Not stuff that is hard or that even takes much effort, just something to "do."  Something constructive to pass the time and keep them engaged during "wait time." If any of you are familiar with folder activities, these are also good to have in your arsenal.  See http://www.filefolderfun.com/  for access to free printables for folder activities.  I also make up some of my own stuff and leave them in classrooms for aides and teachers to just give to kids as they wait for classroom transitions.  Here are a few examples of some that I have made:

I copied and then laminated numbers to trace with a vis a vis or dry erase marker.  I punched a hole in the top and connected them all with a loose leaf book ring clasp.  This I made for a kindergarten student who loves numbers, but who was forming them with random strokes.  When he has some "wait time" to fill, he can practice tracing his numbers while his other classmates are finishing up what they are doing.

I copied, cut out and then laminated a worksheet of numbers to sequence.  I put velcro on each piece and on the worksheet so that the kids can sequence the numbers.  Pulling off the pieces from the velcro is a tactile sensory experience that some kids really like.  I did not color them, because coloring them with colored dry erase markers is another activity that can be used as a time filler.

Here's another similar example:

I added a loose leaf book ring to make these 2 items into an activity booklet.

I use a lot of worksheets and reproducibles from Carson-Dellosa Publishing.  I have several of their books for different age groups, and I have used them repeatedly for years.  Check out their web site at: http://www.carsondellosa.com/cd2/default.aspx

Here's another visual that I made up myself and have used to help kids learn to "wait":

When the red light is on, it is work time.  No getting up and leaving the desk.  

When the yellow light is on, it is wait time.  They are waiting at their desk.  Of course the green light then would mean that they can leave the desk area.

Busy Kids??

Sometimes throughout the day, our kids who have limited attention spans need various activities interspersed throughout their daily routine to keep them alert and calm for learning.  It may also be important to keep them engaged during "wait time" (periods of time when they are done with what they are doing, but are waiting for the rest of the class to finish up what they are working on).  Of course there are sensory based activities and interventions that we can use to help keep kids calm and alert for learning (see the weighted lap pads entry).  What are some other things that we can try?

-Movement breaks.  Maybe your child/student needs some movement built into his/her day, especially if he/she is "busy" in their seat.  This can be as simple as letting them move about the room every so often (go get a drink, stand in the back of the room for a bit), letting them be allowed to change positions regularly (stand up at their desk to work, lie down on the floor to read, etc.), take a note to to office or another room, use the bathroom...  You can also try to have them get some movement right at their desk, by having them sit on an exercise ball, try a move n sit cushion, off set their chair by putting a tennis ball on one or 2 of the legs so that they can jiggle in their chair, tie a thera band around the legs of their chair so that they can push against it.  if you're lucky, your child or student's teacher already has movement opportunities built into the classroom routine, which is a win-win situation for everyone.

-Fidgets.  I know, I know- "fidgets are a distraction."  Yes, they can be.  But, fidgets can just be things that are already found in the classroom that are less of a novelty to other kids who don't have a fidget: a piece of masking tape, rubber band, an eraser, a pen cap, a paper clip (my personal favorite is a binder clip).  A fidget can also be as simple as a piece of yarn, a piece of felt, a small rock.  Of course you can also implement much more exciting and flashy fidgets like sensory/tactile balls, koosh balls, wikki stixx, etc.  If seated at desk:  stick a strip of velcro under the table top or desk top.  As an educator, you may have to establish "rules" about being able to have a fidget in the classroom (if you throw it, it is mine). If the fidget is small enough, you can make a rule that a fidget must always stay in his/her pocket or in his/her hands under the desk top so as not to cause a distraction.

Binder clips- my personal favorite fidget

-Weighted stuff and Heavy Work.  Weighted lap pads, weighted blankets, weighted vests, etc.  See entry dated 7-24-13. You can also have the child do some heavy work activities interspersed throughout his/her day.  Heavy work is calming and organizing to the central nervous system.  Try some of these:

Heavy Work Activities
1.  Place chairs on desks at the end of the day, stack or rearrange chairs in the classroom.
2. Help rearrange desks or tables.
3.  Help custodian empty wastebaskets, fill pop machine, mop floors, etc.
4.  Fill milk crates with books and carry them to other classrooms/library.
5.  Carry books or other items to the office.
6.  Help empty the paper recycling bins located in the school.
7.  Erase chalk boards/dry erase boards.
8.  Wash desks and/or chalk or dry erase boards.
9.  Push a cart/dolly or other wheeled item from one area to the next.
10.  In the classroom, weight down the student’s chair (tape on old phone book or catalog under the seat) and have the student move to different areas of the room to work.
11.  Have the student move several packs of copier paper from storage area to the copy room.
12.  If your school has one, have the student use the Ellison die-cut machine.  Have the student collect orders from teachers for their bulletin boards and cut the required items out (with supervision).
13.  Perform sports activities that involve running and jumping.
14.  Run around the gym or track.
15.  Push against a wall (do wall push ups).
16.  Jump on a mini trampoline.
17.  Do chair push ups.
18.  Use squeeze toys that can be squeezed quietly on the student’s lap under the desk so that the student does not disturb the class.
19.  Help the gym teacher move mats, hang them up.
20.  Take chewy candy breaks-  licorice, fruit roll ups, starbursts, tootsie rolls.
21.  Take crunchy food breaks-  such as dry cereal, vegetables, pretzels, popcorn.
22.  Sharpen pencils with a manual pencil sharpener.
23.  Cut out items for bulletin boards/displays out of tag board paper.
24.  Staple paper onto bulletin boards.

-Scheduled Sensory Breaks.  Our kids/students on the spectrum often need scheduled sensory breaks built into their day (some might call it a "sensory diet").  The above listed activities can be used during their sensory breaks.  These breaks do not have to take a big chunk of the kids' school time/education. They can be short breaks.  Sometimes, kids just need some sensory based activity to get re charged, calmed down or re focused.  A great idea would be if the teacher would take a few minutes and do some of these things with the entire class!  Here is a list of quick things that can be used for a sensory break:

50 Quick Sensory Activities
1.  Jump “x” number of times to an area/landmark and back
2.  Wheelbarrow walk for a short distance
3.  Donkey kicks
4.  Bear walk/crab walk
5.  Wall push ups
6.  Push each other back and forth with hands pressed together
7.  Hop on one foot a short distance, hop back with the other
8.  Do a quick hand or foot massage
9.  Write numbers/letters/shapes on each others’ backs or the palm of the hand and guess what it is
10.  Rub lotion on hands, arms, feet, etc.
11.  Eat something crunchy, chewy-pretzels, licorice, gummies, gum, etc.
12.  Do joint compressions
13.  Jump like a frog
14.  Popcorn push ups in a chair (sit in chair, put hands on chair at your sides and lift bottom off of the seat by pushing up)
15.  Push palms together “x” amount of times
16.  Do tug of war with a jump rope
17.  Sit on scooter and:  get pulled while holding a jump rope/fun noodle/hula hoop, sit close to a wall and push self away from the wall with hands/kick off with legs
18.  Color with sandpaper/plastic mesh/screen under paper
19.  Write/color with a squiggle pen
20.  Color with scented markers
21.  Make snips in thick paper/poster board for increased resistance
22.  Blow bubbles
23.  Have a cold drink
24.  Eat a popsicle/freezer pop
25.  Jump on a mini trampoline
26.  Wrap up/roll up  in a blanket
27.  Jump/crash into a bunch of pillows/bean bag
28.  Pull theraband/ theratubing; do resistive exercises with them
29.  Carry/stack heavy books
30.  Play catch with a medicine ball
31.  Play catch with a koosh ball, other type of sensory ball
32.  Play with playdough, glarch, putty, etc.
33.  Squeeze a stress ball-  make your own by filling a balloon with flour and tying it
34.  Bounce on/roll over a therapy ball-  while rolling over the ball, put a puzzle together that is on the floor, pick up items and put into a container, etc.
35.  Drum to some music- drum on various things for different sounds
36.  Use a hammer to pound nails, wood, etc.
37.  Swing
38.  Squish with a therapy ball
39.  Pour salt/sugar on a cookie sheet and make letters/shapes
40.  Play in beans/rice
41.  Blow whistles
42.  Drink through straws, crazy straws
43.  Blow pin wheels
44.  Listen to a nature CD for relaxation
45.  Put drops of paint in a plastic zip lock bag and squish with hands to mix colors
46.  Play catch with or bat a balloon-  hang a balloon from the ceiling with yarn and bat at it, bat it back and forth
47.  Smell fragrances/lotions/scents   calming: vanilla, camomile  alerting: lemon, mint
48.  Play with bingo daubers
49.  Play in shaving cream-  drive cars through it, etc.
50.  Squirt with a squirt gun/spray bottle