Support sensory integration
Sensory processing (also called sensory integration) refers to how the nervous system receives signals from the senses and turns them into motor and behavioural responses.
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Ask the student about their environment
Ask the student about their environment
Some students feel bombarded by sensory information; others seek out intense sensory experiences.
Students with FASD who have sensory process difficulties misinterpret everyday sensory information such as touch, sight, sound, movement, and smell.
Ask the student to describe everything in the classroom that they:
- smell
- see
- hear
- taste.
Use the information to guide your design of the environment.
Select strategies to reduce sensory overload.
Source: FASD strategies not solutions (opens in a new tab/window)
Offer auditory strategies
Offer auditory strategies
To support focus, offer ear protectors or headphones to filter out sounds.
Play soft music. Offer the option to the whole class or on a personal device.
![10329 [Headphones-Paul-Hamilton-flickr-https-2F2Fflic.kr2Fp2Foykm3A.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Headphones-Paul-Hamilton-flickr-https-2F2Fflic__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.kr2Fp2Foykm3A.jpg)
Schedule breaks in your timetable
Schedule breaks in your timetable
Build flexibility and supports into the classroom environment.
- Provide physical activity breaks throughout the day to increase engagement.
- Break up longer tasks with short relaxation breaks to give students opportunities to recharge and refocus.
- Timetable sitting still activities before morning tea and lunch breaks where students have been active.
- Include a Swiss ball or mini-tramp in the classroom environment. Movement assists concentration and can release tension.
- Regularly timetable activities that promote relaxation, such as singing.
Offer calm and quiet zones
Offer calm and quiet zones
Make a calming space available to students when they are overwhelmed by sensory stimuli.
Support students on how to use this space. Emphasise it is not a time out or punishment.
What educators need to know about FASD (pp 38-45).
![10330 [Quiet-spaces.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Quiet-spaces__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Provide sensory supports
Provide sensory supports
Provide students with a sensory support to help them with calming down.
Useful sensory support will vary from student to student. It could be:
- looking at a book
- paper and pencils to draw or doodle
- music or soft soothing sounds to listen to
- a hand-held toy to manipulate, or a slow moving oil and water toy to watch
- a weighted blanket or warm fleece blanket
- a deep back massage or squeezing hands or feet can be soothing for some children.
Talk with your student, and ask your occupational therapist for some safe and appropriate suggestions for calming the nervous system.
Useful resources
Useful resources
Sensory processing
This video provides introductory information about sensory processing.
Publisher: British Columbia Ministry of Education
Fetal alcohol exposure: Time to know, time to act
Read time: 15 min
Information about sensory integration for students with FASD and practical classroom strategies.
Publisher: Ontario Provincial Conference, 2003
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Support self-regulation and positive behaviour”:
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Current page Support sensory integration
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: FASD and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
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Support self-regulation and positive behaviourShow suggestions for Support self-regulation and positive behaviour
- Support sensory integration
- Support relating to others
- Support positive behaviour
- Support numeracy and maths
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
