Navigating Sensory Sensitivities

In this week's episode, we shift focus from task boxes to address the critical topic of navigating students' sensory needs in special education. From recognizing the increasing concerns among educators regarding sensory issues, we are going to explore the diverse sensory profiles of students and their impact on learning experiences.

We'll talk about both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity, providing practical examples and approaches to address sensory needs across various modalities, including auditory, tactile, visual, proprioceptive, vestibular, olfactory, and gustatory sensitivities. We will wrap up this episode discussing how to design a sensory-friendly classroom by incorporating movement breaks and utilizing sensory balls.

Come join me on this comprehensive guide beyond the realm of task boxes!

Episode Highlights:

• Understanding Sensory Profiles: Lisa Hollady opens the episode by acknowledging the increasing concerns among special educators about students' sensory needs. She highlights the uniqueness of sensory profiles, emphasizing that recognizing and understanding these differences are crucial first steps in creating an effective learning environment.
• Exploring Hypersensitivity and Hyposensitivity: The episode delves into the diverse manifestations of sensory needs, particularly hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity. Lisa provides vivid examples, painting scenarios of students with hyposensitivity appearing unperturbed by stimuli and those with hypersensitivity visibly distressed, offering a comprehensive understanding of sensory variations.
• Practical Approaches for Different Modalities: Lisa breaks down practical approaches to address sensory needs across various modalities, including auditory, tactile, visual, proprioceptive, vestibular, olfactory, and gustatory sensitivities. From utilizing noise-canceling headphones for hypersensitive students to incorporating sensory bins for hyposensitive students, she provides real examples and actionable strategies.
• Creating a Supportive Sensory Environment: The episode concludes with a focus on creating a supportive sensory environment beyond the classroom, offering insights on designing sensory-friendly classrooms, incorporating movement breaks, and utilizing sensory tools like fidget spinners and stress balls. Lisa emphasizes that understanding and addressing sensory needs are ongoing processes, crucial for fostering a safe and regulated space for every learner.

Resources Mentioned:

• Functional Life Skills Curriculum 
• Personal Care and Hygiene Freebie
• FREE Life Skills Pacing Guide
• Free training: 3 Simple and Powerful Ways to Cultivate Independence in Your Special Education Classroom

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• Join my Facebook group, Special Education Superheroes
• Join my email list
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More About Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast:

Teach, Task Box, Inspire: The Podcast is your go-to educational podcast dedicated to making your job as a special education teacher easier and more enjoyable. Your host, Lisa Hollady, is a veteran special education teacher with a passion for helping teachers like you make a real difference in the lives of your students.

In your demanding roles, you’re constantly juggling various responsibilities, from differentiated instruction and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to data collection, and, of course, teaching. That’s where task boxes come in.

Task boxes aren’t just teaching tools. They’re the key to unlocking student independence, student engagement, and personalized learning. Through this podcast, you’ll uncover the incredible task box benefits for your special needs students and practical implementation tips that you can take to your classroom.

Tune in each Monday for a new episode that will equip you with essential strategies and motivation to approach your week with confidence and enthusiasm. Topics will include task box activities, social and emotional development, adaptive teaching, inclusive teaching, supporting diverse learners, classroom management, scheduling, visual aids, and more.

If you’re looking for more special education resources and support with increasing student independence, check out Lisa's FREE training.