Why are Sensory Issues so important?

The last 50 years have seen an incredible amount of change: a bombardment of the senses by technology and the speed of modern society.  This means that all of us live in a constantly shifting and changing sensory environment, whether parents, teachers, children, or young people. 

Our nervous systems are on permanent alert to cope with the next new challenge to our ability to stay well-modulated: to remain calm yet at the same time be able to cope.  It is not surprising, therefore, that Sensory Processing issues are affecting a growing number of children. 

Without appropriate interventions and support, there is evidence of poor outcomes for children with these difficulties, including poor health and well-being, obesity, risk of poor educational attainment and reduced independence in activities of daily living.  Also common to children with sensory and motor skill difficulties are the associated emotional issues and social isolation caused by the child’s inability to join in with school activities.  

The long-term impact of a lack of intervention for children with sensory and motor difficulties is known to persist into adolescence and adulthood and may lead to increased levels of unemployment, poor mental health and criminal involvement.

helping children learn in the classroom!

Are you highly motivated to improve sensory provision in your school?

Learn how to:

1. Boost the effectiveness of your Cool Kids programme.
2. Maximise the benefits of your Sensory Circuits.
3. Provide meaningful support for parents with practical parenting strategies.
4. Benefit from solution focussed advice based upon 1:1 assessment of children’s skills.
5. Understand how Occupational Therapy can enable educational progress.

HOw can Occupational therapy make A difference?

There is plenty of knowledge out there about Sensory Issues.  I believe that the Occupational Therapist’s role is to make that knowledge applicable to a particular situation and enable parents and teachers to use that knowledge effectively. 

Children with Sensory Issues who are referred to Occupational Therapists usually have difficulties in school regarding their ability to access learning.  They may find it hard to show their knowledge on paper, sit and concentrate for long enough to listen and understand or be able to look after themselves as expected for their age. In addition, problems with sensory processing can make eating, changing for PE, finding the way, coping with others close by, toileting or taking part in physical activity highly challenging and anxiety-provoking.

As an Occupational Therapist with 30 years of experience, I know I can be most effective by collaborating with teaching staff.  I can reframe behaviours from a sensory perspective and provide strategies to deal with difficulties which are often due to a child’s immature nervous system.  The results can transform the child’s school life experience and, consequently, home life. 

Teachers have said that they have changed their teaching methods, the physical environment of their classroom and even how they understand children as a result of Occupational Therapy advice.  Parents have also gained a new understanding of their child’s needs and learnt how to be able to give them the support they so desperately want to provide to enable their child to reach their full potential.