OT Tip - Guest Post continued on SPD

THANK YOU to my mother in-law Debbie for continuing her guest posting on Sensory Processing Disorder. I hope you are enjoying her posts and are learning some good information. Next week will be her last post on this subject. If there is a topic that you would like us to discuss, please feel free to e-mail me! So let's get to her post now! 

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Are you or do you know of anyone that is easily distracted by background noises?  Or work with a child that is always distracted by sounds and asking “what’s that?” all the time and not being able to focus on what they need to be doing?  These could be symptoms of auditory sensory issues.

Auditory:  Hearing/interpreting, localize sounds, discrimination between sounds.

Symptoms:

·         Sensitive to lound sudden sounds

·         Distracted by background noises

Solutions:

Teachers/parents:

·         Headphones or ear plugs to block out background noises

·         Simplify language when giving instructins to the class

·         Give a verbal warning before lound sounds, like fire drills to cover  ears.

·         Theraputic Listening programs.

Visual sesitivities can also prevent a child from focusing and completing task.

Visual:  Acuity, ocular motor, visual motor, and visual perception.

Symptom:

Hypersensitivity:

·         Sensitive to sunlight or fluorescent lights

·         Overdistracted by classroom wall decorations

·         Poor hand-eye coordination

·         Difficulty tracking across a page while reading

·         Difficulty copying from chalkboard

Solutions:

Teachers:

·         Decrease wall decorations

·         Adjust light in classroom

·         Table easel

·         Window guide for reading

·         Copy from page or book at close range instead of    chalkboard

·         (hypo) colored overlays across pages while reading

·         Wicking around edge to provide tactile cues while coloring

·         Parents:

·         Screen and monitors at proper height

·         Play catch to help with eye-hand coordination

~ Debra 

Disclaimer: I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. The advise in these tips is not a replacement for medical advise from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult their advice if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child.