Sensory Stimulation

Imagine not being able to move. Having no voluntary movement, whatsoever. Well for many students with multiple/severe handicaps, this is a reality everyday that they have no choice but to live with.

Often times I try to put myself in their place. Have you ever tried sitting in one spot and not moving for an hour? It is an absolute nightmare.

One thing I like to do with my students in sensory stimulation. This helps to "wake up" their senses. It allows them to feel textures, hear interesting noises, and smell soothing or stimulating scents.

In the above picture, I have shown one part of the sensory stimulation activity. This basket is about feeling various textures and feeling hard vs. soft, bumpy vs. smooth, etc.
Along with this, sometimes I use scented oils on cotten balls or Smencils (Smelly Pencils) to stimulate students' noses. Students may get relaxed by certain scents, awakened by others, or even agitated by some. It's just a matter of trial and error to figure out what scents have what effect on the student.

Sensory Schedule

I maintain a sensory schedule for my students with the most severe impairments. This schedule allows them to anticipate what is coming next since they may not comprehend me saying "Okay, it's time to get changed!".

The schedule is made up of meaningful objects for whatever activity is next:

• Spoon - Breakfast/Lunch
• Can - Can Bowling
• Bells - Music Time
• Piece of Diaper - Changing
• Piece of Vinyl - Stretches on Vinyl Table
• Piece of Folder - Group Time

Items like hairbrushes, toothbrushes, etc. can be used to indicate whatever schedule you desire. After some time, students may begin to show anticipation for the next activity. Using this schedule is a way for me to show my most severe students I care that they are ready to move on to the next part of the day. Since they cannot tell me whether or not they want to do something, the least I can do is give them a heads up that we are doing it.
I've experienced some students who when feel a certain object get extremely excited because they know a preferred activity is coming. It's... fantastic.