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.
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