Abstract
OT is at the forefront of trauma and self-regulation, but it is not always considered when addressing classroom behavior. This study highlights the importance of educating teachers on sensory strategies to reduce maladaptive behaviors.
Primary Author and Speaker: Audrie A. Vantangoli
Additional Authors and Speakers: Rae Ann Smith
Contributing Authors: Robin Medina
Understanding the sensory systems, their development, and their impact on behavior can provide crucial information regarding trends related to effective behavioral management within the classroom, thus impacting the educator’s ability to maintain a safe and effective learning environment. Sixty-seven percent of general education teachers report participating in only one stand-alone course on classroom management despite behaviors consisting of more than half of the daily classroom disruptions (National Center for Educational Statistics [NCES], 2022). Educating teachers on the sensory systems and their impact on learning will help educators implement effective strategies to prevent dysregulation in their students. Approximately forty educators from an elementary school in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, participated in a six-session in-depth training on the development of sensory systems and their impact on learning and behaviors. Using a two-tailed t-test, pre-and post-test scores for each of the six sessions were compared. Additionally, course evaluations were completed after each session to examine the perceived effectiveness of the training material on classroom management. Results from this study indicate a statistically significant increase in the knowledge and perceived effectiveness of sensory education to support effective classroom management skills. Utilizing sensory strategies can help organize and filter information coming into the central nervous system to assist with regulation and change arousal levels. (Ma et al., 2021). Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to promote sensory integration to minimize behaviors in school-based settings. This study highlights the importance of occupational therapists in teaching educators how to employ sensory strategies to help address common behavioral concerns within the classroom to create a safe, neuro-affirming environment for learning.
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National Education Association (NEA). (2022). More than 80 percent of U.S. public schools report pandemic has negatively impacted student behavior and socio-emotional development. NEA What’s New. https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/07_06_2022.asp