Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello everyone,
My son , aged 8, was diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum in August, although we have always known that he is. One area that is of real benefit to him, is Occuaptional Therapy, which is helping resolve some sensory issues that he has.
Our problem is getting the school on board. While they are happy to recognise he has sensory needs, they will not implement our sensory diet in school. We are getting a lot of lip service and recognition of his needs, but nothing concrete to help him throughout the day. These are simple things such as stretches, carrying, blowing, jumping and bouncing etc. He should do them at set times of day.
Does anyone else follow a sensory diet? and how does your school implement it? are they on board with it? or does your child manage it himself?
Thank you. Sorry, to clarify 'Sensory Diet' are activities throughout the day to regulate his behaviour and sensory needs. For example, he bounces on a small trampoline before school to calm him down, otherwise he is jumping and clapping all the way to school. It is something that really works for him. He should also undertake the load bearing/weighty activity to improve his muscle strength. He is very weak and struggles with some tasks like buttons and clips. The Occupational Therapist met with the school to explain this, however they had not read the report and even mislaid it.
Sorry for the confusion and thank you for the reply.
This is similar to the sensory exercises my daughter does she bounces up and down on the spot ( no trampoline would be a recipe for disaster with the other kids!) then does stretching and Co ordination activities then strength pushing against a wall. She does some of these at playtime and lunchtime she started this herself as she felt better after doing them at home so just started doing it at school!
Wow that great and brilliant that she recognises how much it helps her :-) I'm hoping my son will be able to take it on himself, without guidance from teachers .....but we shall see.