The Sensory Book

Currently, I’m reading a fantastic book called Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight by Sharon Heller. This book is a great resource for those who suffer from Sensory Defensiveness which can be a debilitating disorder and affects approximately 15% of the population. Time Magazine discusses this important book in a recent article ‘Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast‘. So when you think things might be too loud, too bright, too fast or too tight… Life might be giving you a taste on what a Sensory Defensive Disorder feels like.

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Therapy in Art

How Art can express things in our heart when we are speechless!

There is a wonderful program called Art Therapy that allows individuals to express themselves through mediums of Art. When I was working in England I had the opportunity to talk to an Art Therapist. It was transforming and gave me a new perspective into the importance of Art. To read more on this fabulous expression check out the follow link:

http://artinhand.org/

 

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Autism in the Home

 

BBC has a feature documentary on parents and their children who have Autism. I have yet to watch the program, but it looks like a fair exploratory program. On a side note if you live outside of the UK, download the free ExpatShield software and then you can watch this UK program on BBC iplayer. To read about this insightful program click on the following link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17755247.

 

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Sensory Fun!

I have recently discovered a wonderful new website called Pinterest.  It is a great website to find creative and interesting ideas… it will definitely get you saying, ‘What a great idea!’ or at least giggling.  I came across a link on Pinterest called  OT Ideas  (Occupational Therapy Ideas) which has some wonderful ideas on how to make different sensory crafts and equipment for individuals who may have sensory progressing difficulties.  Click on the link and check it out… But just a warning  give yourself some time if you chose to click it’s definitely a fun site to browse!

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Hands On!

Field trips have been one of my highlights in teaching.  I am continually surprised at the comments and reactions I get from students.  I remember doing a girls’ self-esteem weekend away and a number of the girls saying that they had never been outside of their town.  They were 14 and 15-year-old girls!  There is something about students getting to experience the material they are learning through hands-on opportunities and understanding concepts with their full senses.  I find that field trips bond individuals together and bring a new dimension to relationships within the classroom.  In regards to students with learning difficulties they get a day where they do not have to feel that they writing or reading abilities will limit them in the field trip.  They get to be like ‘everyone else’ …. when they stand among the tall cedars of a forest or put their hands in a touch pool at the Aquarium.

I discovered this lovely little website that seems to have lots of great field trip ideas in British Columbia.  I wish I had discovered it earlier.  Hope it is useful for you.

http://www.bcfieldtrips.ca/about

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