Faculty Advisor(s)

Lori Charney

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Abstract

The Sensational Students Sensory Program focused on the areas of program development, clinical skills, and education. It was developed and implemented for Dallas Area School District to empower students' knowledge about their emotions and how their body feels when they experience certain emotions. Resources and tools were developed for students to use as self-regulation strategies. The students had the opportunity to participate in group sessions with peers to create sensory tools to build a sensory toolbox they could use during the school day to help with self-regulation. The goal was to help these students better understand their emotions and how self-regulation would impact their ability to focus and be attentive to instruction for improved participation and academic performance in the classroom environment. The sensory rooms in the schools were also restructured and reorganized to be more effective and efficiently used when students would come in for self-regulation opportunities throughout the school day. Sensory diets were specifically created for each student to guide them through the proper use of the sensory rooms. Educational training sessions were also provided to the students’ aides regarding the purpose of the sensory room and the safe and proper way to engage with the sensory equipment. The Sensational Students Sensory Program identified the distinct value of Occupational Therapy in assisting primary level students in their journey of sensory regulation strategies to profoundly impact their academic progression in a public-school setting.

Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Poster

Department

Occupational Therapy

Keywords

sensory regulation, school system, occupational therapy, doctoral project

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy

The Sensational Students Sensory Program

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