A Buffet of Sensory Interventions: Solutions for Middle and High School Students With Autism

by Susan L. Culp MS, OTR/L MS, OTR/L

Overview

Does your middle or high school student struggle with sensory challenges? A Buffet of Sensory Interventions: Solutions for Middle and High School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders offers a smorgasbord of sensory-based interventions for use by educators, occupational therapists and parents. This practical and well-researched tool is unique because it focuses on middle and high school students, whose sensory needs are often overlooked. For this age group, the author emphasizes the importance of fostering independence, self-advocacy and self-regulation as a way to for teens with autism to take ownership of their sensory needs as they transition into adulthood. Using simple terminology and illustrations, the book also explains sensory basics, describes the sensory systems, discusses sensory challenges experienced by those with autism, and helps develop daily educational interventions through assessment of sensory needs. Parents and educational team members working with teens with autism will benefit from adding this resource to their library.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781957984674
Publisher:	Future Horizons, Inc.
Publication date:	05/27/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Susan L. Culp, MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics with over 14 years of experience in both school-based and home health settings. She has a B.S. in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, as well as a B.S. in occupational therapy and an M.S. in special education (autism spectrum disorders) from the University of Kansas. In the school-based setting, Susan works with children of all capabilities and ages from preschool to 21 years old. She is especially interested in helping children with diagnoses of sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental delays reach their full potential.

Table of Contents

PREFACE   1

INTRODUCTION  5

Common Characteristics of Students With ASD   5

Common Educational Approaches Used With Students With ASD  7

Sensory Processing Disorders and ASD  8

Overview of the Book   13

CHAPTER 1

Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder  15

Our Senses  15

The Sensory Integration Process   17

Sensory Dysfunction   29

Sensory Dysfunction in Students With ASD   38

CHAPTER 2

Sensory Integration Planning for Adolescents  41

Sensory Assessment  41

General Intervention Considerations   48

CHAPTER 3

A Sensory Buffet: Choosing the Right Interventions   53

Sensory Buffet   54

Sensory Systems   57

Putting It All Together: The “How To”  86

CHAPTER 4

Self-Regulation  89

Self-Regulation and Students With ASD  90

Anxiety and Meltdowns   95

Ways to Teach Self-Regulation  98

CHAPTER 5

A Sensory Buffet as Part of Educational Programming  107

The Ziggurat Model   107

Case Study: Asid  110

Comprehensive Autism Planning System (CAPS)  112

Home-School Communication  114

Case Study: Miguel  118

CHAPTER 6

Sample Sensory Buffet Schedules for School  123

REFERENCES  127

APPENDIX  133

Teen Sensory Tools Survey  134

Adult/Adolescent Checklist (Age Twelve and Up)  135

Steps in Determining Intervention Strategies for ROA

(Registration Orientation Arousal) Difficulties  138

The Sensory Scan Worksheet  139

Ziggurat Worksheet  141

Comprehensive Autism Planning System Worksheet  142

The ECLIPSE Model Self-Regulation Activity  143

Sensory Buffet School Communication Form  144

Sensory Buffet Home Communication Form  145

Website Resources  146

Editorial Reviews

"This book promotes understanding and delivers solutions to address the sensory piece of the puzzle for many students. The word 'buffet' reflects abundant possibilities for teens, parents, administrators, teachers, therapists, and other health professionals. Susan has masterfully compiled helpful examples of everyday challenges; visuals portraying the sensory systems; proactive strategies to keep students self-regulated; and self-advocacy programs to assist teens in standing up for themselves." —Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Henry OT Services, Inc.

"Finally sensory-based interventions targeted to middle and high school students with autism! This 'buffet' of interventions is unique to teen development as it seeks a collaborative dialogue among providers, including assessment as well as input from the teen. It is sensitive to issues teens face daily in their school and social environments while dealing with sensory issues that can interfere with completing school-related tasks. It seeks to facilitate the teen with regard to recognizing his/her own sensory needs, becoming a self-advocate for modifications to the environment, and ultimately being able to self-regulate independently. In so doing it will maximize students' learning abilities." —Susan R. Collins, MS

"Removes much of the mystery surrounding sensory issues in middle and high school students. This well-organized, easy-to-read book can be used by parents, school professionals, and other therapists who work with middle and high school students with sensory needs. Ms. Culp presents a wealth of sensory-based intervention strategies and offers ways in which to organize them throughout the day so as to most effectively assist students. I am excited to have a new resource to use in the classrooms in which I consult and in my office with the children and adolescents with whom I work. This is a must-read for anyone trying to help students survive the sensory challenges encountered in middle school and high school." —Lauren H. Kerstein, LCSW

From the Publisher