Today’s Workshop• Sensory vs Behavioral• Mindfulness• Parent Involvement

Sensory vs Behavioral

Is it Sensory or Behavioral• Most likely than not, it is BOTH!• Sensory and behavior are directly

linked at all times. We take in information from the environment through our senses in order to then give a behavioral output.

Play Detective!• By playing detectives I mean create

a little journal or a mental note of 3 things:

1- what was the antecedent 2-what is your child's reaction3-what helped them calm

Behavioral• If something is more behavioral in

nature:1- it's usually purpose driven2-the child can turn it on and off at will3- usually stops once they get their

way4-responds well to clear boundaries,

structure 

SensoryIf something is more sensory in nature:1- it's outside of your child's control2-a child cannot turn it on and off at will. On the

contrary you give in to the request and they still can't calm 

3-takes longer to calm4-does not respond to behavior modification

techniques alone5-responds well to flexibility of the sensory

situation within a structure and routine. Ex: earphones in the cafeteria 

Reality Check ;)• Many many times what I have seen is

that it is a combination of both! So you will have to use sensory strategies as well as behavioral modifications!!

 • A lot of strategies will be trial and error.

There is no cookie cutter approach that works best because every child is different and responds differently.

Tantrum vs MeltdownTantrum MeltdownAttitude is EVERYTHING!Remain Calm. Consciously decide not to buy into it.

Attitude is EVERYTHING!Remain calm. No need to change it but experience it with your child

Safety first Safety firstLearning experience. Boundaries, making requests, frustration tolerance

Cathartic experience come out of it happy. Let them channel that frustration

IGNORE!!!! Walk then through it words kind and gentle soft music song preferred you itemAnything heavy

Ask yourself. What do I want my child to learn.

Get clues as to input seeking. Provide the environment that supports and encourages to calm.

Mindfulness

Definition of Mindfulness• The definition of mindfulness is a

mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

As an OT when we want to help a child regulate, we can do it one of 2 ways:

1- Modify the environment to decrease the anxiety levels ex: using a visual schedule, minimizing irritating sounds

2-Teach children to gain self- control of their anxiety and well-being from the inside out through MINDFULNESS techniques

The newer approach to reducing stress is though mindfulness meditations.

Helps children to:• Be in the moment,• Focus on their breath rather than

listening to a ruminating thought and having to figure it out.

• It teaches self-control. See a thought pass through like a bystander and let it go by, not having to do anything about it.

Mindfulness for Young Children1-Meet them where they are at: videos work wonderfully. The

bubble, from go noodle Airtime space.2- Teach awareness of their breath, their beating heart. Give them a

visual for breathing ex: smell the flowers and blow out the candles3- Don’t expect them to do this laying down or with eyes closed,

don’t get fixated on what things have to look like focus on wanting to slow them down just a bit and be in the moment.

4- Be concrete use props like lilly pad and frog for Sitting Still like a frog

5- Use the 5 senses. Be concrete ex: awareness to sound, or touch, or taste Be in the moment.

If we can teach them to slow down and be in the moment, it will go a long way to later on teach them how to become in control of their wellness as young adults.

Parent Involvement

Parents and Teachers…Allies for success!

• It’s not a them and us attitude. It’s a we attitude. We are a team.

• I view the parent as the expert with the child• I am a child advocate first• Respect that there a normal and natural

progression of acceptance• You do not need to make assumptions or

judgments. Just DESCRIBE the behaviors.• Keep a PAPER TRAIL!• Involve the parents as much as possible especially

with children that make the slowest gains.

Miss MancyNancy Amar OTR/LTel: 786-384-0221Email: MissMancy@gmail.comWeb: www.MissMancy.com