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:	9781934575833
Publisher:	Future Horizons, Inc.
Publication date:	05/27/2011
Pages:	150
Sales rank:	390,460
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	11 Years

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 Universityof Missouri-St. Louis, as well as a B.S. in occupational therapy and an M.S. in special education (autism spectrum disorders) from the Universityof 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

INTRODUCTION

Common Characteristics of Students With ASD

Common Educational Approaches Used With Students With ASD

Sensory Processing Disorders and ASD

Overview of the Book

CHAPTER 1 Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorder

Our Senses

The Sensory Integration Process

Sensory Dysfunction

Sensory Dysfunction in Students With ASD

CHAPTER 2

Sensory Integration

Planning for Adolescents

Sensory Assessment

General Intervention Considerations

CHAPTER 3 A Sensory Buffet: Choosing the Right Interventions

Sensory Buffet

Sensory Systems

Putting It All Together: The “How To”

CHAPTER 4

Self-Regulation

Anxiety and Meltdowns

Ways to Teach Self-Regulation

CHAPTER 5

A Sensory Buffet as Part of Educational Programming

The Ziggurat Model

Case Study: Asid

Comprehensive Autism Planning System (CAPS)

Home-School Communication

Case Study: Miguel

CHAPTER 6

Sample Sensory Buffet Schedules for School

REFERENCES

APPENDIX

Teen Sensory Tools Survey

Adult/Adolescent Checklist (Age Twelve and Up)

Steps in Determining Intervention

Strategies for ROA (Registration Orientation Arousal) Difficulties

The Sensory Scan Worksheet

Ziggurat Worksheet

Comprehensive Autism Planning System Worksheet

The ECLIPSE Model

Self-Regulation Activity

Sensory Buffet School Communication Form

Sensory Buffet Home Communication Form

Website Resources

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