Initial research supports the efficacy of improving interoceptive body awareness difficulties in a school setting to promote self-regulation and school participation (Mahler et al., 2022). Interoceptive body awareness provides foundational embodiment forming our felt sense of self. Interoceptive awareness carries information about our internal state through unmyelinated fibers that convey internal body signals (cuddling relational touch, thirst, heart rate, itch, pain). Difficulties with interoceptive awareness and sensory processing are significantly more common in students with Autism Spec ..read more

The FAB Strategies for Learning Readiness Form (FAB Strategies Form) can be applied in a variety of ways by therapists and teachers. FAB Strategies Form Description Blog Although the FAB Strategies Form is copyrighted therapists and teachers have my permission to use it with their students. The FAB Strategies Form can be used as a quick checklist of evidence-based learning readiness strategies for students with developmental and learning challenges. The strategies are categorized into four sections: Environmental Adaptations, Sensory Modulation, Positive Behavior Support and Physical Self-reg ..read more

The FAB Strategies for Learning Readiness form was developed for school practice through 30 years of clinical research and practice. This form enables school therapists and teachers to develop an individualized program for students 5-22 years old who have developmental and behavioral challenges that promotes learning readiness. The entire team can be consistent in their treatment by literally being on the same page. Despite its copyright all therapists and teachers have my permission to copy and use my new FAB Form to help their students by clicking the link below.  FABFormforLearningRea ..read more

Though not extensively discussed sensory processing difficulties can negatively impact emotional regulation in individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). October 10th is both Sensory Processing Awareness month and World Mental Health Awareness day, making it a good time to consider the relationship between sensory processing disorders and PTSD.   Sensory processing disorders are more common in individuals with PTSD due to its influences on the sensory systems and arousal levels that provide the foundation for self-control. Many individuals who have PTSD struggle with senso ..read more

I was deeply moved by “the knitting brain” picture from Emily Balog. It instantly transported me to my experience as an OT student over 40 years ago during my affiliation in Mental Health OT at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It all started when a COTA who was part of my supervision team started teaching me to knit saying “John, this is what OT is all about”. A psychiatric nurse on my unit saw me, and was inspired to knit a blanket for our Psychiatric Resident who was expecting a baby. The psychiatric resident knitted the nurse a thank you gift, and pretty soon many patients and staff  were knit ..read more

Practical antecedent strategies are described that can be used by therapists and teachers to prevent inappropriate behavior in students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Helpful antecedent strategies for regular use by therapists and teachers include: engaging favorite activities, giving choices, introducing students to the materials and people they will be interacting with before learning tasks, a period of play with favorite toys before beginning challenging tasks, and alternating problems students already know with challenging new items (Newcomb & Hagopian, 2018; Rivera et al., 2019 ..read more

Sensory modulation disorders are strongly associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder “PTSD”.  Research found over three quarters of youth with PTSD had sensory modulation disorders, compared to five percent in the general population.  Sensory modulation disorders significantly associated with childhood trauma are: hyperarousal (including auditory defensiveness, tactile defensiveness, as well as gravitational insecurity), hypoarousal, and sensory avoidance. The specific sensory modulation disorder and sensory systems affected vary with the abuse or neglect experienced (Teicher et ..read more

Sensory modulation disorders are strongly associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder “PTSD”.  Research found over three quarters of youth with PTSD had sensory modulation disorders, compared to five percent in the general population.  Sensory modulation disorders significantly associated with childhood trauma are: hyperarousal (including auditory defensiveness, tactile defensiveness, as well as gravitational insecurity), hypoarousal, and sensory avoidance. The specific sensory modulation disorder and sensory systems affected vary with the abuse or neglect experienced (Teicher et ..read more

Behavioral challenges significantly impact learning and occupational performance in school. Preventing and responding to behavioral problems is an important part of the school occupational therapists’ scope of practice. School occupational therapy practitioners can collaborate with school staff to increase the effectiveness of trauma-informed restraint and seclusion reduction efforts. This involves a 3-tiered approach including environmental adaptations, sensory strategies, and mindful movement breaks embedded in the school schedule (Pagano & Cahill, 2021). A Canadian behavioral school pro ..read more

  Mindfulness (breathing, movement, self-touch activities) and sensory  strategies (suspended swinging, massage, interoceptive awareness specific light touch, sensory modulation, sensory discrimination, as well as mechanical pressure touch through brushing, therapy ball rolling, or the Steam Roller Deluxe) can be extremely helpful interventions for youth with Post-Traumatic Stress, Autism Spectrum and developmental disorders. FAB Strategies lists mindfulness activities in a graded developmental sequence. Therapists can maximize the functional skills of clients by integrating graded m ..read more