Mrs. Paschal’s Classroom Edit display name

About my class

I teach a self-contained classroom with eight wonderful students on the Autism Spectrum. Many of my students have a Sensory Processing Disorder. This Processing Disorder affects my students' ability to sit/stand and focus for an appropriate length of time to effectively learn. Children with a sensory processing disorder often "under register" movement. Their bodies just can't seem to get enough to endure tasks that require focusing and concentration. This affects my students not only academically, but mentally and socially. One way to help children with a Sensory Disorder is to provide an alternative seat, such as a ball chair to give them extra input. Bouncy Bands attached to student desks (and chairs) help release extra energy, anxiety, and nervousness by bouncing their feet or stretching their legs. This helps students focus in class and get more work done. Overly active students need calming activities. Allowing the student to have quiet fidget toys, chew toys/tubing, or squish/stress balls to squeeze during sitting and listening or during desk work times can help. Providing the overly active student with a weighted blanket, weighted pet or a weighted neck wrap can also help. Another student may be overstimulated by the classroom. A pressure vest can help to relieve anxiety by regulating the sensory system when it is overstimulated. We would greatly appreciate any donations that you could make toward this wish to help meet the sensory needs of my classroom!