Sensory Movement and Regulation

Mayfield School Sensory Integration 

Mayfield has many students that have sensory processing difficulties. Within school, all staff are trained to support our pupils with sensory processing difficulties to regulate themselves to be ready to learn. This is overseen and audited by our Sensory Integration lead and when deemed necessary an outside OT is brought in to assess and support our pupils.

 What is Sensory Processing?

Sensory processing is a person’s ability to organise and process, incoming sensory information from the senses and respond appropriately to it. We have five well-known senses that are responses to external stimuli, (taste, smell, touch, sight and sound).  We then have less familiar senses such as vestibular and proprioception which are our internal senses.

The Vestibular sense is the ability to process information about our movement such as speed and balance this primarily is through the inner ear. The proprioception sense is the ability to process body position through our body’s muscles and ligaments.  

Being able to integrate this sensory information correctly is one of the basic building blocks for functioning in daily life.

When our students struggle to regulate their sensory processing, they can often show signs through their behaviour.

• They may have difficulty interacting with others
• Have problems paying attention
• Avoid certain stimuli and activities to avoid becoming overloaded or excessively aroused.
• They may become over anxious due to uncertainty and feelings of not feeling safe and secure.

The Support Mayfield Provides

At Mayfield we are proud of the Sensory Regulation support that we provide for our students.

• Completed sensory profile for all students to pinpoint specific individual needs.
• Ensuring pupils have an appropriate ‘sensory diet’. (A sensory diet is a planned and scheduled activity program that helps the pupil to stay calm, organised and alert throughout the day).
• Personalised sensory equipment available for pupils in all classrooms.
• Opportunities for pupils to regulate through regular, outdoor activity (sensory walks, outdoor sensory circuits, and active playtimes).
• Indoor or Outdoor P.E. sessions to encourage movement and physical activity.
• Trained Regulation Champions in every class.

Mayfield Multi-Disciplinary Team

Mayfield is in a unique position that we offer an in-house, multi-disciplinary panel to support our pupils needs, one of which being Sensory Processing and Integration.

Any member of staff can refer a pupil to the multi-disciplinary panel if a pupil is displaying signs of sensory dysregulation. The referrals are picked up by the Sensory Integration Lead, who will then observe the pupil within class alongside completing a sensory profile questionnaire with a familiar member of staff.  The Sensory Integration Lead will then offer support and strategies to help and promote sensory regulation within the class to support the pupil to enable them to regulate and become ready to learn. We also have a sensory profile questionnaire that parents are able to complete to help us provide a full picture of a pupils sensory needs and can help support the family through strategies and training.

In some instances, it may be that the Sensory Integration Lead may consult an Occupational Therapist if appropriate.

Training

Across the school, we understand the importance of our pupils being sufficiently regulated to support their learning and wellbeing. We implement whole-school sensory staff training, alongside designated ‘Sensory Regulation Champions’ within each class to promote and support good practice and initiatives for our pupils.

We provide training for both parents/guardians and transport assistants on a yearly basis to help enable them to understand the importance of sensory regulation. This will give them the confidence to support our pupils away from the school environment to regulate themselves.

Where to get help

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