Homeschooling with Sensory Processing Disorder

I have had the privilege of being able to watch some talented OTs work with my 6 yr. old son, and have learned alot from them about how to help him adjust to his surroundings and maximize his potential during school seatwork time. I wanted to share what we do with him (I say we, b/c when you homeschool, everyone's involved) on a daily basis. I would not do all of the following in one day, I took these pictures over a period of several school days.

There are different types of SPD, and you can learn more about it in the blog I wrote here. Between the 2 OTs my son has worked with they both discovered he required a great deal of heavy work and stimulation to be "grounded" in order to sit down and focus on a task, especially one that requires coordination and dexterity. Here are some of the things we do.

Tug-of-war with a towel

Climbing up and down the stairs on all fours

Pushing furniture from one side of the room to the other

Swinging

Swinging with an added sibling for weight. :) Don't worry, this part only lasted a moment.

"Wheel barrow" walking

Oh how I love this shot. "sandwiching". Can't you tell how much he is enjoying it? (on the bottom) And don't you love how I am the only one posing for the picture?

 The after "sandwiching" shot

Another sandwiching shot, without me (phew!) He's in the red shirt

As for seatwork, there are 2 things I wanted to share. 

When my son's current OT started working with him this year, we could not figure out a good grip for him to get a proper grasp on the pencil when writing. Because of his challenges, he was very shaky, unable to control his lines. Then she recommended this grip. In my layman terms, she said it might be better because the pencil was lined up with his middle finger, which allowed a direct connection to his neuro-receptors. I think I explained it roughly the way she did : /. All I know is, it worked like a charm!

Here's one activity to improve dexterity with fingers, easy to put together. Just a box and some clothespins. I numbered them and asked him to put them on and take them off one at a time in order.

You might ask, why go to all this trouble? What good will it do? Does it really make a difference?

Last year, this time, he was barely able to make shapes. Maybe a deformed circle. Not much more than that. And then the other day, he drew his first stickman in his math book.

 Is that not the cutest stickman you have ever SEEN?! I think he is wearing boxing gloves. Not a big deal for an ordinary six yr. old. But for him, a momentous occassion.