Occupational, Speech/Language, and mental health therapists can work in conjunction with teachers to integrate sensory integration and mindfulness activities with positive behavioral support preventive interventions. Sensory Integration can help enhance emotion regulation and behavior. Synthesizing sensory integration with positive behavioral support strategies comprehensively addresses the development of sensory seeking, novelty seeking, and impulsive behaviors associated with conduct disorder behaviors. The synthesis of sensory integration and behavioral strategies has been extremely affective for my students with behavioral, psychiatric, sensory processing, and learning challenges.
Occupational therapists using sensory integration benefit from synthesizing the Sensory Integration and Positive Behavioral Support frames of reference to improve student’s occupational performance at home and school. It is important to work with teachers, families, as well as Speech/language and mental health therapists in schools to comprehensively address the learning needs of children with behavioral, sensory processing, and learning challenges. While schools tend to delegate the students needs (e.g., cognitive, psychological, physical, social) to diverse professionals they come to school as whole unique individuals.
The DECA and PATHS positive behavioral support programs work well in conjunction with occupational, speech/language, and mental health therapy intervention. The DECA assessment address the resiliency skills of attachment, initiative, and self-control while also screening for internalizing and externalizing behavior concerns. If a child has difficulties in self-control (e.g., never listen to or respect others) this goal area can be comprehensively addressed to improve learning. Examples of sensory integration classroom modifications that help address this goal are a sensory quiet area for use when becoming upset, a study carol to limit distractions, and a wall pushup bulletin board.
Infusing mindfulness movement activities into the PATHS positive behavioral support program can help hyper-reactive students pay attention.
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The PATHS program includes lessons regarding understanding feelings, respecting others, and providing reinforcement for respecting others. Too often school staff members are so busy dealing with problem behaviors that we forget to reinforce the behaviors we want. Collaboration between teachers and occupational, speech/language and mental health therapists in the schools can enhance positive behavioral support programs and student behavior.
References:
Fishbein, D. & Tarter, R. (2009). Infusing neuroscience into the study and prevention of drug misuse and co-occurring aggressive behavior. Substance Use & Misuse, 44,1204-1235.
Greenberg, M.T. (2006). Promoting resilience in children and youth: Preventive interventions and their interface with neuroscience. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1094; 139-150.
