Children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) may also have hyperactivity (ADHD) or dyslexia. Dyslexia is a neurobiological disorder characterized by poor reading and spelling. Children with ADD and/or learning disabilities are more likely to have difficulties with sensory processing---making sense of movement, touch and visual information. Occupational therapy programs help children attend and learn by adapting the environment and activities.
The Alert Program
The Alert Program also called "How Does Your Engine Run" was created by Mary Sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger to help children learn to self-regulate. Children who have sensory processing challenges and difficulties attending have nervous systems that become easily over-stimulated. They may scream when the fire alarm goes off or cry when they get pushed waiting on line. The program teaches children that their brains are like "engines" that are sometimes running fast and sometimes running slow and that the goal is to make the engine work "just right." The child learns how to achieve this state by engaging in activities that bring their engine up or down according to their needs at any given time. High engines can be slowed down by squeezing balls, dimming lights and listening to relaxing music. Sleepy engines can be perked up with erratic music, dancing, bright lights and tickles.
A Sensory Diet
Occupational therapists design what is called "sensory diets" so that children receive the type of sensory stimulation they need to remain focused and learn throughout the school day. The diet may include movement activities such as jumping on a trampoline, rolling down an incline or swinging; activities that stimulate muscles such as propelling a scooter board, playing tug of war or squeezing putty, or touch activities such as crawling through a cloth tunnel or wearing a heavy blanket or vest for short periods of time. The therapist takes data to determine which types of sensory activities help the child's brain to become better organized for learning. These activiies prepare the child's brain to develop the visual perceptual skills needed to read and write.
Brain Gym
Some occupational therapists incorporate movement activities from the Brain Gym program created by Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D. This program is designed to improve communication between the left and right sides of the brain using whole-body movements such as drawing giant-sized infinity signs on a board or touching the right hand to the left foot and left hand to right foot while hopping. Brain gym is based on the theory that improved communication between the two sides of the brain will decrease hyperactivity and increase focus.
Visual Perception Programs
Children with dyslexia and sensory processing disorders may have difficulties interpreting visual information such as how the letters "b" and "d" are different. Visual perception programs are designed to promote skills to copy shapes, dot patterns, block designs and other tasks that involve interpreting visual information. The theory is that a child should first develop these foundational skills before learning to read and write. Other visual perceptual activities that occupational therapists frequently use include puzzles, construction toys, work sheets that require finding matching pictures or shapes, finding hidden shapes in a busy background (sometimes called "hidden pictures") and completing drawings of shapes.
References
- "Building Bridges through Sensory Integration"; Ellen Yack, Paula Aquilla & Shirley Sutton; 2004
- "The Out-Of-Sync Child"; Carol Stock Kranowitz; 2006
- "Overcoming Dyslexia"; Sally Shaywitz, M.D.; 2003
- "Smart Moves"; Carla Hannaford, PH.D.; 1995
- "How Does Your Engine Run?"; Mary sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger; 1994
