Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Traditional Classroom settings can have a negative impact on the behavior of students. In this project the student researcher compared traditional classroom behavioral strategies to integrated universal sensory intervention programs on school performance and behavior. As occupational therapy practitioners, it is important to provide education to teachers on universal sensory integration interventions to help adapt the classroom environment. These interventions can help students self-regulate in an overstimulating classroom setting. In this project, an in-service was created and presented to five primary grade level teachers and one occupational therapist. They were presented with a pre- and post-survey to be completed before and after the presentation. 2 The surveys included eight questions based on a five-point Likert Scale. This allowed the student researcher to interpret the quantitative data. The pre-survey included four additional questions to gather teacher's demographic information. The objectives of the in-service included providing what occupational therapy (OT) is, how OT can be utilized in the classroom, what sensory integration is, and what sensory dysregulation is with different behaviors. In addition, it provided education on sensory integrations strategies to help students self-regulate in the classroom to decrease negative behaviors, and how to provide a classroom environment that isn't overstimulating. This aims for teachers to gain insight into the concept of universal sensory interventions and increase their knowledge about their benefits compared to the traditional classroom setting. The in-service was successful in improving education and understanding regarding the benefits of universal sensory strategies on student behavior in the traditional classroom setting.

Publication Date

4-15-2024

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