Our senses play an important role in how we experience and process information, and they can have a significant impact on students in the classroom.
Multisensory Integration
We experience smell, touch, hearing, sight, movement, pressure, etc. Our brains need to integrate and process these sensory inputs, and this process is different for every student. By using strategies such as multisensory instruction, educators can better support every student’s unique sensory needs.
Sensory Self-Regulation
Sensory regulation strategies are strategies which use the senses to help with regulation. The goal when using sensory regulation strategies is to help the individual to regulate. Sometimes the individual may need to increase their arousal level. This would mean using a sensory regulation strategy that would make them more alert. Alternatively, sometimes they may need to decrease their arousal level. So, they will need a sensory regulation strategy to helm them to calm down.
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Related Topics
- Check out our page on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to learn more about self-regulation resources. Self-regulation is part of the SEL competency known as Self-Management.
- If you suspect that a child may have a disability in this area, visit our Special Education page to learn about Minnesota’s disability categories.
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Connect
 If a student with an IFSP or IEP exhibits sensory needs, their team may include an Occupational Therapist (OT). Click 'More...' to learn about how OTs support students.
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