Understanding the Evolving Needs of our Students within a Post-Traumatic Environment�

Dr Raymond T Heipp

January 24, 2024

Description

We have seen a change in the needs of our students as we move away from the pandemic years. These changes are affecting our students in both their mental and physical health. What can we do as therapists to best address these needs as well as help them to create lifelong habits which support their learning and living? When we reduce anxiety in our classrooms, we ready all students to be open for learning. Join us as we identify shifting trends in our learner profiles and share proven solutions through sensory tools, assistive technology and holistic spaces.

Activity 1

Using Breathing as a “warm-up”

• Think of one student you want to help

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• 4x4 method
• Inhale for 4 seconds
• Hold for 4 seconds
• Exhale for 4 seconds
• Repeat three more times

What are we seeing in our students?

• Higher levels of anxiety and stress
• Dependent upon age range, a cognitive and physical roller coaster effect
• Need for a differentiated awareness of holistic approaches

Thinking Thematically

• Sensory
• Access
• Literacy

Why the shift in Sensory?

• Pandemic caused levels of PTSD on individuals
• External environmental stressors have increased
• Dependent upon age range, proper cognitive processing for events and issues may not have taken place

Sensory Supports in our practices

• Breathing exercises
• Yoga
• Use of Manipulatives
• Visual Timers
• Sensory Spaces

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Manipulatives and Visual Timers

• Release of kinetic energy to promote focus
• Fine motor work incorporated and developed into a life skill
• Visual timers decrease levels of anxiety and increase awareness around time for activities

Sensory Spaces

• Keep it simple and effective
• Understand the purpose of the space
• Understand your students and their needs
• Don’t use a single definition of “space”

Activity 2

Quick refocus at your seat

• Put your hands on the armrests or sides of your chair
• Push yourself up 3 times
• Cross your arms and rest your hands on the opposite shoulders
• Give yourself a big hug
• Say “Today is a good day” out loud
• Bring your hands over your head and clap them together

Access

• Educational and Life environments have discernably been altered
• Access is NOT a “one-size-fits-all” proposition
• Access does need to be tailored – YOU do NOT need to know everything

Tools for Access

• Computer/tablet controls and settings
• Switches and alternative controls
• Literacy Tools for reading and word identification

Literacy and Support through our therapies

• Utilization of Literacy-specific tools
• Creating neural pathways which augment the learning process through movement and visual stimuli
• Incorporation of sensory supports for greater focus

Quick Myths

• “Kids are resilient – they will be fine”
• “Give the student an iPad and they will be able to do the work”
• “This device has worked for others with similar issues, so they need to work at using it properly”

Activity 3

• Think of that student you identified at the beginning
• Write down one thing you learned today that might be good to use with that student
• Say out loud “I got this!” and clap your hands

Recap

• Our students are in a much different environment than they ever have been
• Keep the themes of Sensory, Access, and Literacy in mind
• There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach
• Look at holistic approaches which can then be translated into life skills

Questions?

Dr Ray Heipp

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rheipp@schoolhealth.com