Sensory Input

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated May 28, 2024
Students with visual impairments, along with students with other sensory impairments, often perceive information inaccurately or seek addition sensory input in order to focus or calm themselves. Poor sensory processing can make it difficult for a student to perform functional and academic tasks. Providing sensory input strategies tailored to the individual needs of students with visual impairments can greatly support their sensory processing and overall well-being. Students' behaviors can provide clues to sensory-processing problems. Students may react too much (hyper-) or too little (hypo-) to various sensations. The goal is to provide an environment that will help the student become better at interpreting and organizing sensory information. The first step is to identify the type of sensory information the student is seeking. In general, students who react too little need an alerting program, while those who react too much to stimuli need a calming environment. Consider the following areas and strategies.
  • Tactual Input: Encourage the exploration of various textures through tactile activities like finger painting, playing with sensory bins filled with different materials, or using textured toys and objects. Offer weighted blankets or vests to provide calming deep pressure. Introduce massage or gentle touch activities to promote relaxation and sensory regulation. Incorporate activities that involve firm, sustained touch, such as squeezing stress balls or playing with therapeutic putty.
  • Proprioceptive Input: Provide opportunities for heavy work activities like pushing or pulling heavy objects, carrying weighted backpacks or bags, or engaging in resistance exercises. Offer deep-pressure activities like squeezing or hugging to provide proprioceptive input. Create sensory paths or obstacle courses that involve crawling, jumping, or climbing to stimulate proprioceptive receptors.
  • Visual Input: Adjust lighting levels to create a calm and comfortable environment. Use dimmer switches or natural light when possible. Offer visual stimulation through calming activities like watching gentle movements, such as a lava lamp or a bubble tube. Provide visually soothing materials like soft colors, natural landscapes, or calming images to promote relaxation.
  • Gustatory Input: Offer a variety of flavored foods or snacks to provide sensory input through taste. Encourage chewing or sucking activities with appropriate chew toys or gum to promote self-regulation. Provide opportunities for cooking or baking activities to engage the sense of taste and smell.
  • Auditory Input: Create a quiet and calm environment by minimizing background noise and distractions. Offer calming sounds like nature sounds, white noise, or instrumental music to promote relaxation. Use noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to reduce auditory sensitivity in noisy environments.
  • Vestibular Input: Incorporate movement activities like swinging, rocking, spinning, or bouncing to stimulate the vestibular system. Offer balance and coordination activities like walking on balance beams, climbing stairs, or playing on playground equipment. Provide opportunities for gentle rocking or swaying motions to promote relaxation and sensory regulation.
  • Olfactory Input: Introduce calming scents like lavender, chamomile, or vanilla through aromatherapy diffusers or scented candles. Offer scented sensory materials like scented playdough or scented markers to engage the sense of smell. Provide opportunities for cooking or baking activities to stimulate the olfactory senses.
  • Calming Strategies: Teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness exercises. Create a calming sensory corner or safe space where students can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. Encourage the use of sensory tools or aids like stress balls, fidget toys, or weighted blankets to promote relaxation and self-regulation.
 
By incorporating these sensory input strategies into the learning environment, you can support students with visual impairments in effectively processing sensory information and promoting their overall well-being.

Material Suggestions...

Sensory Learning Kit
Sensory Learning Kit
This kit, available from APH, is for use in the development of skills for learners with the most significant challenges. It contains sensory items to increase curiosity and develop skills. My favorite item in this kit is by far the Power Select. It allows the user to connect a switch to activate items plugged into the device. You can adjust the settings to adjust the time the item is activated to meet the student's unique needs.

ECC Instruction

Teaching Strategies
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development
Alternative Communication
Emergent Literacy
​Access Print
​Access Environmental Print
Pre-Braille 
Braille Code
​​Braille Formatting
​Braillewriter​​Slate & Stylus​​Tactile Graphics​Nemeth Code​Access Classes​Abacus ​Organize​​Study Skills​Time Management​​​​Listening Skills
Assistive Technology
Social Skills
Self Determination
Self Determination Skills
Sensory Efficiency
Sensory Input
​​​Sensory Areas & Rooms​​​Auditory ReadinessVisual Efficiency Skills​Optical Device Instruction​Tactual Efficiency​Tactile Readiness ​
Independent Living
Personal Care
Hygiene & GroomingPersonal HealthHousehold Skills
Shopping & Consumerism
  • Shopping
  • Grocery Stores
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Expiration Dates
Eating & Table MannersClothing IdentificationTelephone
  • Telephone Use
Food PreparationMoney & Budget
  • ​Money & Budget
  • Money Management
  • Receipts​
  • Payment Methods
  • Buying or Packing Lunch
  • Personal Belongings
  • Paying with Checks
  • Interpret a Warranty
  • School Fundraisers
  • Housing Decisions
  • Paying Bills
  • Vending Machine Purchase
Service Agencies
  • Service Agencies
​Safety
  • General Home Safety
  • Emergencies
  • Evacuations
  • Seeking Shelter
  • Accidents & First Aid
  • Internet Safety
  • Safety
  • Using Locks
Orientation & Mobility
Recreation & Leisure
Career & Vocational
Job AwarenessMaintain Job
  • Address Employer Concerns
  • Maintain Employment
  • Following School Rules
  • Work Related Skills
  • Assuming Responsibilities