Press Release
☷Sensory focused programs offered for EFMP families community
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Jan 27,2024
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Sierra Hochstatter , the librarian in charge of circulation and story time , had a fun moment with 2 - year - old Jack Weaver as they played and stacked books together after Sensory Story Time on January 19 , 2024 , at the Combined Arms Research Library in Fort Leavenworth , Kansas . Sensory Story Time takes place at 10 a . m . every third Friday of the month . The photo was taken by Prudence Siebert and appeared in the Fort Leavenworth Lamp . The screenshot is from a Microsoft Teams - based workshop called Understanding and Supporting Sensory Needs , which was part of the Empowering Families Lunch and Learn Workshop Series . The workshop was presented on January 18 , 2024 , by the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training ( K - CART ) at the University of Kansas and the Exceptional Family Member Programs at Fort Leavenworth , Fort Riley , and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita , Kansas . During the workshop , Dr . Becky Nicholson , a clinical assistant professor and director of the Occupational Therapy Education Department at the University of Kansas , explained Dunn ' s Model of Sensory Processing . She shared examples to help participants understand the four quadrants of the model: bystander , seeker , sensor , and avoider . The Fort Leavenworth Exceptional Family Member Program , along with other organizations , organized sensory - themed programs like online workshops and the monthly Sensory Story Time at the Combined Arms Research Library . They will continue to offer educational and supportive programs for EFMP families and the community . About 30 people attended the Microsoft Teams - based Understanding and Supporting Sensory Needs workshop , which was part of the Empowering Families Lunch and Learn Workshop Series . It was presented by the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training ( K - CART ) at the University of Kansas and the Exceptional Family Member Programs at Fort Leavenworth , Fort Riley , and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita . Dr . Becky Nicholson provided an overview of Dunn ' s Model of Sensory Processing , explaining how it categorizes individuals based on their sensory preferences . She emphasized that the goal is not to change someone ' s sensory processing pattern , but to help them participate and address their specific needs . We know that certain diagnoses , like attention deficit disorder and autism spectrum disorder , often come with a heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli . These individuals may have strong reactions to many things . Nicholson describes this as a problem - solving tool , rather than a one - size - fits - all solution . She emphasizes the importance of being aware of our own sensory needs in order to better understand how they may affect others or how we might project our own needs onto others . As adults , we have more control over our sensory exposure , but children do not . That ' s why it ' s important to identify their needs and find strategies to help them cope . Nicholson believes that parents understanding their own sensory preferences can help them better understand their children ' s preferences . She acknowledges that parents are the experts on their own kids , and she hopes to provide them with tools and discussion points for their team . Nicholson gives examples for each quadrant of the model . She explains how different individuals respond to sound , whether they are unaffected by it , seek it out , or try to avoid it . She encourages readers to think about their own sound preferences and what they do in certain situations . For example , some people need silence when working , while others prefer quiet music or background noise . When it comes to movement , Nicholson said it depends on your sensory preferences too . Some people don ' t even notice when they get scrapes or bruises because they ' re so unaware of their surroundings . Seekers , on the other hand , love rough play and always want to be in motion , like going on amusement rides or doing risky sports . Sensors want to be in control of their movement , like driving a car . And avoiders? They prefer sedentary activities and don ' t like a lot of movement . It ' s a bit tricky because seekers need movement to learn , but we gotta find the right balance for everyone . So , maybe allowing some people to stand up , change positions , or walk around , while making sure it doesn ' t disrupt those who prefer less movement . Oh , and by the way , there are people who think you can desensitize someone , but the evidence doesn ' t really support that . Your sensory preferences pretty much stay the same throughout your life , so we don ' t really try to change them , except in cases where a child has really specific limits on what they ' ll eat . In those situations , a sensory profile can be really helpful for caregivers and teachers to understand and accommodate the child ' s needs . School occupational therapists can provide a sensory profile , which you can also find at https://pearsonsassessments . com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional - Assessments/Motro - Sensory/Sensory - Profile - 2/p/100000822 . html . Most of the kids I ' ve worked with who have ADHD or are on the autism spectrum , or anyone who we could tell was having sensory reactions to things , we usually give them the sensory profile . Sensory processing is a complicated thing , and even though I ' ve spent a lot of time studying and learning about it , I still learn something new every day from children and families , and that ' s the part of my job that I enjoy the most . The Lunch and Learn Workshop Series programs are from noon to 1 p . m . on Microsoft Teams . Coming up , we have Step Ahead at Age Three on Feb . 15 , Movin ' On: Preparing for Your Next Move on March 21 , and Strategies for Supporting Your Child With Autism on April 18 . For more info or to sign up , call 913 - 684 - 2838/2871 .
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