Discovering What Matters Most Through Evidence Based Sensory Interventions

When it comes to our well-being and overall quality of life, addressing our sensory experiences is crucial. Our senses play a significant role in how we perceive the world around us, and they greatly impact our emotions, behaviors, and cognitive abilities. By understanding and utilizing evidence-based sensory interventions, we can uncover what truly matters to us and improve our overall sense of well-being.

What are sensory interventions? These interventions are activities or techniques designed to stimulate or soothe our various senses, such as touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight. They are widely used in therapy settings to help individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. However, even if you don't have a diagnosed condition, exploring sensory interventions can still have significant benefits for your overall well-being.

Working with Grieving and Traumatized Children and Adolescents: Discovering What Matters Most Through Evidence-Based, Sensory Interventions

by William Steele (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5495 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	273 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Sensory interventions can be categorized into three main types: calming, alerting, and organizing. Calming interventions aim to relax and soothe the senses, reducing stress and anxiety. Alerting interventions, on the other hand, focus on awakening and stimulating the senses, boosting energy and alertness. Organizing interventions help regulate sensory input, promoting focus and concentration.

Calming Sensory Interventions

Calming sensory interventions are particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with anxiety, stress, or sensory overload. These interventions help create a sense of peace and tranquility, allowing the mind and body to relax. Some examples of calming interventions include:

• Deep pressure activities or weighted blankets
• Gentle music or nature sounds
• Aromatherapy with calming scents like lavender or chamomile
• Soft lighting or creating a cozy atmosphere

Alerting Sensory Interventions

If you're feeling sluggish or have trouble staying focused, alerting sensory interventions can help boost your energy levels and enhance your alertness. These interventions aim to awaken and stimulate the senses, promoting a state of increased alertness and engagement. Examples of alerting interventions include:

• Engaging in physical activities or exercise
• Listening to upbeat music
• Chewing crunchy foods or chewing gum
• Using bright, vibrant colors in your environment

Organizing Sensory Interventions

Organizing sensory interventions are particularly useful for individuals who struggle with attention, focus, and sensory seeking behaviors. These interventions help regulate sensory input, allowing for a greater ability to concentrate and stay on task. Examples of organizing interventions include:

• Creating a structured routine or schedule
• Using visual supports like calendars or checklists
• Engaging in activities that involve deep pressure or resistance, such as yoga or weightlifting
• Using fidget toys or stress balls to provide tactile stimulation

Through the exploration of these sensory interventions, we can discover what truly matters to us. Each person's sensory preferences and needs are unique, meaning that different interventions will resonate with different individuals. It's important to experiment with different techniques and activities to find what works best for you.

When incorporating sensory interventions into your daily routine, start by identifying your sensory preferences. Do you prefer calm and soothing sensations, or do you thrive in highly stimulating environments? Understanding your sensory needs will help guide your selection of appropriate interventions for various situations.

Remember, evidence-based practices are essential when implementing sensory interventions. Consult with healthcare professionals, therapists, or experts in sensory integration to ensure you are utilizing safe and effective techniques. Evidence-based interventions have been thoroughly researched and proven to be beneficial for individuals with sensory processing difficulties and other related conditions.

Discovering what matters most through evidence-based sensory interventions is an ongoing journey. By paying attention to our senses and addressing our unique sensory needs, we can improve our overall well-being and enhance our daily experiences. Whether it's finding comfort in a cozy corner with soft lighting or engaging in invigorating physical activities, allowing ourselves to explore and engage with sensory interventions can truly make a difference in our lives.

Working with Grieving and Traumatized Children and Adolescents: Discovering What Matters Most Through Evidence-Based, Sensory Interventions

by William Steele (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5495 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	273 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Praise for Working With Grieving and Traumatized Children and Adolescents

"This much-needed book effectively argues for the use of structured activities as the basis for exploring trauma-specific questions in clinical work with traumatized children and adolescents. Numerous examples of children's artwork enhance the book and illustrate the effectiveness of the treatment. The authors' methods have been used successfully for many years and represent a major contribution to the study of trauma that will be welcomed by both students and seasoned practitioners."
—Nancy Boyd Webb, DSW, LICSW, RPT-S Professor of Social Work Emerita, Fordham University, Author: Play Therapy With Children in Crisis

"The authors provide a clear theoretical framework and demonstrate practical sensory-based activities so kids can discover and reconnect with their bodies' agency and vitality. Refreshingly, this vehicle creates an emotionally safe journey for the child into the mystery of the experiential, embedded in implicit memory. It's chock-full of invitations to explore self-impressions and worldviews in a way that children feel seen, not assessed."
—Peter A. Levine, PhD, and Maggie Kline, MS, LMFT, Coauthors: Trauma Through a Child's Eyes and Trauma-Proofing Your Kids

A structured, sequential, and evidence-based approach for the treatment of children and adolescents experiencing trauma or grief

Working With Grieving and Traumatized Children and Adolescents features the Structured Sensory Interventions for Traumatized Children, Adolescents and Parents (SITCAP) intervention model, proven in successfully addressing violent situations such as murder, domestic violence, and physical abuse, as well as non-violent grief- and trauma-inducing situations including divorce, critical injuries, car fatalities, terminal illness, and environmental disasters.

Filled with practical and proven activities for use with children and adolescents experiencing trauma and grief, this resource is based on the authors' experience working with all types of traumatic events in school-, agency-, and community-based programs across the country.