how would you adapt a sensory activity so a child with a sensory impairment can join in?

Answer 1

With out know which impairment the child has I can only offer a generalization.

Think about the activity and which senses it involves.
What do you want the child to learn?
Can the activity be accomplished using other senses?

Think of it like solving a puzzle and Try imposing the same impairment on yourself and experiment with different ways to achieve what effect you want.

Answer 2

is this hypothetical? I hope so, because otherwise, I am worried for the poor child!!!

Firstly, what is the sensory impairment - there are quite a few, you know. Secondly, what is the sensory activity? If it a touching feeling activity and the child deaf, the activiy wont need much modification will it?

Specify the childs needs and the activity..................it will help quite a bit.

Answer 3

Please be more specific and say in what area the child has a sensory impairment - after all if the child is unable to hear there would be little point in adapting the activity for one who is partially sighted!!

Answer 4

It depends on the activity and the level of resistance from the child. Say you want to fingerpaint with the children, but you know one child who is tactile defensive and hates anything remotely "icky". You may start by having them sit at the same table as the other children who are painting to observe. Getting a child who is defensive to participate in an activity they clearly are wary of will take TIME. This is not something they will be able to overcome in a few minutes (or sometimes, months) of "warming up" time. This may be all you'll get out of them the first try. The next time, have them put on a smock and sit with the other children with paint on a paper in front of them. After that, show them how much fun it is by putting your hands in the paint on their paper and moving it around. The next time, use your painted hands to touch one of theirs. You will probably get a recoil (and perhaps some screaming and trying to wipe it off). You have to be prepared- have wipes or a towel handy. The sooner you can head off a tantrum, the better. This shows the child that it is ok to get messy, and you can still clean it off. The next time, use hand-over-hand, and put their finger into the paint. Then wipe it off as soon as they begin showing stress. The next time, put their whole hand in it, and move it a little. Then wipe it off and talk to them about how they can clean their hands. With children with sensory defensiveness, it is exposure that helps the most. These children really need someone they trust to show them that it is ok to do these things, and that it can be fun. Exposure and repetition is the only way to get them to overcome the fear of the sensation. I have been working with a little girl for about 3 months now on her sensory difficulties. Finally, last week, I was able to paint both her hand and her foot without a major meltdown. This was a major breakthrough for her... she would have severe meltdowns whenever she even saw paint, let alone let it touch her. She and I had built enough trust for her to believe that I wouldn't let anything harm her, and that I would take care of her needs to wash it off immediately after the experience. You need trust and patience. Take it slow, and you will get them there....

Answer 5

before you involve a child in group activity, it's better you put lotion in his whole arms and you can do it in his legs also. you can spend 3 to 5 min in each arm or leg. this can prepare him to other sensation he can get to next activity. then, you can let him join finger painting activity or playing with clay with other children. first, you include only 2 kids.then increase number of kids as time goes by.

Answer 6

you'll need to explain what the sensory deprivation is if you want to get a good answer.