Using Sensory Stories

Sensory,

Like Social Stories, sensory stories are short descriptions of a situation which include specific information about what to expect in that situation and strategies on how to handle the situation.

A sensory story is a method to allow children with sensory modulation issues – sensory integration disorder, sensory integration dysfunction – to cope with everyday experiences. They are in a format that allows children with autism to employ calming strategies throughout the course of specific daily activities like combing hair, going to the dentist and many common school or social activities. These stories are designed to help children navigate daily activities by providing structured, multisensory narratives that prepare them for various situations. When read on a regular basis, Sensory Stories enable children to engage in life.

Our Sensory Stories can help in many different situations including:

  • Home – to help develop self-care skills (bathing, dressing, showering, bedtime, meal time)
  • School – social skills and academic skills (assemblies, cafeteria, circle time, desk time, recess, moving in the school, PE class)
  • Community – to help understand how others might behave in a particular situation (going to restaurant, store, parties, getting a haircut)

To create more stories get our Sensory Stories CD.

Here’s an example story below.

Eating Lunch in the Cafeteria

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Working Memory: An Overview and Implications

Events & Conferences, Games, Motor & Movement,

Diane Long, Ed.D, MOTR/L, presented our latest Therapro Saturday Seminar, Working Memory: An Overview and Implications, on November 8, 2014. In addition to her role as Chair of Occupational Therapy and associate professor at Ithaca College, she developed the Therapro publication, TRUNKS®: The Game of Motor-Memory.

Diane met her objectives for the seminar by:

  1. Reviewing a number of theories about the developmental aspects of working memory;
  2. Discussing how working memory contributes to learning, socializing, and task completion; and
  3. Identifying strategies for improving working memory.
Cover of the game trunks, presented at the Saturday Seminar Working Memory: An Overview and Implications

Her engaging presentation style made reviewing neuro function interesting and applicable. She pointed out that with working memory we form a “mental snapshot” of a task in the prefontal cortex. She noted that working memory is a slowly developing system that does not mature until we are in our 20’s. Its job is to assist in keeping information organized without having to rely on external cues. An important key for us to remember when a child is working on a memory task is to minimize distractions for them, including not talking to them as they work.

Some researchers have found that using games can increase attention and motivation, which can improve visual memory. Diane has proposed that non-computer games (like TRUNKS) will improve working memory skills. She concluded her seminar by actually playing TRUNKS with the audience…”Elephants always remember.”

Seminar attendees had many positive comments about this seminar:

“Material was presented in a fun and interactive way with extreme relevance to therapeutic practice with children.” Molly F.

“Terrific and clear overview of working memory and the impact on learning. The working memory activities helped to apply the concepts.” Denise L.

“Informative but also interspersed with activities to keep up interest and also enhance theories.” Anonymous.

“Interesting topic, well presented, interactive and relevant to my job.” Neha S.

Thank you, Diane!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L

15th Annual Therapies in the School Conference: Highlights

Events & Conferences

Therapists from across the country attended the 15th annual Therapies in the School Conference on November 20–21 in Framingham, MA, sponsored by Education Resources, Inc. This widely respected professional development event continues to bring together school-based occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and special educators committed to improving student outcomes. The conference featured a distinguished faculty who presented workshops on hot topics, including integrating visual and motor strategies that promote learning, addressing therapy delivery within time constraints, and developing executive function skills to boost student productivity and independence.

Therapro was proud to exhibit at the conference, connecting with school-based professionals and sharing tools designed to support evidence-based practice. Many therapists stopped by the Therapro booth to explore new product offerings, revisit favorite tools, or simply exchange ideas. These meaningful conversations reinforce our mission to provide practical, therapist-recommended resources that enhance school-based therapy.

Here are just a few Therapro favorites that were popular with attendees:

15th Annual Therapies in the School Conference: Games

15th Annual Therapies in the School Conference Favorites: Books

cover of the book Smart but ScatteredFront cover of Smart but Scattered Teens book on executive functioning for adolescents, a popular resource at the Therapies in the School Conference

Attendees left this conference with a wealth of information that will be directly applicable to their practice in the schools. Congratulations on celebrating 15 outstanding years of Therapies in the School!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L