Identifying and Supporting Sensory Difficulties

An increasing number of children struggle to concentrate and remain engaged in busy, stimulating classroom environments. Behaviours such as fidgeting, wriggling, wandering, bumping into others, or constant movement are often seen as disruptive; however, these actions may actually be a child’s way of trying to regulate their sensory system and maintain focus.
This practical and insightful training explores how sensory
processing differences can impact attention, concentration, and behaviour in the classroom. Drawing on the principles of Sensory Integration and the Alert Programme for self-regulation (Williams & Shellenberger, 1996), we will examine whether these behaviours have a sensory basis and how educators and practitioners can respond more effectively.