Inclusion in the Montessori Environment by https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorders (by Angela Flores) en-us 2021-08-06 23:41:39 UTC 2023-02-14 23:47:51 UTC hello@padlet.com Book: Montessori Strategies for Children with Learning Differences floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679639772 by Joyce S. Pickering with Sylvia O. Richardson]]> 2021-08-15 23:17:13 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679639772 Article: Montessori Practical Life Activities for Sensory Processing Disorder floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679641188 This is a four part series highlighting Sensory Processing Disorder ...
Montessori Education for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder
https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2010/04/montessori-education-sensory-processing.html
Observing Sensory Processing Disorder in the Montessori Classroom
https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2010/05/montessori-education-sensory-processing.html
Montessori Sensorial Activities and Materials for Sensory Processing Disorder
https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2010/05/montessori-education-sensorial.html
Montessori Practical Life Activities for Sensory Processing Disorder
https://montessoritraining.blogspot.com/2010/05/montessori-education-practical-life.html]]> 2021-08-15 23:20:32 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679641188 Types of ADHD floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679655455 ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that interferes with a person's capacity to complete tasks and regulate activity. Inhibition control - the ability to filter out extraneous information - can also be impaired. Because the minds of children with ADHD are bombarded with sensory input that they are unable to inhibit, they absorb it all.

There are 3 types of ADHD ...

INATTENTIVE
  • normal or above average intellectual ability
  • can sit still
  • erratic attention, focus, concentration
  • difficulty finishing a task
  • easily distracted
  • tendency to lose things
  • daydreams
  • hops from task to task
  • disorganized
  • trouble following instructions
  • forgetful

HYPERACTIVE / IMPULSIVE
  • normal or above average intellectual ability
  • hard to be still
  • noticeable from birth
  • fidgets
  • may interrupt others frequently or speak at inappropriate times
  • hard to wait their turn

COMBINED
  • experience traits of both inattentive and hyperactive ADHD

(Montessori Strategies for Children with Learning Differences)
]]> 2021-08-15 23:46:43 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679655455 How to Meet the Needs of Children with ADHD in a Montessori Environment floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679679545 Limiting Choices
Children with ADHD may be overwhelmed with the number of choices available in a Montessori environment.  They may have difficulty choosing work and working productively. A guide may help with this by limiting choices to one area or even just one shelf at a time to help the child focus.
Developing attention
To help children with ADHD develop their attention, guides should model a still posture, talk slowly, maintain eye contact, and at times gently touch the child's shoulder. During the lesson, the guide may say the child's name or say "look" to improve focus.
Checking in
A child with ADHD may benefit from showing the guide their completed work before restoring it to the shelf. The teacher can remind the child how to restore their work if necessary, then ask what the child would like to work on next. 

The goal in offering these supports is to help the child to make choices, focus on work, complete a work, and restore the work to its place. As the child develops in these areas, the guide offers less support until the child is able to complete a work cycle independently. 

(Montessori Strategies for Children with Learning Differences)

]]> 2021-08-16 00:26:19 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679679545 The Silence Game floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679687798 During the Silence game, children practice inhibition of movement and sound. This requires a great degree of self-control for the young child. Because children with ADHD have difficultly with inhibition control, this is a great exercise to help them to improve focus and develop that control. 
The Silence game also helps the children to develop body control and awareness, to develop auditory skills, and to develop attention. 

(Montessori Strategies for Children with Learning Differences)]]> 2021-08-16 00:37:42 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679687798 On my role as a model for my students ... floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679695839 It is important that I notice and reflect on the way that I speak, react, and move around the classroom because my demeanor sets the tone for the classroom. 
If I am to help children with ADHD develop focus, attentiveness, calm, etc; I must model these attributes.
My voice should be calm and my words intentional. 
I should get at the child's level and make eye contact as I speak to them. 
I must move about the classroom gracefully.
When children have outbursts or exhibit inappropriate behavior, I have to remain calm when speaking with them and ensure that I am treating them with dignity and respect.
I must closely and purposefully observe children exhibiting signs of ADHD and modify my interactions with them to meet their needs in necessary areas as they develop the independence.

]]> 2021-08-16 00:48:51 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679695839 On the importance of observation ... floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679704705 The first step in helping a child with ADHD or a Sensory Processing Disorder is observation - to  to identify symptoms of ADHD or to pinpoint the sense that they are either avoiding or seeking. I can then plan and offer supports and sensorial experiences within the classroom to meet their needs. 

I find it interesting that children with Sensory Processing Disorders are often suspected of having ADHD. 

Both children seeking sensory experiences and children with ADHD may have difficulty sitting still and may engage in rough play. However, children with a Sensory seeking disorder will often calm or focus when given sensorial input. 
Sensory Processing Disorder is a condition in which a child has difficulty receiving and responding to sensorial input. 

Because many of the symptoms to both ADHD and Sensorial Processing Disorder are similar or overlap, it is essential to observe the child to determine which, if any, of these disorder the child may be experiencing. 


]]> 2021-08-16 00:59:36 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679704705 Types of Sensory Processing Disorders floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679726008 Sensory Modulation Disorder
"difficulty regulating responses to stimuli"
  • Sensory Over-responsive: very sensitive to sensory stimuli, exhibits sensory defensiveness, avoids sensory sensations
  • Sensory Under-responsive: takes a lot of stimuli to get a response, difficulty regulating force of movements, difficultly with body awareness, high pain tolerance
  • Sensory Craving: seeks sensory stimulation - touching, mouthing, moving, crashing, jumping

Sensory Discrimination Disorder
"difficulty interpreting specific qualities of sensation"
Can affect one or multiple senses

Sensory-based Motor Disorder
  • Postural Disorder: decreased muscle strength, balance, control, and posture
  • Dyspraxia: "Child knows purpose of task but cannot organize motor actions"


]]> 2021-08-16 01:22:41 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679726008 Article: The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679726662 https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/sensory-processing-disorder?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social]]> 2021-08-16 01:23:26 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679726662 Sensory Diets floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679754171 A sensory diet is an action plan with activities to target the specific sensorial system affected. These activities give children the sensorial experience that they are seeking. These are often created by Occupational Therapists. Montessori guides should work with therapists be advised on implementation of these plans in the classroom.

This article offers many suggestions to support each sensory system. https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/sensory-diets ]]> 2021-08-16 01:51:29 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679754171 Quote on Sensory Modulation Disorder: Over-responsivity floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679757336 "Imagine the sound of nails running down a chalkboard. You know that feeling you get in your spine? Goosebumps. Maybe your shoulders elevate and you can’t tolerate it for more than a second before you get up and walk away. That’s a good representation of how individuals feel with SPD and sensory processing challenges. That’s why we say empathize!"

(The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Diets)

~ I got the chills just reading about nails on the chalkboard. This analogy really helps me to understand what children with this disorder may be feeling and/or sensing.

]]> 2021-08-16 01:54:38 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679757336 Article: The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Diets floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679759383 https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/sensory-diets]]> 2021-08-16 01:56:34 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679759383 Continued Research floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679762839 Many of these resources refer to the book "The Out-of-Sync Child" by Carol Kranowitz. This book explains the challenges of living with Sensory Processing Disorder and offers non-medical ideas for treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder. 
I plan to order this book for further research. After reading this book, I would like to create observation forms to be used to intentionally observe for Sensory Processing Disorder and track reactions to adaptions and interventions.]]> 2021-08-16 01:59:57 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679762839 Montessori Sensorial Materials floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679775775 Both children with Sensorial Processing Disorders and children with ADHD benefit from routines and order. 
The Sensorial lessons each follow a very precise and specific routine or procedure. They are carefully ordered on the shelves and beautifully displayed.
Because each of the Sensorial materials isolates one specific sense at a time, a child will not be overwhelmed when completing these lessons. As the children work through these materials, their senses become more and more refined. 

(Montessori Sensorial Activities and Material for Sensory Processing Disorder)]]> 2021-08-16 02:11:52 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679775775 Practical Life Suggestions for Sensory Processing Disorder - Propioceptive Sense floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679785613 The Proprioceptive Sense have difficulty with muscle and joint processing. They struggle to know their "position in space". The following Practical Life activities may help these children to increase attention and refine this sense. 

Proprioceptive Processing tasks
  • transferring buckets of water
  • transferring jars of sand
  • filling a wheelbarrow with mulch
  • moving furniture
  • scrubbing
  • pounding / hammering
  • wall push-ups
  • rock wall climbing
  • jump rope

(Montessori Practical Life Activities for Sensory Processing Disorder)
]]> 2021-08-16 02:20:48 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679785613 Quote on the Montessori Environment and Children with ADHD floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679804084 "A Montessori classroom, combined with the needed supports, can provide these challenging children a less restrictive educational environment where they can learn through movement and where they have the freedom to develop self-regulation skills so they can optimize their own working and intrinsic love of learning."

(Helping Children with Attentional Challenges)]]> 2021-08-16 02:38:47 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679804084 Article: Helping Children with Attentional Challenges floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679805510 https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1144538.pdf]]> 2021-08-16 02:40:21 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679805510 Quote on Attention floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679852319 "The way of attracting attention is the great preoccupation of all those who educate because one does not receive anything within, if one does not fix the attention upon something. There are means of attracting attention and means of holding it. These are two different things. To attract attention, some stimulus is necessary; to hold it, on the other hand, an intellectual stimulus is necessary, something (on which) the intelligence may work."

(The California Lectures of Maria Montessori)

~ In traditional school, attention is attracted by the teacher and attempted to be held by offering rewards or punishment for sitting still and quiet.
In a Montessori environment, the materials themselves attract the attention of the child. After the guide, shows the child how to use the material, the child's attention becomes fixed on the use of the material. In essence, the material itself attracts and hold the child's attention because the intelligence is at work as the child manipulates the material. This attraction draws the children with ADHD and hold them there. Gradually they are able to hold this attention for longer and longer periods of time. ]]> 2021-08-16 03:24:12 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679852319 Book: The California Lectures of Maria Montessori floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679853650 2021-08-16 03:25:17 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679853650 ADHD vs Sensory Processing Disorder floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679886385 11% of children ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD
5-16% of children show signs of a Sensory Processing Disorder
40% of children with ADHD have a Sensory Processing Disorder as well.

~ This year I will have 36 students. Based on these statistics, 4 of my students would have ADHD and 2-6 of them would have a Sensory Processing Disorder.

Common behaviors of both ADHD & Sensory Processing Disorder
  • impulsiveness
  • touching of others
  • frequent movement
  • distracted
  • difficulty following multi-step directions

ADHD
  • impulse behavior regardless of sensorial input
  • craves novelty and activity, not related to specific sensory input
  • attention held when presented with constant novelty
  • does not become more calm or organized with intense sensory input
  • takes turns or waits for cognitive input rather than sensory

Sensory Processing Disorder
  • becomes disregulated when provided sensorial novelty
  • sensory disregulation often occurs at certain time of day or during certain activities
  • attention held when provided sensory inputs
  • behaviors are not resolved with ADHD medication

(Is it Sensory Processing Disorder or ADHD?)

]]> 2021-08-16 03:54:33 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679886385 Article: Is it Sensory Processing Disorder or ADHD? floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679890292 https://sensoryhealth.org/node/1114]]> 2021-08-16 03:57:35 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1679890292 Quote on Inclusion in the Classroom floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681072805 "Children want to learn from other children. If we support children working together, all children benefit. The child that needs help is the obvious benefactor, but let’s not forget that working with someone helps to solidify your knowledge and provides social and emotional growth opportunities."

(Foundations for Montessori Inclusion)

~ Inclusion benefits everyone in the classroom. I had a student suspected of having ADHD transfer to my classroom from another classroom. He was 6 when he came into our room mid-year. When he did have behavioral issues, the other students were quick to forgive. One told him "I don't like when you ..., but I know you're a really nice boy and I really want to be your friend." They included him in games at recess and when he looked upset would go over and ask him to join them in a work. Eventually his outbursts stopped. I don't think that he had ADHD, I think his need at that time was acceptance. In his previous classroom, he was labeled as "the naughty kid" and was frequently sent to the office. The students in my room instinctively recognized this, maybe even subconsciously and gave him the support he needed at the time.


]]> 2021-08-16 22:10:04 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681072805 Article: Foundations for Montessori Inclusion floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681073055 https://www.montessoripublic.org/2019/10/foundations-for-montessori-inclusion/]]> 2021-08-16 22:10:30 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681073055 Inclusion in the Montessori Classroom floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681153855
  • Move from integration to inclusion: Integration welcomes atypical developing children. Inclusion prepares the environment to meet everyone's needs.
  • Specialists must work together: This includes therapists, pediatricians, guides, and parents. 
  • Assessment requires a deep understanding of development: Our observations as guides should be supplemented with knowledge & observations by specialists. 
  • Montessori materials are versatile developmental tools: Our presentation can be adapted to meet the needs of atypical developing children.
  • Early intervention is key: When you notice something atypical, observe. Try individualized interventions. If they are not successful, meet with parents and bring in appropriate specialists.
  • Schools must plan for classroom makeup: Ideally, there should be less than 25% of atypically developing children in a classroom.
  • Children want to learn from other children: Peer to peer learning solidifies knowledge and provides opportunities for social and emotional growth. 

    • (Foundations for Montessori Inclusion)
    ]]>     2021-08-17 00:02:19 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681153855     Article: Sensory Processing Disorder & its Natural Fix floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681159532 https://childhoodbynature.com/sensory-processing-disorder-its-natural-fix/]]> 2021-08-17 00:08:19 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681159532 Nature as a treatment option floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681163866 Some experts state that some kids experience Sensory Processing Disorders because they don't move around like kids used to, especially outdoors.  “I view nature as the ultimate sensory experience for all children and a necessary form of prevention for sensory dysfunction.” (Angela Hanscom, a pediatric OT) 
    Children should have the opportunity to play in puddles, climb, walk barefoot, and build forts outdoors. "The outdoors naturally challenges a child senses with the many sounds, smells, textures, temperatures, and colors it offers."

    (Sensory Processing Disorder & its Natural Fix)]]>     2021-08-17 00:12:24 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681163866     On bringing nature into the classroom ... floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681181556 Many children do not spend much time in nature. This summer, I taught summer school. Each Friday, we went to a different nature area to hike, explore, picnic, and play. This was the highlight of the kids' week! We were able to do this because we had small class sizes. I have been brainstorming ways to bring nature into our classroom this coming school year. Here are some ideas I came up with so far ...
    • planting
    • create a mini rock garden
    • flower dissecting 
    • rock scrubbing
    • nature journaling
    • flower pressing
    • seed sorting
    • chairs under the windows so students can observe the outdoors (our windows are at adult height)
    • sorting seashells
    • We already have many plants, a tortoise, aquarium with freshwater fish, and an aquarium full of snails.
    ]]>     2021-08-17 00:25:57 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681181556     On the Silence Game variations ... floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681189009 Because the Silence game helps children develop focus, I looked up variations of the Silence game and plan to offer it more frequently. 
    • close eyes and open when they hear their name
    • listen to what we hear in the silence and share at the end of the game
    • create an individualized silence mat where children can practice making silence on their own
    • make silence with a stethoscope and listen to our heart


    ]]>     2021-08-17 00:31:42 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681189009     On the Sensorial materials ... floreshove https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681194846 This project really gave me a great appreciation for the Sensorial materials. These materials are not regularly on the shelf in Lower Elementary. It is imperative that child spend as much time as possible manipulating these materials and experimenting with extensions. These materials were developed to heighten the development of children's senses. Because each material isolates one sense at a time, children are really able to refine and develop each of their senses. ]]> 2021-08-17 00:36:06 UTC https://padlet.com/floreshove/583svyneuhbzlwux/wish/1681194846