SPE 222 Podcast Analysis by Afareen Amlani

Podcast

anamlani — 2025-04-10 20:51:29 UTC

The podcast I listened to was the Special Education Inner Circle Podcast - Episode 195: Creative Strategies for Sensory Supports. It is hosted by Catherine Whitcher and her guest speakers were the founders and inventors of Calm Strips, Michael Malkin and Luce Fuller.

About the podcast

anamlani — 2025-04-11 19:00:03 UTC

The podcast episode discussed the need for sensory tools and support for students in special education and Michael and Luce talked about their product called Calm Strips. These are small sticker strips that feature encouraging words and calming symbols, designs, and images and have a certain texture that is anxiety-reducing. These strips can be put anywhere as a hidden sensory tool. Throughout the episode, Catherine and her guests drew upon the idea that these types of sensory supports can be useful for anyone and everyone, even though they were developed for special education students first. Sometimes people, especially kids, just need a reminder to slow down and breathe, as well as a quick way to calm anxiety, which Calm Strips can provide.

Evidence, Examples, and Credibility

anamlani — 2025-04-11 19:06:45 UTC

When Catherine brought up the point that life is very fast-paced and that people forget to breathe and meditate from time to time, she gave the example of her watch, which would remind her to deep breathe. She would often get annoyed at this and eventually turned it off, but later she realized how much she needed that reminder because she would forget to take breaks in her everyday life. She made this connection to show that even she forgets to take breaks, so it must be even harder for someone who is more likely to get overwhelmed and needs these reminders more often. The guest speakers, Michael and Luce, also have a lot of experience as parents of students with ADHD, special needs, and IEPs. These experiences are what led them to create this product and realize that the need for this type of tool may be more widespread than just their children. So they collaborated and created this product and business, Calm Strips.

How this content relates to issues in Special Education and new strategies mentioned for Special Education Settings

anamlani — 2025-04-11 19:37:04 UTC

Students in special education often need sensory tools, such as fidgets, in their everyday lives. Most people have heard of fidget spinners, fidget cubes, and other toys that students can use to calm anxiety or help them focus in class. This podcast talks about a new and creative tool that is discrete and can turn anything into a fidget just by putting the Calm Strip on it.

How can the content of this podcast be applied to Special Education

anamlani — 2025-04-11 19:43:50 UTC

This podcast highlights an important aspect of special education, which is the tools used within special education. I think that there is no set formula of tools or methods to use in this area because everything is so personalized. For example, IEPs are customized education plans, so it is confusing to know what will work for most students. It's good to know that sensory supports such as Calm Strips and other fidget tools can be beneficial to most students, especially if they are in a Special Education Program.

My understanding, connections, and questions I have

anamlani — 2025-04-11 19:52:24 UTC

I enjoyed this podcast and I like that it highlighted the importance of something so seemingly simple - sensory tools. I think in today's world, everyone is so much more aware of mental health, and students who may have different needs. I have met a lot of students whom I tutor, who bring in toys and textured items to keep with them while they work. Last year, I also bought a fidget cube which I keep with me all the time because it just helps with anxiety or when you can't focus. These kinds of tools are so important to have in every classroom. One question that I have is what should one do if students misuse these tools? I feel like it wouldn't be right to take it away if it helps them, but it also isn't helping if it's causing a distraction.