Back to school routine for children with dysregulation

 Returning to the school routine after summer vacation and holidays can be both exciting and stressful. Especially for children with dysregulation who face high sensory sensitivity, who may experience a flood of stimuli, confusion, and anxiety. For children with sensory hypersensitivity prolonged sitting in class can be difficult for their body and mind looking for movement and activity. Here are some ideas that can help ease the way back to the routine.

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Before school

 

Prepare the clothes the night before to avoid having to make decisions immediately upon getting up. Plan to have a few minutes before a nutritious breakfast and before leaving the house for relaxing activities such as jumping on a trampoline, give the child a few minutes of massage pressing on the shoulders and along the arms, or a number of stretching exercises with rubber bands. It is also possible to give at breakfast a thick drink to drink with a straw. All of these can help with sensory regulation.

 

Download and pick up from school

 

Make a plan in advance with the child - if the child needs time to play in the yard to expend energy before the lesson begins, it is advisable to bring him in early enough. If the child is anxious and excited it is possible that the commotion of the schoolyard, with a lot of noise and movement of children, will stress him and then it is advisable to lower him as close as possible to the bell so that he enters the classroom and class starts.

 

The end of the day at school is also for a chaotic rabbi. At the sound of the bell, crowds of children drain into the yard and toward the exit gate at once. The hustle and bustle can be confusing and paralyzing so you should set a regular meeting point where you can easily find them and remember to arrive on time.

 

Break/food break

 

An important and significant break time especially for children who need movement and intense activity that helps with sensory regulation in case of hypersensitivity. Encourage them to go out and do a lot of physical activity and maybe even equip them with inexpensive sports equipment like rubber bands, a ball, chalk and draw a track. You can even plan with them where in the yard they went with the equipment, and help them choose a comfortable and versatile place.

 

Send with them crunchy foods like toast, apple, or grapes that require stronger chewing and thus provide deep stimulation.

 

Services

 

Going to the bathroom at school can be an unpleasant experience. The body emits sounds and smells that can be embarrassing and unpleasant. While everyone has physical functions, children with sensory difficulties will not be able to tolerate public services. Some children will hold back all day and wait until they get home. Others will wait until the class starts and ask to go to the bathroom during the class, knowing then they will have more privacy. In such cases, it is advisable to talk to the teacher in advance and explain the situation. Resisting all day makes it difficult to be free to learn and perform tasks, and increases anxiety that there may be an accident if they fail to resist. In any case, you should always put a pair of clean underwear and pants in a bag or with the teacher, make sure they come to school with clothes that are easy to take off and pick up and make sure that you do succeed on your own.

 

At the end of the day

 

Talk to the child, hear what his experiences are from that day, help him see where he has succeeded, and try to see how one can change attitudes in places that were more difficult. Many times the children themselves will have ideas of what will help them and it is advisable to hear what their suggestions are. It is important to remember that transitions are difficult for children who have difficulty with sensory-emotional regulation, and as parents remain calm, the message will go to the child that they trust him and his powers to get through the period in peace.