Calming Spaces
Sensory rooms have been added throughout the district as well. The OTs offered up their small OT room as a solution to increased behavior/sensory based needs in the MI units. Erin (our new OTA) and OT Tanya have helped to create a sensory space that some of the kiddos can use for breaks….including getting a platform swing put in (that a trapeze bar can also be connected to) along with other sensory based supports (such as dynamic seating options, foam rollers, tactile exploration bins, and fidgets). Erin was kind enough to move her OT area to the stage (which is not ideal); but we can work with it. Erin is also in the midst of creating a “sensory walk” to be placed in the hallway in front of our MI classrooms. In the high school and middle school, OTA Tina has been the “fix it guru” and is always coming up with ways to adapt everyday items for the team to use with the kiddos. She helps make recommendations for the life skill area and school store as well located at the High School. She has also consulted with the teams at both the middle school and high school for their sensory/calming areas.
CSU Occupational Therapy Program visited with an NCTA Occupational Therapist recently to complete a pediatric case study assignment for their Occupation and Participation in Children and Youth course. They visited with a student at Olmsted Falls Intermediate School and learned about OT’s role in the school setting. NCTA has recently established a partnership with CSU and is looking forward to hosting a Level I OT student this Fall.
Fine Motor Intervention Kits
OTs Kelly and Tanya wrote and received grant money through the Strongsville Education Foundation a few years ago to create Fine Motor Intervention Kits for all of our kindergarten classrooms in district. The supplies are replenished and redistributed each year. The kits include a variety of fine motor-based activities that can be used in the classrooms as part of stations or small intervention groups. Kits include: playdoh, mini chalkboards/chalk, HWT resource book, mini pencils/dry erase markers, self-opening scissors, tennis ball guys, tongs/pom poms, hole punchers, fine motor handouts, etc). Teachers have been very appreciative of this type of support.and redistribute these each year. The kits include a variety of fine motor-based activities that can be used in the classrooms as part of stations or small intervention groups. Kits include: playdoh, mini chalkboards/chalk, HWT resource book, mini pencils/dry erase markers, self-opening scissors, tennis ball guys, tongs/pom poms, hole punchers, fine motor handouts, etc). Teachers have been very appreciative of this type of support.
