01270 766660
Request Call Back

Top Contact form

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Rhino Sensory

Search

Tag: sensory integration

Occupational Therapy (OT) Week 2022

Posted on 2 November 2022 by jess

It’s November – which means it’s time to celebrate Occupational Therapy Week!

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists created OT Week to bring awareness to OTs and all of the fantastic work they do. This year it runs from the 7th to the 13th of November.

It may only officially be a week, but we’re planning on celebrating the magic, wonder and support OTs provide for a whole month.

Girl on Platform Swing

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is a holistic, science-based type of physical and mental therapy that aims to help people live their best lives.

Through strengthening, balancing, calming, talking, learning, moving and thinking, occupational therapists give clients confidence in themselves and their bodies – boosting wellbeing and helping them on their path to independence.

Boy on Platform Swing

What is Occupational Therapy Week?

Occupational Therapy Week was created by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists to bring awareness to occupational therapists and all of the amazing work they do.

It’s an important time to celebrate, too, as the current political, social and economic climate has created an increased need for occupational therapy services.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, there has been an:

  • 85% increase in the number of people seeking children’s services
  • 82% increase in demand for OT lead rehabilitation services
  • 55% of children and young people do not meet the recommended targets for physical activity
  • 7 million people in the UK are chronically lonely, 1 million more than pre-pandemic.

To try and turn the tide on these depressing figures, this year’s OT Week Celebrations are about ‘Lifting Up Your Everyday’ – and how little things can make huge differences to your health and wellbeing in the long term.

Sensory Integration Room

Rhino UK & Occupational Therapy

We’re proud to work alongside Occupational Therapists to help them deliver top-quality therapeutic services.

Whether we’re supplying portable resources for on-the-road therapists, designing and building state-of-the-art Sensory Integration Rooms for practical OT sessions, or advising therapists about which occupational therapy resources would best support their clients’ therapeutic needs.

We know that actions speak louder than words, so check out our video case study at More Rehab.

 

More Rehab is an occupational therapy centre that supports the south Yorkshire area with therapy, rehabilitation and physiotherapy services. We collaborated with their OTs to create an inclusive sensory integration space to be used by clients of all ages to develop their motor, balance and confidence skills.

Find out more:

Sensory Circuits, What They Are, And How You Can Make Your Own

Posted on 23 September 2021 by jess


What is a Sensory Circuit?

A sensory circuit is an active and engaging circuit exercise designed to stimulate students’ bodies and minds so that they’re ready for a productive day at school.

Designed by Paediatric Occupational Therapist Jane Horwood in 2009, the concept has slowly gained traction as more and more educators have seen its benefits. As a result, sensory Circuits are now a key part of many school days.

 

Who are Sensory Circuits for?

Sensory circuits are great for children with sensory processing disorders, ADHD, and autism – as it gives them the stimulation they’re seeking and helps regulate their sensory system, so it’s ready to focus.

Although sensory circuits are also fantastic for the wider school community, starting the day off with something fun and engaging gets them ready to learn more effectively throughout the day.

 

How to make a Sensory Circuit

Every sensory circuit should be split into three sections, Alerting, Organising & Calming. Each section has its own activities and purposes, so by the time students have reached the calming stage, they’re ready to learn.

Alerting

The first stage of the sensory circuit should always be the alerting stage. This section aims to help students release any pent-up anxiety and energy so they’re in a better position to settle into a classroom environment.

Alerting activities are designed to stimulate proprioceptive, vestibular (balance) and motor skills by getting the body active.

Alerting Activity Examples:

Organising

After alerting, you should move on to organising – where students are challenged to channel their energy into an activity that requires skill and focus.

Organising activities should stimulate students motor, vestibular, sensory and timing skills so they feel more connected to their body and how it moves.

Organising Activity Examples

Calming

The final calming section is designed to re-capture students energy and help them feel more centred in themselves, so they’re ready to learn.

Calming activities should stimulate students proprioceptive, deep pressure and tactile senses.

Calming Activity Examples

 

How long should a Sensory Circuit take?

A sensory circuit should typically last for 15 minutes – with five minutes in each section. It’s just the right amount of time for students to feel focused without getting tired. It also maintains the circuit’s element of fun, any longer, and students might start to see the activity as a chore.

Of course, how long a circuit is up to you. You might find that your students need less time to complete it or that they need to spend more time in one section and less in another.

It’s your responsibility to know your student’s needs and abilities and tailor a sensory circuit that meets them.

 

When should Sensory Circuits be used?

It’s recommended that you start the day with a sensory circuit – before bums are on seats. It’s a great way of capturing students’ nervous energy and productively channelling it into focused energy so they’re ready for an exciting day of learning.

Although sensory circuits aren’t only reserved for mornings! They can be used whenever students feel restless or unfocused, whether that’s after lunch, to refocus minds after an energetic hour on the playground, or between lessons for a physical, mental, and sensory break from the classroom.

 

Discover More

If you’d like any help setting up your sensory circuit, then make sure you get in touch with a member of our sensory team. They’ll be more than happy to offer their expert advice, product recommendations, and sensory know-how so that you can create a sensory circuit that works for you and your school community.

Creating A Sensory Integration Room

Posted on 13 November 2020 by jess

 

With Sensory Integration becoming a popular topic of conversation, we thought that we’d create a handy blog post to talk you through everything you need to know about Sensory Integration: what it is, what it means, and the process of designing/creating a Sensory Integration room – working through our recent case study at More Rehab!

Continue reading “Creating A Sensory Integration Room”