25/04/2018
Sense-Able home ACTIVITIES
Multi-sensory story telling.
Using short stories and simple short sentences that are repeated, together with various multi-sensory experiences, a story is brought to life in a way that is meaningful, even if the language is not understood.
Making sense stories.
These stories are uniquely written for specific individuals and incorporates their sensory preferences, communication style, what engages them, gets their attention and what initiates a positive response. It involves anything that makes sense to that person even if it makes no sense to us. However, time taken to get to know the individual and help from those who do will be needed first.
Intensive interaction
This approach developed by Dave Hewett, helps people with learning difficulties and their communication partners to relate better to each other and enjoy each other's company more. It also helps them develop their communication abilities. In Intensive interaction, we work on being a better communication partner and so supports the person with learning disabilities develop confidence and competence as a communicator.
Interaction Bucket
This is a variation on The Bucket to Focus Attention (Attention Autism) by Gina Davies com-bined with intensive interaction. A bucket is filled with visually engaging sensory objects and/or musical instruments, which the individual enjoys exploring. The session leader taps out a rhythm on the bucket whilst singing ‘I’ve got something in the bucket’ The session leader then takes off the lid and shows each item to the individual giving the person time to explore and enjoy each object whilst describing what they are doing using simple repetitive and positive vocabulary. The bucket will have two of the same item so that the session lead-er can also use the object to mirror the individual’s explorations whilst commentating on what is happening and how much he/she is enjoying their time together. Eventually the indi-vidual may tap on the bucket with you, open the lid and take out items in order of prefer-ence. They may also swap items with the session leader and other interaction whilst sharing an enjoyed experience.
Tac Pac
This is a sensory communication aid using touch and music. It helps people with sensory impairment, developmental delay, complex learning difficulties, tactile defensiveness, and limited or pre-verbal levels of communication. It combines the sense of touch with objects and hands and music through social interaction. The session is structured and should take place in a safe environment, clear of other sensory interferences and is delivered via an interaction between 2 people – a giver and a receiver.
Movement/ Music/ singing/ signing whilst using sensory objects and other props.
This is a communication through music and singing session. Sign along is used whilst signing and individuals are encouraged to interact, using props such as hats and fabrics. This session is accompanied with the guitar and backing tracks whilst also encouraging the individual to play and explore musical percussion instruments. For a more active session movement and dance can also be introduced.
Relaxation
For this I use a holistic approach which focuses on breathing and practises simple massage techniques from a touch therapy programme based in Cardiff. These are aura glide techniques which may then develop into light massage. Sensory lights and other massage equipment are also used to enable the individual a calming and tranquil experience. It has been proved that positive touch through activities such as intensive interaction and massage improves alertness, eye contact, willingness to communicate, contentment, calmness and relaxation.
