Regulation Explained by an OT
Let's explore regulation Regulation is a term that is used frequently in schools and by therapists. Most frequently it’s linked to being able to self-regulate. Before I started my PhD, I thought I [...]
When sensory needs are internalised: Watch for the quiet ones
Embedding sensory strategies into classroom When I receive referrals for sensory needs, the first thing parents or teachers start to speak about are the behaviours they can see. The child who bites when [...]
Why sensory solutions are not a magical fix all
Sensory solutions at school and home When you start learning about sensory processing and how it impacts children's behaviour and learning, it can feel like you've discovered the missing piece of the puzzle. [...]
Three reasons why your sensory circuits are probably not working
Sensory circuits are not a magic bullet for schools Sensory circuits are often sold as a fix all for all sensory and self-regulation needs. The premise of a sensory circuit is outlined in [...]
Writing framework – A teachers guide
Understanding the writing framework The Department for Education's new Writing Framework provides comprehensive guidance for teaching writing from Reception through Year 6, offering a research-informed approach that aligns with both national curriculum requirements [...]
Reception writing framework implementation in reception classrooms
Using the writing framework in reception In July 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) released the writing framework guidance for England. This document, which will likely be updated when the curriculum review is [...]
Let’s make fine motor activities functional: 40 functional fine motor activities for schools
Fine motor activities - more than meets the eye As I explored in my post, ‘Please put the pegboards and tweezers away!’ functional fine motor skills are the skills we use our hands [...]
Thinking outside of the fine motor skill box – please put the pegboard and tweezers away
Why I hate the typical fine motor skill box activities Hate might be a strong emotion to have about such benign pieces of plastic like pegs and tweezers, however please let me explain. [...]
My child is hitting and biting – could there be an underlying sensory need?
How to stop hitting and biting A question that I am often asked is ‘How do I stop this child from hitting and biting others?’ It is often followed by references to behaviour [...]
The problem with pen licences in school and an easy solution!
What is a pen licence? For those of you who are not familiar with the term ‘pen licence’, pen licences are certificates which give children the permission to write in pen, rather than [...]
What is a sensory circuit and how can I use them at school?
Support attention with sensory circuits Sensory circuits have evolved from sensory diets. The best way to imagine them is to think of a gym circuit, so a number of activities which are set [...]
Reframing classroom behaviours: What the child is communicating?
Behaviour or communication? When I speak about sensory differences, one question that always pops up is whether children's behaviours driven by a sensory need or not. Essentially - is it sensory or behaviour? [...]
Helping children with interoceptive awareness
Teaching interoceptive awareness Interoceptive awareness is the ability to notice the sensory information that the brain receives internally from the body. These messages come from the interoceptive receptors in our body. I explain [...]
What are sensory strategies and how does this differ from sensory processing and sensory integration?
Sensory strategies are a tool In the sensory world, there are lot of different terms and phrases. It can quickly get confusing, even for trained therapists! The terms also change over time. In [...]
Why Touch Pressure Helps with Regulation
A tale of two touch pathways The terms touch pressure or deep touch pressure are used by therapists to refer to firmer touch. Therapressure brushes or surgical brushes are one way to provide [...]
Teaching children scissor skills and cutting – what are the steps?
Scissor skills stages Learning to cut with scissors is more complex than it may initially seem. It requires good postural control, good hand-eye coordination and the ability to use both hands together. In [...]
Letter formation families – the ONLY way to teach handwriting
Making handwriting easier Handwriting is a complex skill, but there are tips which make learning it easier. One of the most helpful things you can do, as a teacher or parent, is to [...]
Pre-writing shapes – what are they and how to teach them?
The importance of pre-writing shapes Pre-writing shapes are the lines and shapes a child needs to be able to draw prior to learning to write letters and words. They are the shapes which [...]
Teaching handwriting to children – what every teacher must know
Handwriting is a complex skill Handwriting is a skill that is taught in every school. There are many approaches to teaching handwriting. Some schools focus on the cursive first approach. Others teach handwriting [...]
How it feels when your child receives diagnosis
Navigating through diagnosis How it feels when your child receives a diagnosis can take you by surprise. It can be a very confusing and overwhelming time. During this time there is no right [...]
Our story – receiving a diagnosis of autism for our daughter
A personal story - Tina and Kelly It was not until her daughter Kelly started school, that Tina noticed there was something quite different about the way she interacted with others. Kelly had [...]
What is sensory overload? And how can I support it?
Sensory overloaded = too much information Sensory overload is a term which describes the experience an individual with sensory differences may have when they receive too much sensory information. The brain is unable [...]
Sensory Diet Tips – Using Them Successfully
Sensory diets to support arousal Sensory diets are a structured list of sensory strategies which can be used throughout the day to help a child or adult support their arousal, attention and focus. [...]
Arousal, Attention and Sensory Processing What’s the Links?
Arousal is all about alertness Arousal at its simplest is how awake or alert or how tired you are. It supports attention and focus. There are a number of things which impact our [...]
Sensory Processing with GriffinOT – A teacher’s story
Lisa's story - Supporting Sensory at School Sensory differences are thought to occur in between 5-16% of the population. This means up to four students in a mainstream classroom may experience sensory differences. [...]
Sensory movement breaks tips for success
A flexible sensory strategy Movement breaks are a frequently suggested sensory tool to help students increase their attention and readiness for learning. Like all sensory strategies, they should be individualised for each student. [...]
Sensory Diet Cards and Movement Breaks – Free!
Free sensory diet cards! Welcome to GriffinOT's sensory diet card and movement break page. Here you can download our cards for free to use at home or school. These cards are designed to [...]
What are Sensory Processing Differences (What is Sensory Processing Disorder – SPD)?
Understanding sensory processing or integration Sensory processing differences describe the experiences children (and adults) have when their brains interpret the sensory messages received from their body and the environment differently to others. They [...]
Sensory Strategies and Supports for the Classroom
Embedding sensory strategies into classroom Occupational therapists often recommend sensory strategies, or sensory supports, to help to support children who experience sensory differences. This includes autistic children. I have already explored what sensory [...]
How to Help Children with Dyspraxia – 8 Support Strategies
Dyspraxia - Let's explore how to help A question Kim is commonly asked is how to help children with dyspraxia. Dyspraxia is a term used to describe the difficulty children and adults have [...]
Sensory stimming explored – what is it and why does it occur?
Ask Kim - Vestibular Stimming I wrote this article following a question from the GriffinOT community. The parent asked: “How can I stop my 9 year old autistic daughter from vestibular stimming?” The [...]
Sensory regulation strategies – what are they and how can they help your child?
Let's explore sensory regulation Sensory regulation, self-regulation and emotional regulation are terms used by therapists when talking about children. These terms relate to the child's ability to increase and decrease their alertness, or [...]
Weighted blankets, benefits, precautions plus when and why to use them
What's the benefit of weighted blankets? Weighted blankets and other products come in all different shapes and sizes. Vests, lap pads, shoulder pads, blankets and animal shapes are all readily available for purchase. [...]
Sensory Chew Toys – advice on choosing the best one for your child
Sensory chew toys - which one to choose? Choosing sensory chew toys for children can be a daunting task. There are so many different ones available! They come in different shapes, different textures, [...]
Homeschooling Sensory Tips for Parents
Supporting each other at home This post has been written for parents who are homeschooling their children. Many of these will be helpful for children who don’t have any diagnosis as they relate [...]
To pencil grip, or not to pencil grip?
Pros and cons of pencil grips For children who have an immature pencil grasp, there are many pencil grips available to help. In this post I will use the term ‘grip’ to refer [...]
Handwriting – what does a ‘good’ pencil grasp look like
Pencil grasp is a complicated affair The way a child holds onto their pencil is often a focus of assessment in the early years. A mature pencil grasp supports pencil skill maturity and [...]
Sensory Integration Theory vs Sensory Processing Disorder What’s the Difference?
A tale of two theories The terms 'Sensory Integration' (SI) and 'Sensory Processing' to refer to the same theory. They are sometimes used interchangeably, however there are subtle differences. This article will help [...]
Autism (ASD) and Sensory Processing Issues – Signs and How to Help
Sensory processing and autism Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or sensory issues describes the experiences children (and adults) have when their brains interpret the sensory messages they receive differently. Their brains might find some [...]
Five essential motor skills for handwriting success
There's more to handwriting than meets the eye Handwriting is an incredibly complex skill. Before children can hold a pencil, they need to be able to sit up and move their arm independently [...]
Cutting Skills – Six Tips for Teaching Children How to Use Scissors
Helping with cutting skills Using scissors successfully to cut is an important functional skill for all children. We know giving children scissors comes is potential hazards, such as an ‘accidental’ self or sibling [...]
Seven ideas to help children with sensory processing needs at Christmas and festive events
Helping children during festive seasons All festive events, including Christmas, Eid, Easter, Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and birthdays, are loaded with additional sensory information. There are new lights, sounds and smells. You go on [...]
Using occupational therapy recommendations in your classroom
Embedding OT supports into your classroom When I first graduated, quite some time ago now, I was frustrated at what I interpreted as a lack of support from educators in following through with [...]
Help! Why is my child chewing on clothing and other things?
Let's explore why kids chew on clothing When a parent or teacher sees their child chewing on clothing or other items it can raise questions. Some children chew on other items like toys, [...]
Oral Sensory Seeking – Why is my Child Still Putting Things in Their Mouth?
Let's explore oral sensory seeking Oral sensory seeking, where a child continues to put things in their mouth after the age of two, is a commonly reported behaviour for children with additional needs. [...]
The Mystery of Heavy Work
The benefits of heavy work Heavy work is a commonly used term, but not everyone knows what it actually refers to! This post aims to give you a better understand of what it [...]
Dyspraxia symptoms – Is my child dyspraxic?
Dyspraxia - Let's explore the signs and symptoms The term 'dyspraxic' originates from the Green ‘dus’, bad or hard, and ‘praxis’, doing. So, the literal translation is hard to do or bad with [...]
What is Dyspraxia? It’s much more than clumsiness!
Dyspraxia Explained - Let's explore some common myths Dyspraxia is a term that describes the sensory processing difficulty children and adults have when they struggle to plan, organise and coordinate their movements. The [...]
Auditory Sensitivity: Signs, Causes, Overload and How to Help
Let's explore noise sensitivity and overload Auditory sensitivity is sometimes also called auditory hypersensitivity or hypersensitivity to sound. Autistic individuals and those that with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) commonly report auditory sensitivity. This sensitivity [...]
Sensory Processing and the Hearing Sense
Hearing is an essential sense! Our hearing sense, or auditory sense, is a sense everyone has typically heard of, pun intended! The sense of hearing responds to noises or sounds in the environment. [...]