Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom that Signal Your Child’s Sensory System Needs Support

Frequently, sensory differences can be mistaken for behavioral problems in the classroom. Not all behavioral problems are due to sensory differences, but more times than not, an out of balance nervous system will visualize as ʻbad behavior’. In an attempt to prevent your child from being labeled as a ‘behavioral kiddo’ (when in fact their nervous system just needs some support), let’s take a look at some common behavioral challenges in the classroom that can improve with the right kind of support in place.

Behavioral challenges in the classroom that are commonly misinterpreted

Overly Physical Behavior (Biting, Pinching, Pushing, Hitting, ect)

These behaviors can arise if your child’s nervous system is stressed or misinterpreting sensory information as a threat. Or, your child’s sensory system is struggling to register sensory information & needs more input to understand where their body is in space & how to gauge their force. Lastly, they could be displaying these behaviors because they are experiencing language challenges.

Trouble with Transitions

Your child could be struggling with this because their nervous system is disorganized due to sensory overload (too much sensory input), or they are having trouble with motor planning.

In-Flexibility with The Schedule

Your child could be struggling with this because their nervous system is disorganized due to sensory overload (too much sensory input), or they are having trouble with motor planning.

Difficulty Waiting or Taking Turns

Your child could be struggling with this because their nervous system is disorganized due to sensory overload, causing them to display an impulsive approach, or because they are experiencing difficulties with motor planning.

Touching Everything (Peers, Toys, Walls, ect)

Your child might be struggling with this because their nervous system needs more sensory information to regulate, they have a lack of body awareness, or they are having difficulty with balance.

Grabbing or Knocking Over Items

Your child might be struggling with this because their nervous system needs more sensory information to be able to understand where their body is in space, control their impulses, and gauge their force.

Trouble Playing or Working Collaboratively With Peers

Your child could be struggling with this because they have trouble taking turns (see above), are experiencing difficulties with motor planning, or having difficulties gauging their force.

Difficulty Sitting Still

Your child could struggle with this because they are lacking body awareness, having difficulty with balance, have hip and/or trunk weakness, or need more sensory information to regulate. On the flip side, your child could have trouble sitting still because they are receiving too much sensory information, are overstimulated, & need help regulating their nervous system.

Difficulty Focusing or Following Directions

Your child could be having trouble with this because their nervous system is overwhelmed & disorganized (too much sensory information), or because they are experiencing motor planning challenges.

Trouble Listening

Your child could have trouble listening because their sensory system is unable to filter out unimportant sensory information (background noises like the air conditioner, the feeling of their clothes, lingering smells) and can’t focus on what they need to.

If your child’s teacher has mentioned any of these behaviors getting in the way of your child’s success at school, it may be time to implement a few sensory strategies to support them during the school day. Let’s take a look at a few of our favorite strategies in the next section.

Sensory Strategies to Improve Classroom Behavior

There are many strategies that you can introduce to support your child’s nervous system in the classroom. Some strategies require more thought process & collaboration with the teacher than others. Here are some of our favorite strategies to start with –

Create Opportunities to Get Muscle Work Throughout the Day

Muscle work (aka proprioception) is very regulating for the nervous system. It can calm & organize the nervous system, or it can wake it up! Regulating muscle work includes activities like jumping, stretching, yoga, animal walks, deep breathing, body weight exercises, wiping down tables/windows, or moving furniture. Weighted items like weighted vests, lap pads, or backpacks can also provide calming muscle input.

Take Sensory Breaks

Essentially a sensory break allows for your child to get a break from stimulating environments. A sensory break could look like running an errand or sitting in a separate space that is quiet, like a calm down corner. It could be helpful to have a pair of headphones at school for your child to use when they need to take a break.

Utilize Visual Schedules & Visual Aids

Having visual schedules & aids can be really helpful if your child is struggling with motor planning, has a short attention span, or struggles with distraction. We recommend taping a small, simple visual schedule on their desk so they can refer to it easily. If your child struggles with motor planning, using ‘if, then’ statements can also be helpful.

Do you think your child could benefit from implementing sensory strategies at school to improve their behavior & support their success? Then it’s time for you to flex your parent advocacy skills!

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No parent wants their child to be labeled, especially as one with behavioral issues. Here at Children In Motion we specialize in looking beyond challenging behavior to uncover children’s needs. To our core, we believe behavior is communication. By taking the time to get to know your child & creating an accepting space for them to exist as they are – challenging behaviors and all – we can identify areas where they need support & build a strategic plan that will set them up for success. 

We’d love to support your family through this process in person at our clinic in Sandy Springs, Georgia, or virtually through parent coaching. The best way to get in touch is by filling out our contact form. We also recommend checking out our free resource library for more support!