Sensory Modulation is an evidence based intervention supporting children and teenagers to develop effective skills to manage stress, intense emotions and challenging life events. It works by using sensory input to change the physiology of the body, and in doing so creates a positive shift in feelings. The senses used include sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, deep pressure and movement. Schools, youth services, hospitals, health and community services who have adopted sensory modulation have shown reduced stress levels, enhanced well being and improved functional outcomes for their students and service users. Sensory modulation is proven to help young people to: • feel more grounded when spacey, zoned out or having difficulty focusing • self soothe when feeling self-hatred, shame, sadness or coping with loss • calm down when feeling anxious, scared, angry or restless • relax when feeling physically uptight or mentally stressed • feel more alert when tired, lethargic, or having trouble concentrating • increase feelings of safety and security when afraid or troubled by distressing worries or unpleasant memories • self manage specific symptoms including pain, panic or inability to sleep • increase positive feelings in the moment when feeling sad or worried • use alternatives to acting out or hurting themselves when very distressed Sensory modulation works quickly and effectively to change feelings. Research shows that body based interventions directly targeting these brain centres (like sensory modulation) are more effective for young people: • in emotional distress • who have experienced traumatic life events • who have cognitive difficulties The Sensory Modulation Resource Manual was written by Occupational Therapists Carolyn Fitzgibbon and Julie O’Sullivan, to assist those working with young people to use sensory modulation in their day to day lives. Practical information with respect to the young person, the activities they engage in, and their environment is provided. The sensory modulation strategies suggested in the manual are effective because they are safe, appropriate, individualised and meaningful to the young person. The Sensory Modulation Resource Manual explores concepts and offers a range of interventions suitable for working with children and teenagers, including: • Understanding the 8 senses and how sensory modulation works • Creating sensory spaces, sensory rooms and sensory playground zones for schools, home and community centres • Developing sensory kits and applying sensory modulation in daily routines It provides helpful strategies to successfully integrate sensory modulation into everyday life. Downloadable resources such as worksheets and factsheets are available to support understanding and embed the concepts and techniques.

Change How You Feel Series Sensory Modulation Strategies for Managing Intense Emotions and Challenging Scenarios Teachers are increasingly called on to support students who are in distress. Having a range of strategies, effective for both children and teachers, to reduce stress and increase feelings of safety and calm can enhance teacher and student emotional health and wellbeing, resilience and confidence. Sensory modulation changes how you feel through using your senses (such as sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and movement). It changes the physiology of the body, and in doing so creates a positive shift in feelings. Research shows that body based interventions, like sensory modulation, target the brain centres that control the stress response and are thus more effective for people in emotional distress, who have experienced trauma, or have developmental or learning difficulties. Sensory modulation helps children, teenagers and adults to: • feel more grounded when spacey, zoned out or having difficulty focusing • self soothe when feeling self-hatred, shame, sadness or coping with loss • calm down when feeling anxious, scared, angry or restless • relax when feeling physically uptight or mentally stressed • feel more energised and focused when tired, lethargic, or having trouble concentrating • increase feelings of safety and security when afraid or troubled by distressing worries or memories • self-manage pain or inability to sleep • increase positive feelings in the moment when feeling sad or worried • use alternatives to acting out or hurting themselves when extremely distressed The following worksheets recommend sensory modulation strategies to help teachers and students in particular situations. Strategies identified focus on the power sensations, which are considered the most effective and thus useful for multiple scenarios. As skills and confidence increase with use, additional sensory strategies can be explored and included, which will further enhance effectiveness and personal self-mastery. The ‘Change How You Feel Series’ includes: Change how you feel: panic, anxiety and stress Change how you feel: grounding Change how you feel: anger and agitation Change how you feel: enhance feelings of safety Change how you feel: difficulty sleeping Change how you feel: feeling numb Change how you feel: cigarette cravings Change how you feel: cravings for substances Change how you feel: self-harm Change how you feel: pain Change how you feel: auditory hallucinations (A.H) Change how you feel: for people with dementia Change how you feel: waiting room design The Change how you feel series are available in PDF at the TES shop – www.tes.com (search for ‘Change how you feel’ series). They are also available with other useful teaching resources as part of the Sensory Modulation Resource Manual, an e-book also available at the TES shop.

Participants will learn Sensory Modulation strategies for staying calm in the classroom, managing anxiety, anger, and getting off to sleep. Many of the sensory items used are able to be low budget eg a bag of rice, ice pack and other common household items. The Sensory Modulation Brisbane workshops are at family-friendly times, to support parents who would like to have some professional development and then go pick up the kids. Workshop Overview • Sensory Modulation Definition • Sensory Processing Overview • How Sensory Modulation works • Tailoring Sensory Modulation to the participant through ensuring it is Safe, Appropriate, Individualised and Meaningful • Useful sensory items for Teachers

**Change How You Feel Series Sensory Modulation Strategies for Managing Intense Emotions and Challenging Scenarios ** Teachers are increasingly called on to support students who distressed, overwhelmed, highly anxious, and dealing with challenging situations at school or in their personal lives. This responsibility can take a toll on the emotional health and wellbeing of teachers. Having a range of strategies, effective for both children and teachers, to reduce stress and increase feelings of safety and calm can enhance teacher and student wellbeing, resilience and confidence. Sensory modulation changes how you feel through using your senses (such as sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and movement). Tailored sensory input works to change the physiology of the body, and in doing so creates a positive shift in feelings. Research shows that body based interventions, like sensory modulation, directly target the brain centres that control the stress response and are proven to be more effective for people in emotional distress, who have experienced trauma, or have developmental or cognitive difficulties. Sensory modulation helps children, teenagers and adults to: • feel more grounded when spacey, zoned out or having difficulty focusing • self soothe when feeling self-hatred, shame, sadness or coping with loss • calm down when feeling anxious, scared, angry or restless • relax when feeling physically uptight or mentally stressed • feel more energised and focused when tired, lethargic, or having trouble concentrating • increase feelings of safety and security when afraid or troubled by distressing worries or memories • self-manage pain or inability to sleep • increase positive feelings in the moment when feeling sad or worried • use alternatives to acting out or hurting themselves when extremely distressed The following worksheets outline challenging scenarios and intense emotional states, and recommend sensory modulation strategies to help teachers and students cope. Many of the strategies identified for one scenario will be effective for another, because the recommended strategies centre on the power sensations. Power sensations are considered the most effective for changing how you feel. As skills and confidence increase with application, additional sensory modulation strategies can be explored and included, which will further enhance effectiveness and personal self-mastery. ‘Change How You Feel Series’ includes: Change how you feel: panic, anxiety and stress Change how you feel: grounding Change how you feel: anger and agitation Change how you feel: enhance feelings of safety Change how you feel: difficulty sleeping Change how you feel: feeling numb Change how you feel: cigarette cravings Change how you feel: cravings for substances Change how you feel: self-harm Change how you feel: pain Change how you feel: auditory hallucinations (A.H) Change how you feel: for people with dementia Change how you feel: waiting room design There is a f

Sensory Modulation can be used when a child is angry. Some of the strategies that are useful to try are illustrated in this video. This makes it fun for kids. Further information is available in the Sensory Modulation Resource Manual