The law extends protections to those with disabling medical conditions, including the right to accommodations to participate in public life. The purpose of an individualized education program (IEP) is to allow a student with medical challenges to participate in public education.
Parents work with educational professionals to establish an IEP that helps the child thrive in a public school environment. IEPs can outline the accommodations that the student needs based on the disabling symptoms they experience. When autism or other sensory processing issues are part of a child’s diagnostic profile, sensory accommodations are often a key component of a successful IEP.
What sensory supports are available?
There are many ways for educational professionals to help students with sensory processing challenges. Some students struggle to accurately process auditory information. They may benefit from having access to written lessons or recordings of in-class instructions so that they can actually understand the spoken lesson. Accommodations intended to overcome processing deficits are common.
Sensory overload is another consideration that may require accommodations. Students may find the presence of multiple other people in a small space overwhelming. All of the sights and sounds can make it impossible for them to focus or manage their emotional reactions. Schools may want to provide a separate space where children can go if they feel overwhelmed and overstimulated.
The unique ways that sensory challenges manifest for a student dictate what accommodations their parents may need to seek. Pursuing an IEP that addresses sensory issues or updating an existing one to accommodate sensory challenges can be critical for student success. Parents often need help navigating the process of establishing, modifying or enforcing an IEP, and that’s okay.