Charlene's Role In Sensory Activities

Week 1: Charlene attended the program all three of her scheduled days this week. She participated in one sensory activity of project 2 out of the 3 days she attended. This week Charlene has the opportunity to make a spring flower painting using the bottom of a 16oz water bottle. Staff provided support to Charlene by setting up the activity, and providing HOH assistance as needed. First, staff guided Charlene from the recliner to a hard back chair at the table. Staff then immediately encouraged Charlene to hold, feel, and squish, and empty, plastic, water bottle. Then staff used HOH to assist Charlene’s hands and the water bottle into a small puddle of tempura paint. Staff helped Charlene rub the bottle into the paint making sure there
This week Charlene had the opportunity to try several new sensory items. These sensory items were secured to the wall where Charlene could easily reach them. Each day that Charlene arrived at SkillQuest, a staff member supported Charlene by guiding her into her room, removing her jacket if necessary, and assisting her into her preferred bean bag chair. Once Charlene was comfortable, staff provided her with a few minutes to acclimate herself with the new surroundings. After about 10 minutes, staff approached Charlene and sat on the floor next to her. Then staff gently guided Charlene’s hand toward the wall and up to the available items. When Charlene’s fingers touched the items staff released her arm. Charlene independently felt the items for approximately 5 seconds and then brought her arm back to her body. Staff provided Charlene with a few minutes to relax and then repeated the activity. Charlene responded similarly, she touched the items for about 5 seconds and then pulled her arm back into her body. When staff attempted to engage Charlene again, Charlene indicated that she did not want to participate by keeping her arm firmly in place. Staff respected Charlene’s wish to discontinue the activity. On another day staff assisted Charlene with an olfactory activity. While Charlene sat in her preferred bean bag chair, a staff member provided her with a perfume sample to smell. The first sample Charlene did not care for and immediately pushed it away. Staff then gave Charlene some coffee grounds to clear her nose and increase sensitivity for the next sample. The next sample was a men’s cologne. Charlene did not push this sample away and hummed as if to indicate that she found the smell pleasant. Staff again provided coffee grounds to help clear her nose and then presented Charlene with another sample. Charlene was