PECT Sensory and Motor Development in Special Education Flashcards

Which professional is primarily responsible for providing sensory integration therapy and fine motor skill support in a school setting?

Answer: The occupational therapist (OT)

Occupational therapists are trained to address sensory processing, fine motor skills, and daily living skills, making them the primary provider of sensory integration support in schools.

A student frequently seeks heavy input by pushing against furniture, hanging on peers, and crashing into walls. This behavior is most likely related to:

Answer: Sensory processing differences, specifically seeking proprioceptive input

Seeking heavy work or deep pressure is characteristic of proprioceptive-seeking behavior, where a student craves input to the muscles and joints to regulate their sensory system.

What is 'sensory defensiveness' in the context of sensory processing?

Answer: An over-responsive reaction to sensory input that most people do not find bothersome

Sensory defensiveness refers to an over-responsiveness to sensory stimuli — such as light touch, certain textures, or sounds — that causes a protective or avoidant reaction.

A classroom teacher notices a student with a disability struggles with handwriting legibility. The FIRST step is to:

Answer: Refer the student to the occupational therapist for a fine motor assessment

Referring the student to an OT for a fine motor assessment is the appropriate first step to identify the underlying cause and determine appropriate interventions or accommodations.

Which of the following is an example of a 'sensory diet' strategy for a child who is sensory-seeking?

Answer: Scheduling regular movement breaks and heavy work activities throughout the day

A sensory diet is a personalized activity plan that provides scheduled sensory input throughout the day to help sensory-seeking students stay regulated and ready to learn.

A student with visual impairment requires instruction in 'orientation and mobility (O&M).' What does this service teach?

Answer: How to move safely and independently through physical environments

Orientation and mobility instruction teaches students with visual impairments to understand their spatial environment and travel safely and independently using techniques such as cane travel.