Navigating Sensory-Friendly Accommodations in Olentangy Local Schools: A Parent’s Guide

If you're a parent navigating sensory-friendly accommodations within the Olentangy Local School District, you're not alone. Finding the right supports for your neurodivergent child can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling so many details. But understanding the options available is a powerful first step—and this guide will help you feel more confident and equipped on this journey.

Olentangy Local Schools recognize every child is unique. They’re committed to providing individualized services designed to help your child thrive in their educational environment. Let’s walk through the sensory-friendly accommodations offered by the district and how you can advocate effectively.

Navigating sensory-friendly accommodations starts with knowing the specialized services Olentangy offers to meet diverse needs. These include:

• Small group instruction: More personalized attention in smaller settings, helping kids who might struggle in large classrooms to engage comfortably.
• Resource room classes: Supportive spaces for targeted instruction in key academic areas.
• Team teaching: Collaboration between general and special education teachers to adapt lessons in real time, accommodating sensory processing challenges within the general classroom.

For example, a child sensitive to noise might benefit from a small group setting where distractions are minimized, allowing them to focus and participate more fully. These services aren’t one-size-fits-all—they’re tailored through your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to their unique sensory profile.

Beyond instruction, Olentangy offers related therapies that are key to sensory-friendly support:

• Speech therapy: Helps with communication challenges that often accompany sensory processing issues.
• Occupational therapy (OT): Focuses on sensory integration and coping strategies, like sensory breaks or fidget tools.
• Physical therapy (PT): Supports motor skills and body awareness, which are important for navigating sensory environments.

An occupational therapist might suggest adjustments like special seating or scheduled sensory breaks to help your child stay calm and focused. Speech therapists may use sensory-friendly communication techniques to reduce frustration.

One of Olentangy’s strengths is customizing accommodations through the IEP. Parents and educators work together to identify sensory needs and preferences, then implement supports such as:

• Modified classroom lighting
• Noise reduction strategies
• Scheduled sensory breaks

These tailored accommodations help your child thrive rather than just cope. Remember, it’s a collaborative process—you know your child best.

Sensory challenges often tie closely to behavior and emotional well-being. Olentangy’s dedicated teams provide important supports here.

This team promotes positive behavior, self-regulation, and self-advocacy through individualized interventions tailored to sensory needs. Instead of reactive discipline, they focus on proactive strategies like:

• Teaching your child to recognize sensory triggers
• Developing calming techniques
• Encouraging the use of breaks

This helps reduce sensory overwhelm and supports smoother classroom experiences. Collaborate closely with the Behavior Team to align these strategies with your child’s IEP.

This department offers counseling, social-emotional learning, and crisis intervention to support your child’s emotional health. These services work alongside sensory accommodations to foster resilience and a sense of safety.

Here’s a step-by-step approach to working with Olentangy’s teams:

1. Engage early and often: Reach out during IEP meetings or when you notice challenges.
2. Share detailed insights: Your observations about your child’s sensory preferences are invaluable.
3. Request integrated plans: Advocate for behavioral strategies that support sensory needs and make sure they’re documented.
4. Explore additional resources: Programs like OASIS offer alternative settings if traditional classrooms are overwhelming.
5. Stay connected: Keep communication open with school teams and consider joining parent support groups.

OASIS offers a student-centered environment tailored for kids needing sensory accommodations. It adjusts factors like classroom size and noise levels to reduce overload and improve comfort.

Olentangy’s Dyslexia Specialist uses multisensory approaches like Orton-Gillingham to support reading. This method integrates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning, aligning well with sensory processing needs.

Consider these questions:

• Does your child thrive in smaller, quieter settings?
• Do they benefit from hands-on, multisensory learning?
• Are current IEP accommodations meeting their sensory needs?
• Have you talked with educators or specialists about alternative programs?

Trial experiences can help you gauge fit.

Navigating sensory-friendly accommodations in Olentangy Local Schools might feel overwhelming, but knowing your options empowers you to advocate confidently. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey.

Tools like NeuroMule can help you organize information, track accommodations, and see how everything fits together across services. That way, the process becomes less stressful and more manageable, freeing you up to focus on what matters most: supporting your child’s growth and well-being.

Take a deep breath—you’ve got this. NeuroMule is here to help lighten the load every step of the way.

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References:

• Olentangy Local Schools. OASIS Program. https://oasis.olentangy.k12.oh.us/about-oasis
• Olentangy Local Schools. District Dyslexia Specialist. https://www.olentangy.k12.oh.us/departments/pupil-services/district-dyslexia-specialist
• Olentangy Local Schools. Related & Supplemental Services. https://www.olentangy.k12.oh.us/departments/pupil-services/relatedsupplemental-services

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If you want to explore how NeuroMule can support your advocacy journey by organizing your child’s sensory accommodation information and easing your workload, check out NeuroMule today.