A School Health Program to Foster Understanding of Sensory Processing Challenges

NASN Sch Nurse. 2024 Aug 8:1942602X241265667. doi: 10.1177/1942602X241265667. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

School-age children experience sensory processing challenges, especially among children living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the modern classroom strives to be an inclusive environment, more schools are adopting measures to provide sensory processing support. School nurses can be at the forefront to spearhead this initiative and are well-positioned to promote support and inclusivity for students through increased education for this population, including their peers. This article explores a collaboration between local school health services and a college of nursing to provide school-age children the opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by children living with sensory processing challenges.

Keywords: after-school care; autism spectrum disorder; before; behavioral health; mental health; school nurses.