Sensory Safety Support Plan
Sensory Safety Support Plan
Individual Staff Guide & Sensory Replacement Protocol • Grade 1
Confidential: For School Team Use
Review Date: Monthly / OT Case Review
Target Behavior Seeking Pain / Unsafe Sensory
Sensory Profile High Tactile Threshold (Seeker)
Primary Function Sensory Regulation / Proprioception
Plan Objective 100% Safe Substitute Usage
1. Sensory Function & Core Mechanism
Why this occurs: The student experiences severe tactile under-responsiveness (hypo-reactivity). Mild tactile cues are insufficient; the nervous system requires high-intensity, localized, sharp tactile stimulation to feel grounded, regulate alertness, or relieve acute internal overwhelm.
Key Mindset: This behavior is neurological sensory-seeking, not purposeful self-harm, rebellion, or attention-seeking. Never shame or reprimand. The goal is immediate access to safe, high-intensity replacements.
2. Known Triggers & High-Risk Windows
Low-Stimulation / Waiting Periods
Carpet time, listening blocks longer than 7 minutes, independent quiet seatwork, or unstructured waiting during whole-group line-ups.
Task Frustration & Cognitive Overload
Multi-step fine-motor tasks (cutting, writing), challenging reading tasks, or unexpected schedule changes triggering rapid dysregulation.
3. Safe Intense Tactile Replacement Kit
Must Be Within Arm's Reach
Acupressure Rings & Rollers Fingers & Palms
Metal spiky spring rings rolled along fingers provide intense, focal, sharp tactile input that safely mirrors the desired sensation without breaking skin.
Spiky Tactile Strips Under Desk / Clipboard
Silicone/hard textured spiky adhesive strips mounted under the student’s desk edge, pencil body, and chair frame for discrete, intense tactile pressing.
Industrial Hook-and-Loop (Velcro) Pocket / Lap Pad
Rough "hook" side of heavy-duty Velcro attached to student pencil box and fidget card. Delivers sharp scratchy feedback under firm finger pressure.
Textured Heavy-Work Putty Deep Tactile + Muscle
Firm resistance therapy putty embedded with small textured beads or combined with firm rubber spiky balls for maximum combined tactile and joint resistance.
4. Environmental Safety & Desk Setup
Desk Sweep: Keep sharp staples, paper clips, safety pins, and wire spirals out of personal reach.
Writing Tools: Use textured silicone pencil grips, rounded triangular crayons, or felt-tip markers.
Sensory Station: Visual lanyard cue allows student to request "Spiky Box" without speaking during stress.
Sensory Safety Support Plan • Student Support Services Page 1 of 2
Response & De-Escalation Protocol
Step-by-Step Staff Action Guide & De-Escalation Framework
Approach: Calm • Neutral • Non-Punitive
Safety First Strategy
5. Tiered Staff Intervention Protocol
Tier 1: Calm / Regulated (Proactive Sensory Diet) Every 20–30 Mins
Staff Action: Provide scheduled, preventative tactile stimulation before seeking occurs. Offer the acupressure ring during circle time or invite the student to press the spiky strip while listening.
Script "Here is your spiky ring for carpet time. Let's roll it 5 times on each finger before our story."
Tier 2: Early Seeking / Agitation (Prompt & Trade) Immediate Redirection
Observed Signs: Searching pencil cup, picking at fingernails, pressing hard on pencils, rubbing skin aggressively.
Staff Action: Move close quietly without drawing peer attention. Silently offer a high-intensity replacement tool directly into the student's hand.
Script "Your fingers are looking for strong feelings. Let’s squeeze the spiky strip or roll the metal ring right now."
Tier 3: Unsafe Object In Hand (Neutral Trade-Off Protocol) Urgent Safety Response
Staff Action: Maintain completely calm facial expression and low, flat tone. DO NOT grab abruptly or enter a physical tug-of-war. Place the safe intense tactile substitute in your open palm directly in front of them while asking for the unsafe item.
Script "I need that item for safety. Trade me for this spiky roller. Give to my hand, take the roller."
6. Verbal Communication Guide
What to Say & Do
- "Let’s give your hands strong sensory work."
- "You can press this rough velcro as hard as you need."
- Keep tone low, flat, reassuring, and neutral.
- Praise prompt safe tool transitions quietly.
What to Avoid
- "Stop doing that, you're hurting yourself!" (Increases panic).
- "If you don't stop, you lose recess." (Ineffective for sensory needs).
- Loud gasps, startled reactions, or public call-outs.
- Physically wrestling an object unless imminent severe injury.
7. Documentation & Daily Monitoring
1. Log incident in Daily Sensory Tracker: Note time, preceding activity, tool offered, and student response.
2. Debrief with Occupational Therapist: If seeking spikes, OT will rotate textures to prevent habituation.
OT Checkpoint Bi-Weekly
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