Improving Focus & Behavior in the Classroom: Implementing Sensory Strategies that Work for All Students

Name: Improving Focus & Behavior in the Classroom (Course & Workbook)
Brand: Harkla
SKU: DP-SSCLASS-COMBO
Price: 175.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

$175.00

Learn exactly how to implement functional therapeutic sensory strategies in the classroom to help your student(s) improve focus, mood, behavior, daily functioning skills, learning, and overall quality of life!

If you are a teacher or a professional working with children within the classroom this course is a must. You will leave with more ideas than you ever imagined and the confidence to make your classroom sensory-friendly for all students, not just those with specific sensory difficulties. — Kassy Packer, School-Based ABA Therapist

Harkla Classroom Sensory Strategies Course & Workbook

1 Review

Improving Focus & Behavior in the Classroom: Implementing Sensory Strategies that Work for All Students

$175.00

Learn exactly how to implement functional therapeutic sensory strategies in the classroom to help your student(s) improve focus, mood, behavior, daily functioning skills, learning, and overall quality of life!

If you are a teacher or a professional working with children within the classroom this course is a must. You will leave with more ideas than you ever imagined and the confidence to make your classroom sensory-friendly for all students, not just those with specific sensory difficulties. — Kassy Packer, School-Based ABA Therapist

Learn exactly how to implement functional therapeutic sensory strategies in the classroom to help your student(s) improve focus, mood, behavior, daily functioning skills, learning, and overall quality of life!

AOTA CEU Approved Provider

Select Course Level

1.2 AOTA CEUs

For Teachers

$125.00

Designed for educators, therapists and homeschooling parents looking to thoroughly and comprehensively expand their knowledge on sensory processing and how sensory affects student(s) learning and lives.

Course Features

Taught by Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants with advanced training in Sensory Processing Disorder, Child Development, and Primitive Reflex Integration
15 Modules of training
12 Hours of video lessons
50+ Instructional digital PDFs included
Comprehensive overview of the 8 sensory systems
Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the functional impact on learning
Entire video sensory toolbox - a variety of functional product and non-product based sensory activities within each sensory system that assist with sensory processing needs for all students
How to implement sensory breaks into the daily classroom routine to improve focus and attention and meet student(s) sensory needs
Comprehensive overview of 6 primitive reflexes and their impact on student(s) learning and daily lives
Functional integration classroom activities to promote natural reflex integration
Review foundational and advanced executive functioning skills like emotional regulation, attention and organization
Understand the difference between sensory challenges vs. behavioral challenges and learn strategies to help with both
Learn how to talk and communicate effectively with sensory students and those with sensory processing challenges
Implement classroom accommodations for specific scenarios
Learn exactly what to include in your classroom for a sensory friendly classroom for ALL students’ needs
Review transitions and sensory strategies and tips to use before, during and after them
Understanding strategies for your classroom to help with biological needs, distractions, task avoidance, multi-sensory learning, redirection, aggression, virtual learning, and Social Emotional Learning
Sensory strategies for PE and other electives/specials
Tips and strategies for therapeutic practice in the school setting
Case studies with example classroom situations and what strategies can be utilized
How to implement regulation strategies for YOU as the educator or teacher
This course is approved for 1.2 AOTA CEUs or 12.0 Contact Hours (see continuing education section below for more information)

200+ Page Physical Spiral Bound Workbook

1.2 AOTA CEUs

For School-Based Therapists

$175.00

The same course as the AOTA CEU version, but this option comes with a 200+ page spiral bound workbook with all of the documents from the course beautifully organized to make using it in school that much easier.

Course Features

Taught by Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants with advanced training in Sensory Processing Disorder, Child Development, and Primitive Reflex Integration
15 Modules of training
12 Hours of video lessons
50+ Instructional digital PDFs included
Comprehensive overview of the 8 sensory systems
Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the functional impact on learning
Entire video sensory toolbox - a variety of functional product and non-product based sensory activities within each sensory system that assist with sensory processing needs for all students
How to implement sensory breaks into the daily classroom routine to improve focus and attention and meet student(s) sensory needs
Comprehensive overview of 6 primitive reflexes and their impact on student(s) learning and daily lives
Functional integration classroom activities to promote natural reflex integration
Review foundational and advanced executive functioning skills like emotional regulation, attention and organization
Understand the difference between sensory challenges vs. behavioral challenges and learn strategies to help with both
Learn how to talk and communicate effectively with sensory students and those with sensory processing challenges
Implement classroom accommodations for specific scenarios
Learn exactly what to include in your classroom for a sensory friendly classroom for ALL students’ needs
Review transitions and sensory strategies and tips to use before, during and after them
Understanding strategies for your classroom to help with biological needs, distractions, task avoidance, multi-sensory learning, redirection, aggression, virtual learning, and Social Emotional Learning
Sensory strategies for PE and other electives/specials
Tips and strategies for therapeutic practice in the school setting
Case studies with example classroom situations and what strategies can be utilized
How to implement regulation strategies for YOU as the educator or teacher
This course is approved for 1.2 AOTA CEUs or 12.0 Contact Hours (see continuing education section below for more information)

200+ Page Physical Spiral Bound Workbook

All of our PDFs printed and organized in a workbook that includes checklists, sensory activity toolbox activities, primitive reflex integration activities, sensory activity cards with templates, and pictures of all of our sensory exercises and strategies. Everything you need in one place to reference quickly and efficiently!

As Seen In

Why Is Understanding Sensory Challenges Essential to Every Student's Success?

1 in 6 children have sensory processing disorder, and up to 89% of children have at least 1 retained primitive reflex.

As more school-aged children struggle with sensory processing challenges and retained primitive reflexes, many are having a harder time with learning, behavior, mood, focus, and social connection.

But there’s often a gap between knowing a child needs support and knowing how to help them in the classroom.

This course gives you clear, practical strategies to support the whole classroom and individual students through sensory activities, primitive reflex integration, and executive functioning tools.

You’ll learn how to create a more supportive classroom environment where students can feel calmer, more focused, and ready to learn.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory Processing Disorder is when a person struggles with sensory input, like clothing, lighting, or sounds, to the point that it negatively affects their day-to-day activities.

Sensory Processing Disorder is when sensory needs severely impact daily functioning on a consistent basis. When a child can’t process the messages from the sensory world, they struggle with daily tasks. This includes daily tasks like bathing, using the bathroom, mealtime, self-feeding, dressing and transitions between tasks. It also impacts a child’s ability to learn in school and interact in social situations.

Working with your student(s) with different sensory activities can help them develop a healthy sensory system, which can potentially avoid the detrimental challenges that come with sensory processing disorder.

What Are Retained Primitive Reflexes?

We are all born with primitive reflexes! Developed in the womb, these involuntary movement patterns help newborns stay safe in the brand new, scary world they are experiencing!

These primitive reflexes do not stay forever; they should ‘integrate’, go away or mature, some around 12 months of age, some closer to two or three years old. When a primitive reflex integrates, it makes way for new, more mature movement patterns and higher-level learning to develop.

Oftentimes children don’t get the motor activities they need in order for reflexes to integrate. When primitive reflexes aren’t naturally integrated, they become ‘retained’, leading to anxiety, poor social skills, struggles in school, and more! Development may be hindered, and the infant may not gain higher-level skills.

What You'll Get

Self-Paced Video

You'll have instant access to hours of video lessons taught by Certified Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistants.

Downloadable Handouts and Guides

We include PDFs for activities, templates, and more to make implementing what you learn in this course even easier!

Students who are struggling with processing sensory input will have a harder time:

Sitting still during class

Focusing on assignments

Self-regulating behavior

Social skills with classmates

Identify 3 areas of sensory over-responsivity that can potentially affect a student’s ability to successfully complete academic tasks

State 2 regulation strategies that students can use in the classroom in order to improve focus during classwork.

List 4 accommodations that can be utilized in the classroom setting to support students who are exhibiting academic challenges related to retained primitive reflexes.

List 4 signs that a student is struggling with sensory processing as it relates to academic tasks, and list 1 strategy/accommodation for each.

Identify 2 areas of executive functioning that impact a student’s ability to complete school related tasks.

State 3 tools that professionals can implement when working with a student who struggles with aggression in the classroom.

Identify 3 ways that professionals can create sensory friendly, inclusive classrooms to support their students’ academic success.

Course Outline

This digital course is a 15 module training with 12 hours of video, and 12 contact hours / 1.2 AOTA CEUs (plus bonuses!), along with clear instructions and functional strategies to implement into your school immediately to assist students' function, learning, and daily success.

Module 1 Sensory Processing in the Classroom

Comprehensive overview about the Pyramid of Learning, sensory processing, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the subtypes of SPD. Review the 8 sensory systems and their impact on student learning and development.
Module 2 Sensory in the Classroom Activity Toolbox

Sensory-based activity ideas and demonstrations that assist with sensory processing needs for all students. We walk you through product and non-product sensory based activities for every sensory system!
Module 3 Sensory Breaks

Learn all about what they are, why they are important and how to easily implement them into your classroom daily routine for the whole class and for specific students with certain sensory needs. We also include sensory break activity cards to use with easy to use templates!
Module 4 Primitive Reflexes

Understand what primitive reflexes are, why they are essential for childhood development, what happens when they are not integrated, and how retained primitive reflexes impact learning & development in the classroom.
Module 5 Primitive Reflex Strategies for the Classroom

Learn accommodations and strategies for students who exhibit challenges related to retained primitive reflexes and utilize a toolbox of primitive reflex integration activities, breaks and routines to implement into the classroom.
Module 6 Executive Functioning

Learn all about executive functioning skills; foundational and advanced executive functioning skills like emotional regulation, attention and organization and why we need to understand these skills in order to help our students succeed.
Module 7 Sensory vs Behavior

Deeply understand the difference between sensory challenges vs. behavioral challenges and learn strategies to help with both. We’ll help you evaluate if a student is simply acting out, or if they are struggling with specific sensory challenges in the classroom.
Module 8 Communicating Effectively with Students

The way we talk to a sensory student may be different than the way we talk to a neurotypical student. Learn how to talk and communicate effectively with sensory students and those with sensory processing challenges.
Module 9 Classroom Accommodations

Implement classroom accommodations for specific scenarios to facilitate a calm body, improving focus and attention, and general accommodations for a successful sensory classroom for all students.
Module 10 Building a Sensory Friendly Classroom

You may need to switch some things up to make your classroom more sensory friendly for everyone to thrive! Learn exactly what to include in your classroom for a sensory friendly classroom for ALL students’ needs and for all 8 sensory systems.
Module 11 Transitions

Why are transitions so hard for children and what can we do about it? Learn all about common transitions in the classroom and sensory strategies and tips to implement in the classroom before, during and after transitions occur to make them as seamless as possible for your student(s).
Module 12 Strategies for the Classroom

Learn some important tips, tricks, and strategies to help your classroom! Understanding strategies for your classroom to help with biological needs, distractions, task avoidance, multi-sensory learning, redirection, aggression, virtual learning, and Social Emotional Learning.
Module 13 Strategies for PE and Electives/Specials

So much of a sensory student’s needs are physical, it’s important to make sure Physical Education is accommodating to sensory students! We provide tips and ideas for seamlessly integrating sensory strategies into P.E. and other electives/specials.
Module 14 Therapeutic Practice in the School Setting

This module is specifically designed to support OT practitioners in the school setting. Learn how to best support your students and teachers on their sensory journey. This module includes treatment planning, tips for teletherapy, and resources for IEPs and goal writing.
Module 15 Case Studies

Seeing things in action really helps information stick. This is why we include a bonus case study to help you see these strategies in action! We include case studies with specific example classroom situations and what strategies can be utilized to solve them.
Bonus! Regulation Strategies for You!

As educators it’s common to put students’ needs above your own, but it’s hard to pour from an empty glass! This module encourages educators to meet their sensory needs first, provides you strategies how exactly to do that, and tips on how to avoid burnout!

This digital course is a 15 module training with 12 hours of video, and 12 contact hours / 1.2 AOTA CEUs (plus bonuses!), along with clear instructions and functional strategies to implement into your school immediately to assist students' function, learning, and daily success.

Module 1 Sensory Processing in the Classroom

Comprehensive overview about the Pyramid of Learning, sensory processing, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the subtypes of SPD. Review the 8 sensory systems and their impact on student learning and development.
Module 2 Sensory in the Classroom Activity Toolbox

Sensory-based activity ideas and demonstrations that assist with sensory processing needs for all students. We walk you through product and non-product sensory based activities for every sensory system!
Module 3 Sensory Breaks

Learn all about what they are, why they are important and how to easily implement them into your classroom daily routine for the whole class and for specific students with certain sensory needs. We also include sensory break activity cards to use with easy to use templates!
Module 4 Primitive Reflexes

Understand what primitive reflexes are, why they are essential for childhood development, what happens when they are not integrated, and how retained primitive reflexes impact learning & development in the classroom.
Module 5 Primitive Reflex Strategies for the Classroom

Learn accommodations and strategies for students who exhibit challenges related to retained primitive reflexes and utilize a toolbox of primitive reflex integration activities, breaks and routines to implement into the classroom.
Module 6 Executive Functioning

Learn all about executive functioning skills; foundational and advanced executive functioning skills like emotional regulation, attention and organization and why we need to understand these skills in order to help our students succeed.
Module 7 Sensory vs Behavior

Deeply understand the difference between sensory challenges vs. behavioral challenges and learn strategies to help with both. We’ll help you evaluate if a student is simply acting out, or if they are struggling with specific sensory challenges in the classroom.
Module 8 Communicating Effectively with Students

The way we talk to a sensory student may be different than the way we talk to a neurotypical student. Learn how to talk and communicate effectively with sensory students and those with sensory processing challenges.
Module 9 Classroom Accommodations

Implement classroom accommodations for specific scenarios to facilitate a calm body, improving focus and attention, and general accommodations for a successful sensory classroom for all students.
Module 10 Building a Sensory Friendly Classroom

You may need to switch some things up to make your classroom more sensory friendly for everyone to thrive! Learn exactly what to include in your classroom for a sensory friendly classroom for ALL students’ needs and for all 8 sensory systems.
Module 11 Transitions

Why are transitions so hard for children and what can we do about it? Learn all about common transitions in the classroom and sensory strategies and tips to implement in the classroom before, during and after transitions occur to make them as seamless as possible for your student(s).
Module 12 Strategies for the Classroom

Learn some important tips, tricks, and strategies to help your classroom! Understanding strategies for your classroom to help with biological needs, distractions, task avoidance, multi-sensory learning, redirection, aggression, virtual learning, and Social Emotional Learning.
Module 13 Strategies for PE and Electives/Specials

So much of a sensory student’s needs are physical, it’s important to make sure Physical Education is accommodating to sensory students! We provide tips and ideas for seamlessly integrating sensory strategies into P.E. and other electives/specials.
Module 14 Therapeutic Practice in the School Setting

This module is specifically designed to support OT practitioners in the school setting. Learn how to best support your students and teachers on their sensory journey. This module includes treatment planning, tips for teletherapy, and resources for IEPs and goal writing.
Module 15 Case Studies

Seeing things in action really helps information stick. This is why we include a bonus case study to help you see these strategies in action! We include case studies with specific example classroom situations and what strategies can be utilized to solve them.
Bonus! Regulation Strategies for You!

As educators it’s common to put students’ needs above your own, but it’s hard to pour from an empty glass! This module encourages educators to meet their sensory needs first, provides you strategies how exactly to do that, and tips on how to avoid burnout!
Physical Workbook Included 200+ Pages of Incredible Course Content

All of our PDFs printed and organized in a workbook that includes checklists, sensory activity toolbox activities, primitive reflex integration activities, sensory activity cards with templates, and pictures of all of our sensory exercises and strategies. Everything you need in one place to reference quickly and efficiently!

Meet Your Instructors

Rachel Harrington

COTA/L, CPRCS

Rachel is a Pediatric Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who is dedicated to helping children with different abilities feel confident in their own skin. She holds her Autism Certificate, and is continuing her education in Handwriting Without Tears, Primitive Reflex Integration, Sensory Integration, and more! Rachel lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, two young children, and dog, and can be found outside hiking, playing games, and not taking life too seriously!

Jessica Hill

COTA/L, CPRCS

Jessica is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who specializes in Pediatrics. She is passionate about helping children become healthy, happy, and confident members of society. She has training and experience in Primitive Reflex Integration, Sensory Integration, feeding, and parent training. Jessica and her son live in Boise, Idaho with their two crazy cats and enjoy hiking, swimming, and traveling!

Frequently Asked Questions

This is an optional description that can elaborate on the questions that are being asked.

How long is this course?

Approximately 4.5 hours that you can go through and revisit at your own pace!
What is the refund policy for this course?

Like all Harkla products, this falls under our lifetime guarantee. This basically means that if at any time you aren’t satisfied with the course, we’ll refund you right away.
Will I have access to the instructors for the course?

We offer the ability to book a time slot with the instructors for an extra fee, but you are able to comment within courses and get answers to those comments as you go from the instructors.
We also are very responsive on customer support and social media to connect with our community.
Can parents take this course?

Absolutely! The ‘Master Level’ Option will be best for you if you’re a parent. Although this course was designed with therapists in mind, the program is so beneficial for parents to implement at home with their child(ren) as well, especially if you have a child struggling with attention and focus challenges specifically.
Is this course research-based?

Yes! We include the evidence-based articles we used to create this course, as well as the research we use as pediatric occupational therapy assistants that support our treatment interventions. You can find the resources and references in the last module of this course.
How do I get my certification for CEUs?

In order to earn your AOTA CEU certificate you must complete the course evaluation and pass the post-test with 80% accuracy. Then you'll be able to download and print your certificate for continuing education!
Is there a payment plan for the course?

Yes! If you select Shop Pay or PayPal while checking out, you will have the option to select a pay over time plan. If you need any help with this, please reach out to us: support@harkla.co

Harkla Gives Back

Game Changers Idaho

We donate 1% of every sale to Game Changers Idaho to provide year-round inclusive sports leagues to give children of all abilities the opportunity to learn, grow & create friendships through sports.

Our Mission

Our Mission

Help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives.

At Harkla, we believe you already have enough on your plate. That’s why we’re here to help you with sensory needs, sleep improvement, and focus in the classroom through our products, courses and community.

About Harkla

Improving Focus & Behavior in the Classroom: Implementing Sensory Strategies that Work for All Students

Improving Focus & Behavior in the Classroom: Implementing Sensory Strategies that Work for All Students