I observed a special education classroom and the teacher used a soft bristol brush to scrub the kids hands?

Question

I observed a special education classroom and the teacher used a soft bristol brush to scrub the kids hands before they did art work, they had to brush their teeth before they ate, and she sprayed a sour spray in their mouths before circle time. Do you know why this was done?

Answer 1

HOW BOUT THE TEACHER IS NUTS.

IF I found out that a teacher was doing this to my child in his MID class room she would soon be handed a pink slip.

YOU were in the room...... You should have asked "IT" why.

Other then thinking she is a freak.....

it might be some sort of tactile sensory thing...... but it seems extreme.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Google Willabarger technique, also called brushing. It usually uses a corn bristle brush to stimulate the nervous system and help people with sensory processing disorders to cope with the overwhelming sensations of being alive in our world.

I think its www.sinetwork.org. When I first heard of brushing, in reference to my daughter with autism, I thought the therapist was insane (and wondered how abuse could be suggested) However, once it was shown to me, and I saw the amazing transformation in my daughter, I became an advocate. It is amazing...look here too

http://www.sensorysmarts.com/diet.html

Answer 3

Sensory stimulation and association. With some kids, sensory stimulation helps get the juices flowing. Plus, the kids associated the feel of the brush with being clean and doing art. They also learned to associate brushing their teeth with eating (not to mention it's good hygiene). Again, the sour spray helped them associate with circle time.

PS Resigned is an idiot and should only answer questions he knows something about.

Answer 4

Autist children have a malfunction in the part of the brain that processes sensory information. Many autistic kids find tactile stimulation like brushing the palms helps to calm them. Brushing the teeth in some cases helps them to be a bit more diverse in their food choices. The sour spray, for some helps stay an urge to constantly eat or drink.  Other things that are used include weighted vests and the "squeeze machine".

Answer 5

call your school board immediatly these kids have no idea that this is not normal and someone needs to stop it

Answer 6

who gave niklaus a thumbs down? The ghost of Gene Siskal? That's the most intelligent answer on this page.

Answer 7

Normal things you can do to a child help the brain wake up and send signals better!

Using a brush on a child's hand before artwork would stimulate the child's hand muscles... get the nerves woken up,  to "work" better.

Brushing a child's teeth before a meal will also stimulate the muscles in the mouth for better chewing, swallowing, tongue action, etc..Get the brain thinking about food before its in their mouth!

Spraying sour things in a child's mouth gets the tongue to the roof of the mouth for better oral motor,  vocalizations, swallowing, etc.