Virtual Booth

Data from Malaysia's Ministry of Education indicates a significant rise in the enrolment of children with autism in inclusive and mainstream primary schools, following the national push for inclusive education policies. Despite this integration, many children with autism face substantial challenges during school-based transitions — such as moving between classrooms, adapting to new teachers, or participating in unstructured activities like recess and physical education. These sensory-rich, unpredictable school environments often trigger dysregulation, meltdowns, and social withdrawal, resulting in reduced learning engagement and increased burden on classroom teachers who typically lack formal training in sensory-based intervention.

Unlike the home environment — where parents can be coached through tools such as the OT-guided Sensory Flashcard System — school settings present a distinct challenge: multiple caregivers, time constraints, and large class sizes limit the consistent application of individualized sensory strategies. There is currently no structured, teacher-friendly, OT-informed sensory toolkit specifically designed for the Malaysian inclusive classroom context.

To address this gap, we propose the development of SensoryBridge — a school-readiness sensory transition kit co-designed by occupational therapists and special education teachers. The kit includes:

1. Sensory Zone Cards — colour-coded visual cues that signal the sensory demand level of each school activity
2. Teacher Quick-Reference Guide — a laminated, desk-ready guide with simple de-escalation sensory strategies
3. Student Sensory Passport — a personalised one-page profile prepared by the OT and shared with the classroom teacher to communicate the child's sensory triggers and effective strategies
4. Transition Warning Strips — visual countdown tools embedded into classroom schedules to prepare children for upcoming sensory changes

By bridging the gap between clinic-based occupational therapy and inclusive school practice, SensoryBridge aims to promote sensory regulation, reduce classroom disruptions, and empower teachers as active partners in the child's therapeutic journey.