Guest Blogger - Julia Igims, Co-Creator of the Harbor Sleeves - Peace of Mind Makes A Big Difference - How Harbor Sleeve Help Learners

My name is Julia, and I’m one of the co-creators of the Harbor Sleeve.  I work in a primary intensive support classroom with children that have significant needs.  At this level, we have many children that are just learning how to express their wants/needs, most likely struggle with coping with frustrations, and may display dysregulated sensory systems.  For many of our students, kindergarten is their first school experience as many early intervention programs have reached their maximum student limit and teacher shortages remain an issue almost everywhere.  It’s my belief that children should be provided with the opportunity to be educated alongside their peers as much as possible.  It can really be a struggle teaching our earliest learners coping skills, providing sensory supports, facilitating language, and supporting positive behavioral growth while simultaneously protecting ourselves and students from possible aggression or self-injurious behaviors.    

Behavior IS Communication!  As our students are first learning to communicate using low-tech or high-tech augmentative / alternative communication devices, inappropriate behaviors may occur.  These sleeves help keep staff safe so we can really help our little learners grow!  They are widely available in various rooms throughout our building and many of our staff carry them on a carabiner along with their staff id’s.  These sleeves provide just a little peace of mind while working with our little learners - and that peace of mind makes a big difference!