Education is not one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to meeting the needs of students with special requirements. Recognizing this, the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District (EEISD) has introduced sensory labs across several of its campuses. The unveiling of these sensory labs represents a significant milestone in the district’s ongoing mission to provide an individualized, nurturing educational foundation for all students. 

    “At Edcouch-Elsa ISD, we’re committed to pioneering new avenues for student success and this is one of them,” declared Dr. Jesse Fidelio Garza, the district’s Public Relations and Parental Outreach Administrator.

    Students who have difficulty processing sensory information can have trouble completing school activities that require them to sit still, attend to instruction, engage socially with peers, and play or work cooperatively with others, due to their over/under responsive sensory system.

    The sensory Labs, located at Jorge R. Gutierrez Early Childhood Center, Santiago Garcia Elementary, Ruben C. Rodriguez Elementary, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary, and John F. Kennedy Elementary, are equipped to accommodate sensory processing.

     “Sensory processing plays a critical role in self-regulation and learning,” explained Cristina Benavides, Occupational Therapist. “Students who have difficulty processing sensory information can face challenges in tasks requiring sustained attention, social interaction, and cooperation.”

     “We are proud of the support from EEISD in recognizing that all students possess unique individual learning abilities that may be impacted by sensory processing needs,” stated Ileana Rivera, Occupational Therapist.

    The establishment of these Sensory Labs owes much to the collaborative efforts of various individuals within the EEISD community: OTR Ileana Rivera, OTR Barbara Villalpando, OTR Cristina Benavides, Adapted PE Coach Jay Flores, Adapted PE Coach Asst Peter Leal, ARD Facilitator Amanda Martinez, Diagnostician Ruby Whittinghill, Special Ed Secretary Sarah Sitaland and Construction Teacher Aaron Tanguma.

     “These Sensory Labs were made possible through the support of our school board and are a testament to the shared belief that we want all our students at EEISD to have many opportunities to experience success,” remarked Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Alda T. Benavides.

     Plans are already underway to introduce additional sensory labs at PFC David Ybarra Middle School, Carlos F. Truan Jr. High School, and Edcouch-Elsa High School, further expanding the reach of this initiative.