There may be times when you just can't get your child's teacher to listen to your concerns, and you may fear that she will give your child an even harder time if you push. If your child has other special needs sufficient to qualify for an individualized education plan (IEP), you can have the accommodations he requires for sensory integration problems written into that document. These are legally binding, and the teacher will not have the option to ignore them.

If she does, you will have recourse to the child study team, the district's department of special education, the state special education authorities, and even the courts if it comes to that. (It's unlikely that it will.) Most sensory integration accommodations are reasonable and similar to those that might be requested for any child with developmental delays.

If your child doesn't qualify for an IEP, your options may be more limited. You can ask the school occupational therapist to talk to the teacher. You can talk to the principal and request whatever support the teacher will need to be able to accommodate your child. You can request another teacher (do a little research first to see which teacher in your child's grade would be the best choice). You can request frequent conferences to offer new ideas or suggestions; it is possible that the teacher will eventually go along just to shut you up.

But in the end, it may be that you will just have to help your child hold on through a bad year and hope for better luck next time. Provide your child with plenty of extra support and understanding to make up for what she's not getting in school.