Sensory Processing

⚙️ What is SENSORY PROCESSING?

▪️ Sensory processing refers to how the nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory information from the environment and the body. It involves the brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of the various sensory inputs we receive through our senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, as well as proprioception (awareness of body position and movement) and vestibular (balance and spatial orientation) senses.

▪️ Sensory processing allows us to filter and prioritize sensory information, enabling us to interact with our surroundings effectively. It helps us understand and respond to sensory stimuli appropriately, maintain attention, regulate emotions, and coordinate our movements. Efficient sensory processing contributes to our overall sensory integration, which is the ability to process and integrate multiple sensory inputs seamlessly.

⚙️ What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

▪️ Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition characterized by atypical responses to sensory stimuli, leading to difficulties in processing and integrating sensory information from the environment and the body. It can affect individuals of all ages and is relatively common with autistic children.

▪️Individuals with SPD or sensory processing difficulties may experience hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory input. This means they may be overly sensitive or have reduced sensitivity to certain sensory stimuli compared to other individuals.

⚙️ The Subtypes of SPD are:

1. Sensory Modulation Disorder which includes over-responsive, under-responsive, and sensory craving.

🔹(A) Over-Responsive: These individuals are more sensitive to sensory stimulation than most. They can feel sensations easily and intensely. These children tend to AVOID or minimize sensations, such as covering their ears to loud noises or withdrawing from touch.

🔹(B) Under-Responsive: Individuals who fall in this category are often quiet and passive. Oftentimes, they do not respond to stimuli that are available in their environment. The under-responsiveness to deep pressure and tactile input can result in clumsiness or poor body awareness. These factors may make it difficult to differentiate between hot and cold as well as make them under-responsive to pain if they get injured (which can be a safety concern).

🔹(C) Sensory Craving: These individuals have an almost insatiable desire for sensory input and actively SEEK sensory stimulation. Usually in constant motion, they possess a need to always touch what’s nearby (including people) and often do not understand other people’s personal space. Sometimes, these children may also have an attention deficit issue (such as ADD/ADHD) but this is not always the case. When true sensory seekers attain additional input, it can cause disorganization and does usually not aid in their regulation.

2. Sensory-Based Motor Disorder which includes Postural Disorder and Dyspraxia.

🔹(A) Postural Disorder causes difficulty in stabilizing the body during movement. These individuals often cannot maintain a good sitting or standing position due to poor body control. 🔹(B) Dyspraxia (Motor planning difficulties) gives the individual trouble when planning and carrying out new motor tasks. Forming goals, and ideas and performing a sequence of actions can prove to be difficult. These individuals are generally accident-prone, awkward, and clumsy. Other common characteristics are poor skills in sports, fine motor issues, and breaking toys.

3. Sensory Discrimination Disorder causes difficulties in determining the characteristics of sensory stimuli. This results in a poor ability to interpret or give meaning to stimuli or difficulty detecting similarities and differences among stimuli. These individuals can appear awkward or inattentive to people/objects in their environment. They need extra time to process the different aspects of sensory stimuli.

📝 NOTE: Individuals with SPD may exhibit features across multiple subtypes or may experience sensory challenges that do not neatly fit into a specific subtype listed above.

Sensory Cups… What are they? 🔎

▪️ Most people know of the 5 classic senses but did you know that we actually have 7 sensory systems? They are SMELL, TASTE, HEARING, VISION, TOUCH, BODY AWARENESS and MOVEMENT. ▪️ We all have differently sized sensory cups and they can vary between each one of our sensory systems. In someone who is not affected by a sensory processing difficulty, their cups feel full (but not overflowing) at all times, in all areas.

▪️ The bigger one’s cup, the more sensory input that person needs within that system. If a person has a smaller cup, they can only handle so much before their cup overflows.

👉 For example, if your child has a large cup within their Movement sensory system, they would seek out a lot of movement activities to fill that cup all the way up. They may under-respond to sensory input because they need more of it to feel full within that system.

👉 A small cup within your child’s movement sensory system means their cup can overflow very easily as they only need a little input to fill it up. These individuals are likely to over-respond to input since it doesn’t take much to feel full (or to overflow).

▪️ If a sensory cup does overflow, it can be sensory overload that results in distress and dysregulation for the child.

☝️ Remember that each system has its own cup with its own unique size that needs to feel full.

⚙️ What can a caregiver do?

▪️ There are several strategies and approaches that caregivers should consider to support their child’s sensory needs.

🔸 Educate Yourself. Learn more about sensory processing and SPD. Understanding your child’s sensory challenges can help you better support them and advocate for their needs.

🔸 Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment. Modifications to your home environment to accommodate your child’s sensory needs may involve reducing sensory triggers (noise, bright lights) or providing a space where your child can relax or engage in sensory activities.

🔸 Establish Sensory Routines. Incorporate sensory activities and breaks throughout the day to support regulation and provide sensory input when needed.

🔸 Provide Sensory Tools & Activities. Use tools such as weighted blankets, fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, or textured objects to provide calming or stimulating sensory input. Engage them with activities they enjoy, such as swinging, jumping on a trampoline, playing with sensory materials, or arts and crafts.

🔸 Support Self-Regulation. Teach your child strategies such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or sensory-based calming techniques.

🔸 Collaborate with Schools and Teachers. Work together to implement sensory accommodations in the classroom, such as flexible seating, access to sensory breaks, or preferential seating away from distractions.

🔸 Gradually Practice Sensory Exposure. Introduce your child to new sensory experiences slowly and at their own pace. Start with small steps and provide support as they build tolerance to sensory stimuli that may be challenging for them.

▪️ Consult a Professional. Neuropsychologists as well as Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists are well versed in sensory processing disorders and the issues that can arise because of them.

👩‍💻 Common struggles of those with SPD can include trips to grocery stores, being around crowds of people, frequent meltdowns, grooming habits (hair brushing, teeth brushing, hair cuts), textures of food, using utensils, getting dressed/undressed, wearing socks/shoes or respecting others’ boundaries/personal space. If you think your child may have a sensory processing issue, reaching out to their pediatrician is a good place to start. They can refer you to the right people.

Sensory MYTHS VS. FACTS

👎 Myth: Sensory issues are just a phase that children will outgrow.

👍 Fact: While some children may naturally develop better sensory processing skills over time, for others, sensory issues can persist and may require intervention and support.

👎 Myth: Children with sensory issues are just overly sensitive or picky.

👍 Fact: Sensory issues involve more than just sensitivity. Children can also experience sensory-seeking behaviors or have difficulty integrating and processing sensory input in a balanced way.

👎 Myth: All children with sensory issues have autism.

👍 Fact: Sensory issues can be present in children with autism, but they can also be associated with various conditions or occur in children with no specific diagnosis.

👎 Myth: Sensory issues can be solved by forcing children to tolerate uncomfortable sensations. 👍 Fact: Forcing children to tolerate overwhelming sensory input can lead to increased distress and avoidance behaviors. Gradual exposure and sensory integration strategies are typically more effective approaches.

👎 Myth: Sensory issues are a result of poor parenting or behavior problems.

👍 Fact: Sensory issues are not caused by parenting style or discipline. There are neurological differences in how the brain processes and responds to sensory information.

👎 Myth: Sensory issues can be cured.

👍 Fact: Sensory processing difficulties are a neurological difference and not something that can be “cured.” However, with appropriate support, accommodations, and interventions, children can learn to better regulate their sensory experiences and develop coping strategies.

🙂🔻Examples of Sensory JOYS🔻🙂

🏊‍♀️ Swimming • 🎶 Music • 🌶️ Spicy Foods 🌧️ Sound of Rain • 📖 Smell of New Books 🧸 Texture of a Teddy Bear or 🐕 Pet Fur 🥤 Fizzy Drink • 🧿 Texture of Beads/Marbles 🌬️ Feel of the Wind • ❄️ Feel of Snow 🔥 Watching Fire or 🌃 Watching The Night Sky 🌈 Colors of the Rainbow • 🎢 Rollercoasters 🫧 Bubbles • 🫂 Hugs • ✍️ Drawing 🛼 Roller-skating • 👋 Flappy Hands • 👃 Smells 🔦 Flashlights • 🛌 Comfortable Bedding 🎧 Headphones • 🌳 Sound/Smell of Nature

🙁🔻Examples of Sensory HELL🔻🙁 🧦 Seam lines on Socks • 👕 Clothing Tags 🐑 Texture of Wool • 👚 The Feel of Velvet 🌮 Different Food Textures • 🎨 Some Colors 🔊 Loud Noises • 🐶 Dogs Barking 🌡️ Weather Temperature • ✋ Physical Touch 👁️ Eye Contact • 🪞 Glare/Reflections 🗣️ People Talking • 👂 Certain Sounds 💇‍♀️ Hair Cuts • 🪥 Teeth Brushing • 💡 Lights

🔗 Related Links 🔗

〰️ Quick SPD Facts: https://childmind.org/article/quick-facts-on-sensory-processing/

〰️ More SPD Information: https://familydoctor.org/condition/sensory-processing-disorder-spd/amp/222red