Sensory dysfunction in children is increasing in awareness. For a while, sensory was not acknowledged or understood, instead it was seen as behavior problems. There are three types of sensory issues; a chlld can be sensory seeking sensory craving), sensory avoiding (sensory over responsive), sensory challenged ( sensory under responsive) or a combination of all three. You may have heard the term Sensory Processing Disorder ( SPD), however sensory dysfunction does not necessarily mean your child has SPD. Children can have senory issues without having an official diagnosis of SPD, but rather traits of SPD. It can also be a bi-product of another issue or diagnosis your child is dealing with.
Sensory processing refers to the five senses; vision, smell, taste, hearing and touch. There are two sensory systems, vestibular and proprioceptive. The vestibular system is how your body and mind handle movement. A child can either feel overwhelmed by movement or crave it intensely. Some children are sensory avoiders and sensory overload can cause a host of behavior problems in children. Children with vestibular system dysregulation crave movement more than the average child. Some displays of this is spinning, running in circles, jumping excessively. This is done as their body is craving the movement that they so need to regulate. The proprioceptive system is the body’s ability to sense itself and the ability to know where the body is in space. A child can have difficulty understanding boundaries when playing and interacting with other peers. A child can be scattered, clumsy, uncoordinated and sensory seeking due to proprioceptive dysfunction.
Some suggestions which may help behaviors that come with sensory dysfunction:
- Movement! Swings and trampolines are a great option. Swinging is a great sensory activity whether they are sensory seekers or avoiders. For the seekers who crave more movement, spin them while swinging can help.
- Swimming pools are a great resource ( or the beach/lake). They promote a fun, active environment, with pressure from the water helping keep their proprioceptive system in check. Water and swimming has a great calming, therapeutic effect and can also help with speech and sleep.
- “Heavy work” to regulate your child can also help tremendously. Examples of this is having your child (depending on age) load groceries into a cart, push a grocery or play cart with heavy items in it, putting extra books into backpacks and pushing another child on a swing or in a stroller. All these activities need to be monitored closely.
- Kinetic sand is also a great option to regulate sensory needs. Play doh and slime are good activities as well.
- Obstacle courses work wonders. This can be done in your living room and helps with both the vestibular and proprioceptive systems.
Sensory processing issues can display differently from person to person. A person may have different responses, depending on the sensation (ie sensory system). Everyone is affected by sensory input in some manner. For example; suddenly feeling overwhelmed after hearing a loud noise or being in a crowded, busy environment. The average person can have some degree of sensory sensitivity even if they do not realize it. For example; riding roller-coasters, preferences for certain clothing textures, chewing pens while working or during meetings. All these are examples of how the brain is processing sensory input, often without us noticing.
Sensory needs are common and if handled well, behaviors are channeled in a positive direction. If your child is experiencing or having difficulty regulating their sensory input, Occupational Therapists can help you with diagnoses, training and activities to implement at home. Our wonderful team of therapists can help you with this implementation and help with regulation at home, however an OT consult and assessment would be highly recommended before seeking a therapist to help you manage your child’s behaviors at home