Unpacking Sensory Processing Disorder

If you jump on Google, you’ll soon see that there is a plethora of information regarding all different strategies, ideas and ways to support children with Sensory Processing Disorders, ultimately striving to allow them to process the world around them optimally. 

It’s wonderful that there is so much information out there but often the knowledge provided doesn’t always suit your child’s specific needs. Parents have often expressed these concerns to me when seeking further information, finding that one piece of advice obtained online may relate to their child but the other 10 won’t. This can be a significant challenge with Sensory Processing. It’s important to remember that there is no one single best solution for every child – it’s unique to the individual and their needs. 

Reframe your perspective – Have Fun!

When it comes to dealing with sensory processing disorders, you may have tried numerous strategies that have failed to have a lasting impact and you’re starting to get frustrated – you’re not alone. The first thing I like to remind parents, is that everyone is different and each child has their own unique qualities and quirks meaning their body and mind require different needs. Trial and error with Sensory Processing techniques need to be framed in a fun and enjoyable manner. Parents, carers and teachers may find this challenging but if we can learn to laugh at the teaching moments, it will be an easier and more enjoyable process figuring out what your child needs at that point in time. It’s also important to remember that children are constantly evolving . What may have worked one week ago, may no longer interest or serve purpose to your child. Move intrinsically and pay attention to not only what your child needs but also what they want.

Know your options and do what’s right for you.

Believe it or not, there is more than one aspect to addressing Sensory Processing Disorder. By all means you can do extensive research and find more information. What I am going to detail below won’t cover all bases or avenues – so please keep that in mind and know that there are many other ways to address this issue! 

There are so many avenues of information and some great books with strategies! And better yet, if you’re struggling, contact a local occupational therapist (just like us!) and they will be able to help breakdown different aspects of your child’s needs and give specific strategies to add to your daily tool kit of options. 

Let’s talk about Sensory Defensiveness

Sensory Defensiveness is very unique and not as common as people may think. This process is when you perceive your world in a heightened state and it involves a fight, flight, fright and freeze survival response. It means that the individual is consistently on edge, cannot stand clothing, being touched, the textures of foods, and can additionally have symptoms of hypersensitivity to sounds (constantly covering their ears or beginning to cry when experiencing sounds around them). Sensory defensiveness can also involve extreme aversions to smell. When the body enters this process, individuals more often than not seek to control their environment, interactions, what they do, what they wear, and additionally what they eat. This way they feel as if they can control their inputs, in an attempt to avoid the constant uncomfortable and painful feelings they are experiencing on a day-to-day basis. 

Sensory Modulation Disorder

Sensory Modulation disorder is the most common and also most reported on, as it tends to be the most confusing and overwhelming. Many parents, carers and teachers have trialed a range of different sensory processing strategies to support their children with this disorder and it often hasn’t worked, or it has on one occasion and then stopped – which just outlines the true complexity of the modulating sensory input.

Every child consistently tries to self regulate and calm their body, to problem solve with strategies that feel good and grow through play. However in some children, when this is not occurring optimally different behaviours become apparent. For children with sensory modulation challenges, this is when they have difficulty grading the sensory input coming in, and responding with an appropriate output. This can be seen in their everyday behaviours; playing and assessing risks such as overshooting or undershooting when climbing or kicking a ball. 

For kids with sensory modulation challenges, the more they are fatigued, tired and emotional, the bigger the difficulty in grading their sensory responses. Additionally, as each day is different, their body responds to these sensory inputs differently – resulting in a different response or behavioural reaction to either the same or different sensory input each day! Now imagine how stressful that is for a child. It is equally as frustrating for parents trying to figure out what strategies work in order to feel calm, happy and performing at their best. Though it can be confusing, stressful and overwhelming for everyone, it’s important to remember that trial and error is a part of the process. It won’t always be easy but you and your child will make small improvements as long as you persist and pay attention to their needs.

Sensory Discrimination Disorder

Discrimination means interpreting additional information about an interaction or processing specific qualities of sensory stimuli and attribute meaning towards it. It can be described in many ways but it is more often than not the more intricate details, such as noticing different sounds in an array of competing noises, the ability to process background and foreground noise, identifying an object just by touch, visually identifying different characteristics of letters on a busy page.  Children who have Sensory Discrimination Disorder tend to miss the finer details or have small challenges with their gross and fine motor skills. They may miss some of the nuanced non-verbal and verbal skills required for emotional and social interactions at each age appropriate level. 

Additional to these two disorders, there is also another sensory processing disorder called the Sensory-Based Motor Disorder (SBMD), which we will talk more about in the future and break it down in more detail. 

Living with any of these sensory processing disorders is exhausting, scary and overwhelming for children. It’s important to remember that their expressions through their behaviour are them asking us as adults for help. As children they do not have the cognitive capacity to ask for help specifically in this way. This impacts them in many ways and they find it hard to learn, find joy and happiness in their everyday interactions but with ongoing love and support from their family, support networks and the individual supports and strategies from your OT’s, we can all work together to help our children reach their full potential in life. With the right support they can have independence and enjoy meaningful interactions with others and the world around them.

We are always here to answer any questions you may have! Happy learning and exploring through the senses!

Jess.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2, 2019

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