Sensory Processing Difficulties In Children
Humans have five primary senses that let us interact with the world around us. These are sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Another two senses that are less commonly referred to are balance and spatial awareness.
Our senses alert us to dangers, let us know if the food we eat to sustain us is safe, and enable us to judge how close we are to our surroundings and to pick items up. They let us know how people around us are feeling, react to what is going on, and learn. Senses also allow us to be aware of some internal sensations and developments, such as movement and pain.
Needless to say, our senses are important. So, what happens when someone has trouble processing them?
Sensory processing difficulties can make day to day life a challenge for a child and their family. Receiving guidance and support from an occupational therapist can be beneficial. At Nest Health Hub, we are experienced and trained in supporting children with sensory processing difficulties and their families.
What Are Sensory Processing Difficulties?
Most people can interpret and process information in a blink of an eye and take for granted how easy and automatic it is. However, for people with sensory processing difficulties, it can be a daily struggle. Misinterpreting sensations means children often respond and behave in a way that is unexpected, confusing, and upsetting for them and the people around them.
Some children with sensory processing difficulties end up avoiding or being excluded from certain activities and situations, have trouble learning and developing movement and cognitive skills, and struggle to socialise and make friends. They are often seen to be uncooperative, disruptive, disengaged, or oversensitive.
What Causes Sensory Processing Difficulties?
The reason is currently unknown, but it is thought to be associated with the stage of the interpreting process that involves the brain. This could be a congenital issue, and it often runs in families. It can also affect people who have experienced trauma or abuse. Further research is required to completely understand the origins of sensory processing difficulties.
Types Of Sensory Processing Difficulties
These challenges present differently for everyone. Some children may be oversensitive, also known as hypersensitive, or undersensitive, also known as hyposensitive.
Oversensitivity/Hypersensitivity
Children whose sensory processing difficulties fall into the oversensitive category can experience difficulties with the following events, situations, or items:
Sight:
Things that have a lot of details, such as picture books, busy rooms, and faces.
Bright lights and sunshine.
Colourful items, locations, and foods.
Sound:
Noisy, busy, and unpredictable situations, such as playgrounds and shopping centres.
Loud machines and appliances, such as trucks and food blenders.
Animals and people, such as barking dogs and children calling out in the classroom.
Touch:
Certain textures, such as playdough and paint.
Everyday objects, such as seams in clothing and various foods.
Smell:
Strong smells, such as curries and perfumes.
Taste:
Highly flavoured or complex foods, such as lollies and certain cheeses.
Balance, spatial awareness, and internal sensations:
Pools, showers, and baths.
Play equipment and rides, such as swings and merry-go-rounds.
Transport, such as cars and trains.
Injuries, such as cuts.
Varying temperatures.
Excreting bodily fluids and waste, such as urine and sweat.
Undersensitive/hyposensitive
Children whose sensory processing difficulties fall into the undersensitive category can experience and respond to events, situations, or items in range of ways:
Sight
Changes on a person, such as new glasses, may go unnoticed.
Lights are turned on and off repetitively for enjoyment or out of interest.
Sound
Alarms, such as the school bell, may go unnoticed.
Electronics, such as televisions and radios, are turned up loud.
Touch
Being touched by someone or an object out of sight may go unnoticed.
Objects are fidgeted with.
Objects are easily dropped.
Smell
Strong smells, like spices, are appealing.
Taste
Strong tastes, like salt and lemons, are appealing.
Balance, spatial awareness, and internal sensations:
Movement is constantly made.
Fast and busy activities, such as jumping castles, are enjoyed.
Pain goes seemingly unnoticed or ignored.
How Can Occupational Therapy Help?
Occupation therapy in Newcastle involves a vast array of techniques and methods that can assist children with sensory processing difficulties. We will undertake a comprehensive assessment and identify the specific challenges your child is facing and how these affect their functioning and abilities.
Our approach involves creating activities and strategies related to your child’s specific challenges. These help your child engage in sensory situations and to learn to problem solve, manage their responses, and interpret information their senses perceive in a more organised and less distressing manner. This process takes time, so it is important to be patient, implement the strategies we provide, and give us feedback and updates about how your child is going at home and school in between sessions.
Our Occupational Therapists Can Support You And Your Child
At Nest Health Hub, we are passionate about getting to know your child and creating a relationship based on trust as we work together in our safe and caring environment. We will identify and develop goals and targets, which is important for you, your child, and their therapists, so we all know what outcomes we are aiming for.
Contact us to book an appointment so that we can provide a comprehensive assessment and begin helping you and your child.
