Sensory Processing

Sensory Smart

Sensory processing is how our nervous system takes in and processes information gained through our senses about our environment and within our bodies. When these sensory systems are working well, we interpret the information quickly and accurately and our motor and behavioral responses are efficient and appropriate for the situation at hand. When our sensory processing is not working efficiently, this could be a considered a sensory processing disorder.

Sensory Stimuli

There are different types of sensory stimuli. Each child is unique in what sensory they enjoy, and what sensory they dislike. By understanding sensory processing, and having a variety of sensory activities, it will help improve a child’s performance and behavior!

• Proprioception: The sense of how our bodies are positioned in space, regarding motion, position, and equilibrium.
  • -For most children, proprioception is always the answer to help feel regulated!
• Vestibular: The sense of balance
• Tactile: The sense of touch
• Auditory: The sense of hearing
• Olfactory: The sense of smell
• Gustatory: The sense of taste
• Visual: The sense of vision

There are two basic categories for how a person reacts to a stimulus. They can either be a sensory avoider, or a sensory seeker. Depending on the sensory system, a person can be an avoider for some, and a seeker for others.

Sensory Avoider

These children have a low threshold for sensory input, which means it does not take much to alert them. Sensory avoiders typically are sensitive during sensory input.

Examples of sensory avoiders include the following:

• Picky eater (prefers one texture or basic flavors)
• Covers ears at noise (hates vacuum, blender, hand dryers)
• Avoids touch (not a ‘huggy’ or ‘cuddly’ kid)
• Hates tags/seams in clothing
• Won’t wear shoes (or prefers only one shoe type)
• Avoids messy activities (mud, sand)
• Avoids art activities like painting or playdoh
• Doesn’t engage in playground activities (climbing, swinging, etc)
• Dislikes having people too close
• Complains about smells
• Complain that normal light is too bright (wantings to wear sunglasses)
• Over-responsive to pain (everything hurts!)

Sensory Seeker

These children have a high threshold for sensory input, which means it takes more to alert them. Sensory seekers often have a low registration during sensory input.

Examples of sensory seekers include the following:

• Spinning
• Climbing too high
• Climbing everything
• Crashing into things (people, furniture, walls)
• Mouthing/licking inedible things (furniture, toys, body)
• Chewing inedible things (clothing)
• Eating excessively
• Touching everything
• Playing with food
• Eating messily
• Overstuffing their mouth
• Under-responding to pain (‘shakes it off’ quickly)
• Dumping out toy bins just to look at everything
• Engaging in excessive sensory play (mud, water, soap, etc.)
• Jumping
• Pushing
• Running barefoot
• Not sitting still at their desk
• Falling out of their chair for no apparent reason
• Failing to monitor their own volume (you constantly say, “Stop yelling!”)

Every child benefits from sensory rich experiences to promote good sensory processing skills.

Below are some sensory rich, fun activities by season you can do with your child!

Fall:

• Raking leaves

• Jumping into piles of leaves

• Stacking wood

• Sensory bin with leaves, popcorn kernels, pumpkins, etc...

• Build scarecrows

Winter:

• Build snowmen, snowball fight, angels in the snow, snow painting

• Walk through snow, shovel or sweep snow

• Wrapping presents with foil, tying with ribbons, stickers on presents, finger painting wrapping paper

• Using stamps to make cards, cinnamon decorations, bird feeders,

• Brush snow off the car

• Sledding

Spring:

• Sensory bin with grass, fake flowers, shredded colored paper, etc...

• Plant seeds

• Plant a garden

• Egg hunts

• Make play dough

Summer:

• Water play, swimming

• Shaving cream play

• Sidewalk chalk

• Build sand castles

• Climb a tree

• Squirt bottles

• Trampoline

All year long:

• Ride a tricycle/bicycle

• Pretend animal walks, crab walking

• Use playground equipment

• Heavy work chores such as: sweep/wash floors, move furniture, vacuuming, take out the garbage

• Baking: stirring, scooping, measuring, kneading dough, rolling dough, cutting out cookies with shape cutters, cutting with plastic knives,

• Tactile play: pasta bins, shaving cream on cookie tray, finger painting

• Guess the smell games

• Tactile box: hide objects in a box and identify by touch only

How to make play dough

1 cup flour

1 cup water

2 tsp cream of tartar

1/3 cup salt

1 tbsp of oil

• Put all ingredients into a saucepan and cook over low-medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.

• Roll out onto flat surface and knead until it becomes smooth and non-sticky