Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD) - SMD is when a person has difficulties regulating, or modulating, sensory input. As seen in the chart above, there are 3 subtypes of SMD.

• The first is sensory Over-Responsivity or sensory avoiding. When someone is sensory over-responsive they have an exaggerated response to inputs that the average person finds tolerable. This can be seen in different ways such as being overly sensitive to clothing tags or gagging when eating seemingly normal foods. In the most basic way, SMD is when a person is easily overwhelmed by sensory input.

• The second subtype is Under-Responsivity. This is often seen as extreme passiveness. This occurs when someone is unaware, slower in response, or less intense in their reactions to sensory input. This can be seen as daydreaming, preferring to be alone, or disinterested. If the task doesn't provide sensory input it may be thought to be not worth the time or effort.

• Lastly, there is Sensory Craving or seeking. When someone is in this category, they need intense sensory experiences to register the sensation. This is often seen as crashing, constant movement, and always touching. Some examples of this are impulsive and risk-taking, being unaware of injuries, or lack of personal space.

Sensory-based Motor Disorder (SBMD) - SBMD occurs when motor development is interrupted due to sensory processing. As a child grows and develops, they use their senses to improve their skills, especially with balance, coordination, and familiar actions. This can have long-term impacts on important things such as posture, praxis (how we interact with our environment), and coordination. There are 2 sub-types of SBMD.

• Dyspraxia, which is difficulty with praxis including thinking about an action, thinking about how to complete an action, and actually completing the action.

• Postural Disorder, which is difficulty subconsciously maintaining our posture.

Sensory Discrimination Disorder (SDD) - Sensory discrimination is how we filter and categorize sensory input. It helps us to identify and understand the sensation. SDD occurs when there is difficulty with this task. This can be seen when someone is unable to prioritize sensations or misses sensations completely. SDD can impact all 8 of our senses in different ways. A good visual of this is a clogged funnel. As the funnel fills up with sensations, only a few actually make it through which can make it hard to understand the information that we are receiving.

Occupations are the activities in life that are purposeful, meaningful, and important. These can include a wide variety of things but this will focus on the main occupations of children which include play, social participation, activities of daily living (ADLs), and education.

0-2

• Play - Exploratory play (exploring different objects or movements), focused on attachment and bonding with parents/caregivers, Functional play (the objects function is understood), Pretend play (pretends that objects are real)

• Social Participation - interaction with the environment, building trust with those close to them, tend to watch others rather than actually interact with them

2-5

• Play - Continued Pretend play, Constructive play (building or creating things), Physical play ("rough-and-tumble" or movement-oriented), Parallel play (playing next to others)

• Social Participation - Plays with others, sharing, taking turns, begins making friends (typically same-sex), still shy with strangers

• ADLs - Help put on clothing, learning to brush teeth, using the toilet, feeding themselves

• Education - Circle time, singing songs, learning to write

6-12

• Play - Games with rules (cards, sports, etc.), crafts, hobbies

• Social Participation - Consistent friends/friend groups, play with peers, Cooperative play (working together towards a common goal)

• ADLs - Dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, obtaining food, feeding themselves

• Education - sitting at desk, working with others, working on their own, problem-solving

While your child is getting dressed in the morning, they have a meltdown and won’t put on their shirt because the tag is itchy – Sensory Over-Responsive

While your child is playing outside, they trip and fall which scrapes their knee. The continue to play without noticing – Sensory Under-Responsive

While out shopping at the store, they have to touch everything and often crash into the aisles or other people – Sensory Craving

While at eating lunch, they have difficulty figuring out how to scoop up their food and often miss their mouth - Dyspraxia

While at school, they fall over or lose their balance often – Postural Disorder

While playing tag, they often “tag” their friends too hard

or While paying for something at the store, they have difficulty telling the difference between a dime and a quarter in their pocket - Sensory Discrimination Disorder

When your child has trouble processing their sensory needs, they likely will also have trouble participating in their occupations due to negative behaviors. When they don't participate in their occupations, they won't learn and grow. This will then lead to their futures being impacted. It is important to help them participate in these occupations as best as possible to allow them to flourish and be as independent as possible.