"There is an accumulating body of literature describing sensory processing as an important factor in human behavior" -Winnie Dunn

Supporting Children to Participate Successfully in Everyday Life by Using Sensory Processing Knowledge

The illustration above outlines the foundational skills at the bottom of the pyramid, and the skills that are supported by the foundational skills on the tiers above. Once the bottom tiers of the pyramid are adequate, the tiers above can be more efficiently developed. Addressing the skills in this order is known as utilizing the bottom-up approach.

The first and foundational tier is the Central Nervous System which supports the corresponding tiers.

The second tier identifies our children's sensory systems.

The third tier depicts our children's sensory-motor development.

The fourth tier depicts perceptual motor development.

The top and final tier represents cognition intellect.

Behaviors May be an Outward Indicator that the Child Needs Additional Support

What might the child be trying to communicate?

• An inability to communicate their needs in another way

• an inability to complete the requested activity

• overload from the environment, this can include sensory overload

• discomfort in their body that they may not be aware of, or may not be able to communicate

• needing support to regulate (co-regulation)

The Goal is Self Regulation

Self-regulation is a behavioral construct in which people have a passive or active response to a sensory stimuli in order to manage emotional states, thoughts, and behaviors.

Self-regulating strategies assist in promoting regulatory functioning and participation in occupations such as school and play. When a student demonstrates a "flight or fight" or shutdown response with their sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system, they show difficulty with self-regulating.

Intervention to build self-regulation skills is usually multifaceted and individualized. The process may include compensatory sensory strategies or heavy work, focussing on helping the body register, process, and integrate sensory input in an optimal way.

Link to Pupil Observation Checklist