Sensory Processing Disorder
WHAT IS SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER?
Kids with sensory processing issues behave in ways that their parents often find confusing. They might react strongly to loud noises or bright lights or complain that their clothes are uncomfortable. They may be clumsy or have trouble with fine motor skills like fastening buttons. Some kids show extreme behaviours like screaming when their face gets wet.
These behaviours happen because the child is having trouble processing the information they receive from their senses. Hyposensitive kids need more sensory stimulation. They often love to move around and crash into things. Hypersensitive kids avoid strong sensory stimulation and get overwhelmed easily. Some children have a combination of hypo and hypersensitive.
All children with sensory processing difficulties struggle with processing and responding to sensory information from the environment. Common signs and symptoms can vary widely per individual.
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFICULTIES?
Children with sensory processing difficulties may display overreactive or underreactive responses to sensory input, leading to behaviors such as sensory seeking or sensory avoidance. Other signs may include difficulty with coordination and motor skills, frequent meltdowns or tantrums, poor attention and concentration, and challenges with social interaction or emotional regulation. It's important to note that symptoms can differ from person to person and may change over time.
Common Symptoms for children may include the following:
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Extreme responses to sensory stimuli like loud noises, bright lights, and strong smells.
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Children may be overly anxious or fearful and avoid certain loud and busy environments.
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showing low or high pain tolerance.
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difficulty sleeping.
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Some children seek excessive sensory input, engaging in repetitive behaviors and craving intense sensations.
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Seek out climbing, running, jumping and rough type of play.
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They may be impulsive.
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Are easily distracted.
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Picky eaters and avoid certain food textures.
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Do not like it when their hands or face get wet or dirty.
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Struggle to have hair washed, cut or brushed.
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Do not like certain clothing or only wear certain types of clothing.
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Seem clumsy and bump into things often.
A comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist, can help diagnose sensory processing difficulties and develop appropriate strategies to support individuals with sensory processing difficulties.
