Sensory Processing
Our senses give us information about the world around and within us. They help keep us aware of what is going on and help our bodies decide what to do about it.
Our sensory system is a gift that can share with us the sweetness of a strawberry, the beauty of a colorful butterfly, the sound of someone calling our name, and the warm and comfortable feeling of a hug from a loved one.
Our sensory system can also let in potentially distressing sensations, such as sour taste of a fresh lemon, the flashing of a strobe light, the screeching sound of tires and the scratchiness of a wool sweater on our skin.
Below are some of the sensory experiences a child may experience in a typical school day. These sources of sensory input may be pleasurable, noxious, or innocuous, depending on the person who is experiencing them.
**Classmates' conversations at various volume levels
**Chalk being screeched across a blackboard
**Birds chirping outside of the classroom
**Music quietly playing on the CD player
**The smell of dry erase markers
**A student's tuna fish sandwich at lunch
**A bouquet of flowers
**The texture of finger paint
**The itchy tag on a new shirt
**The temperature of water in the sink or drinking fountain
**Sand or rice in a sensory table
**Florescent lights in the classroom
**The color of paper the assignments are printed on
**The glare on the white board
**The conglomeration of letters in a word search
**The bumping of a school bus
**The warmth and cushioning of a beanbag chair
**The thrill of going high on a swing
**The challenge of going up and down stairs with an armload of books
**The rumble of a very hungry stomach
All of these sensory experiences may illicit a variety of reactions, depending on the child and the functioning of his sensory system. In addition, sensory experiences can be cumulative and build on each other. A child may not typically be bothered by florescent lights, but if the lights are on, and there are several other forms of sensory input that are challenging his system, on any given day the lights may be too much. This is true for all children and adults if just the right (or wrong) mix of sensations are experienced. However, it is especially true for children and adults whose sensory systems are not as resilient and adaptable.
Here is a very helpful link with a checklist of signs and symptoms of SPD in children:
A Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a significant functional deficit in at least one (but maybe all) of these areas:
*the ability to take in internal and/or external sensory information *the ability to process sensory information
*the ability to plan and organize what needs to be done based on the sensory information received.
Treatment for SPD can include a variety of activities to help the child tolerate, process and appropriately act on sensory input. In addition, a sensory diet can be developed to help a child tolerate an environment that might otherwise be too overwhelming. Just as important as these two components of SPD treatment is the education the child, the parents and the school team. My goal is for the child to have a good understanding of his sensory issues and to be able to advocate for himself.