Sensory Processing Skills

Sensory processing or sensory integration is the ability to accurately perceive, interpret, and respond to sensory information in our environment. We need these systems to work in a homeostatic way to help us:

1. Make sense of this information around us and help guide our responses
2. Interact with our environment
3. Manage everyday activities

Examples of appropriate sensory integration:

• I am getting ready in the morning and I brush my teeth with new toothpaste. I have never tried this brand before and it is a little more powerful than my last one. I finish brushing and make a mental note that if I still don't like this in a week, I can exchange it for my favorite brand. 

• I am able to sit at my desk and listen to my teacher. I write notes appropriately, ask questions, and clean up scraps around my desk during art class. I am able to wait my turn, walk to my place in line, and walk to the cafeteria to eat lunch without falling, bumping into my classmates, and talking out of turn. 

We all know about our 5 basic senses:

• Sight (Vision)
• Hearing (Auditory)
• Touch (Tactile)
• Taste (Gustatory)
• Smell (Olfactory)

But, did you know that we have 3 others that are not as commonly well known, but are a HUGE part of our world? 

• Proprioception assists with our internal sense of movement, body awareness, and body position. 

• Vestibular is essentially our sense of balance. 

• Interoception helps us feel what is going on inside our body such as: hunger and pain.

Our senses really impact every aspect of our lives. For the majority of us, we are able to "tune out" and adjust to all kinds of things happening around us. Below are just some of the ways our senses influence our day-to-day.

• Daily Living Skills: From dressing and eating to navigating different environments, sensory processing affects how we perform everyday tasks.

• Emotional Regulation: How we respond to sensory input can influence our mood and stress levels, affecting overall emotional well-being.

• Social Interaction: Proper sensory processing helps us respond appropriately to social cues and engage comfortably in various social settings.

• Learning and Development: Sensory processing is essential for cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and learning new skills. 

A sensory difference is when an individual processes sensory information differently than the majority (neurotypicals). If these differences interfere with their everyday life by causing challenges to engage, regulate, and adapt-- then they may have Sensory Processing Disorder. (It should be noted that OT's cannot diagnose.) 

SPD is actually an umbrella for 3 primary areas:

• Sensory Modulation Disorder

                    1. Sensory Over-Responsiveness

                    2. Sensory Under-Responsiveness

                    3. Sensory Seeking

• Sensory Discrimination Disorder

• Sensory-Based Motor Disorder

                    1. Postural Disorder

                    2. Dyspraxia

Examples of a dysregulated sensory system (from above):

• I am getting ready in the morning and I brush my teeth with new toothpaste. I have never tried this brand before, but my mom said the store was all out of my favorite. I do not want to brush with, but she says I have to before I go to school. It is burning and too powerful. I can't finish brushing and I begin to scream. I do not like this taste and I want it out of my mouth. I begin spitting and wiping my mouth on the towels and the wall. I run out of the bathroom to get my water bottle. 

• I have a hard time sitting at my desk and listening to my teacher. I often move in my desk and walk around the class. I have a hard time writing notes while the teacher is talking and I can't seem to write fast enough. I never ask questions because I have no idea where we are at in the story. My teacher gets upset, because my area is always dirty. I don't mean to make a mess. I get so excited for lunch that it is hard to wait my turn. I always try to get in front of my classmates, but sometimes they don't like it when I cut them in line. I bump into my classmates and the wall, and I often get in trouble for talking in the hall. 

The first thing to remember is that every child is different. Some children need less input and some need more. If your child have severe sensory processing difficulties, please contact an OT near you for assistance.

Easy sensory activities for every child:

• Vision
  • Light and shadow play, color sorting, nature sighting, visual sensory bottles

• Auditory
  • Sing along songs, musical instruments, listening games, use of a metronome

• Tactile
  • Sensory bins, messy play, water play, playdough & slime, texture boards

• Gustatory
  • Drinking through a straw, chewy foods, crunchy foods, sour/salty/sweet foods, blind taste tests

• Olfactory
  • Aromatherapy, nature walks, scented playdough/sensory bins

• Proprioception
  • Obstacle courses, yoga/animal walks, theraputty, push/pull activities

• Vestibular
  • Balance beams, jumping, spinning, and any activity that puts the head in a different position

• Interoception
  • Mindfulness, body scans, head/shoulder/knees/toes song game, temperature play, breathing exercises

Occupational Therapists can assist individuals with sensory differences by: 

1. Assessing each of the sensory systems
2. Create a plan for integration
3. Monitor arousal levels