How To Understand The Sensory World Of My Child

We all experience our world through our senses. That is: our eye’s (vision), ears(auditory), skin (touch), nose (olfaction) and mouth/tongue (taste) all receive information that we need for life. We also have the sense of movement (vestibular system) and the positional sense (proprioception). So our senses are “integrated” as we take in information through our senses and then combine the resulting ‘perceptions’ with our memories, information and knowledge that is stored in our brain – this results in a coherent meaning, that is gained from processing the environment. So depending on your child’s age, and stage of development, they will have different experiences and abilities.

When everything is working well and things are ok – our child can investigate and appreciate our world. Communication and social interaction goes smoothly, most of the time. When things are not working so well, if there is sensitivity with the senses, or something missing….then things can be so challenging – children get distressed, the adults are confused and distressed and this impacts on relationships and on the child’s daily functioning.

Maybe you have noticed that your child is sensitive to noises. You have difficulty taking your child to the shops or school with you. Maybe your child is particularly irritated by the clothing, in particular the labels or the material. Perhaps the school teacher has noticed your child is not coping and often has outbursts and meltdowns.

Things get challenging for parents when a child has difficulty coping with various aspects of our world. Some children find clothing challenging, others find shopping or busy places challenging. Sensory Integration is the term that is used by professionals to describe how the brain uses our senses and then organises information that is received.

There is an excellent interview online at www.spdaustralia.com.au which outlines some of the technicalities of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). In this condition, the sensory signals don’t get recognised and organised. The brain has difficulty receiving and responding to the information that is coming in through the senses. This Disorder has also been known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction. So there are 3 types of sensory integration and therefore the Disorder itself is described in terms of what aspects are difficult for that child or individual.

These are:

Sensory Modulation Disorder – difficulty with turning sensory messages into controlled behaviours that match the nature and intensity of the sensory information.
Sensory-Based Motor Disorderinvolves difficulty with stabilising, moving or planning a series of movements in response to sensory demands.
Sensory Discrimination Disorderis a difficulty with sensing similarities and differences between sensations.

Other authors have distinguished between SPD and the sensitivity component (referred to as SPS – Sensory Processing Sensitivity). This has been described as a neutral trait where the individual has a sensory sensitivity and the physiological “survival strategy” is to be more aware of the environment in some way. This ability to process information in more detail can lead to over stimulation and sensory overload. Which is where the challenges start…..and create cascading effects on the individuals ability to manage their emotions.

Children who experience difficulties with their senses can get support from a Paediatrician, OT and Psychologist.
Many parents assist their child with the management of their sensory world by being aware of their triggers and limiting high stimulation situations. Eg keeping away from busy shopping centres and loud birthday parties. Its important to liaise with others in the child’s life about what is challenging and what works for your child.
An OT (Occupational Therapist) can assist with assessing your child and developing their sensory profile. This involves consideration of various sensory aspects utilised in a formal assessment (Sensory Profile by Winnie Dunn)- sensory processing: auditory processing, visual processing, vestibular processing, touch processing, and multi-sensory processing, oral processing.
Treatment can then progress to assisting the child to experience sensations in a playful way. Other treatments may involve techniques that assist in calming the body in different ways.

So, understanding the sensory world of your child can be fun and it can be challenging – ultimately working together with a team of professionals can assist your child if it is the challenging situation.

Books and tools

The Scared Gang- http://www.sensoryattachmentintervention.com/Scared-Gang
Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome by Olga Bogdashina

Jay Anderson is a Psychologist and Counsellor in South west WA. She specialises in providing therapy to children and their families. Check out www.mychildmyfamily.com.au