The body’s ability to take in information from the environment through our senses. The input travels to our brain where it is organized so we can respond to it.

• Difficulty in the ability to process and interpret sensory input received through the senses.
• May also be called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

• Tactile: touch input
• Proprioceptive: input taken in by the joints and muscles that tells us our body position
• Vestibular: input regarding balance and movement through space
• Visual: input registered through the eyes
• Auditory: input registered through the ears
• Gustatory—input registered through the mouth
• Interoception- what is happening inside your body (hunger, pain etc.)
• Olfactory- the sense of smell

• Clumsiness
• Difficulty maintaining attention to task
• Unusually high or low energy level
• Social/emotional issues
• Behavioral challenges/”melt downs”
• Impulsivity
• High or low pain tolerances
• Avoidance of activities that children typically enjoy (play in sand)
• Abusive/rough play to self or others
• Unusual eating habits

Many children with SID present with behavioral challenges. The inability to process and organize sensory input can lead to a “fright, flight, or fight” response to specific uncomfortable stimuli. This stimulus may be non-harmful to us but to a child with SID the stimuli may be perceived as painful or overwhelming. The flight or fight response causes the child to either avoid the stimulus or fight in order to get away. The uncertainty of sensory input can lead to a child’s need to control his/her environment. This response may be displayed as a behavioral outburst or “meltdown”.  Structure and schedules can help children can help eliminate some of the uncertainty that leads to behavioral problems.

You may find your child refuses to touch playdough, but loves to swing. A child may crave sensory input in one-sensory system, but avoid it in another. You may also find that some days are better than others. The sensory system is very unique and every child processes sensory stimulation differently.

Occupational Therapy (OT) can provide a child with a specific variety of activities that help the child grow and learn within their environment. OT’s main focus is to determine factors that will allow the child to participate in meaningful daily life activities.

Activities should be recommended and monitored by a licensed therapist and supervised by a parent or caregiver

• Visual schedules – creating a picture schedule creates clear expectations for the day’s activities
• Calming Strategies
  1. Listening to soft music
  2. Slow swinging, rocking, or gliding
  3. Use of a weighted blanket
  4. Warm bath
  5. Gently massaging back/arms/legs with lotion

• Alerting strategies
  1. Sitting on ball to complete task
  2. Fast swinging/jumping/walking/running
  3. Drinking cold water
  4. Riding a bike