Apr 08 , 2023
What are Sensory Needs?
Children frequently struggle with sensory processing issues. They may lead to an increase in sensitivity to sounds, touches, and tastes. Extreme reactions to some things can result from heightened sensitivity that other people wouldn't experience.
For instance, not liking clothes, hearing clocks tick, or having a very limited diet.
Here, we'll look at the fundamentals of the sensory processing problems / disorders that manifest in many forms of sensory processing disorders in kids.
These include sensory hypersensitivity to light or sound, auditory hypersensitivity, and tactile hypersensitivity.
One of these sensory impairments, or a combination of them, may affect certain kids.
What are Children's Sensory Processing Issues?
Children frequently experience problems with their sensory processing, so it's vital to understand the various kinds of sensory processing disorders that might develop.
A neurological condition known as sensory processing disorder affects how a person interprets information from one or more of their senses. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can both cause and be a symptom of sensory processing abnormalities. (ADHD).
How Can a Sensory Processing Disorder in a Child Be Recognized?
Testing and experimenting with various forms of sensory stimulation as well as careful observation of a child's behavior over time are all necessary steps in determining whether they have sensory processing disorders. The idea of sensory processing is challenging to understand. It's crucial to have some knowledge of sensory disorders and how they could affect learning and development for those of us who work with or have children.
The sort of sensory processing disorder a person has will determine how severe their problems are and how they are diagnosed.
Testing utilizing certain sensory tasks is one technique to find children with sensory processing issues.
Multi-Sensory World is a company that considers and offers items that center on the seven senses of touch, movement, smell, taste, sight, hearing, and balance.
What kinds of things exhibit sensory processing sensitivity?
We have dealt with a variety of sensory concerns with our two autistic sons, including:
- The fabric of garments, which can be unpleasant, uncomfortable, and scratchy. even materials with a pleasant touch might be too abrasive when pressed up against flesh.
- Frequently throw up after consuming food with an unexpectedly odd texture
- When there are excessively loud or brilliant lights
- Have an awkward or unsteady gait
- Unresponsive to touching, loud noises, rapid movements, or bright lights. This may cause meltdowns as a result of sensory overload.
Disorders of Sensory Processing and Their Effects (SPD)
The disease known as sensory processing disorders (SPD), also known as sensory integration dysfunction (SID), makes it difficult for a person to process and react to their senses.
A range of neurological diseases known as SPDs cause varying degrees of heightened or diminished sensitivity to sight, taste, touch, hearing, and smell.
There may be issues with daily activities if these senses are either overly sensitive or undersensitive.
What Effect Do Sensory Needs Have on Infant/Toddler Development?
The term "sensory needs" is broad and covers a wide range of disorders that affect a child's development, including distinct physical, social, and developmental difficulties.
These sensory requirements have a variety of effects on growth, including delays in speech, language, motor skills, self-care, and adaptive abilities. Additionally, they may trigger anxiety or sadness. Because of this, we want more individuals to realize the significance of sensory demands and services.
All children need sensory stimulation since, if it isn't provided, it can hinder development and learning.
For kids with conditions including autism, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and many others, it's crucial to pay attention to their sensory demands.
Insufficient or excessive stimulation? What type of hypersensitivity do we have here?
The sensory world is much more complicated than this, despite the fact that we frequently think of sensory difficulties as either over- or under-stimulation. It also has to do with how each person interprets sensory data, which varies on a variety of elements, such as how stressed out they are that particular day or hour.
The physical world is dynamic. It is intricate and unique. It doesn't follow that everyone will feel the same way about a certain fabric just because one person can't bear the way it feels. Similar to how not everyone like the sensation of sandpaper on their skin, not everyone enjoys playing with silk. Every person is unique.
Sensory processing issues can alter how a person perceives the sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of their environment. For instance, a toddler may experience sensory overload if they are in a new area with a lot of stimulus.
Their responses, however, can be as varied, ranging from exhibiting high levels of agitation and anxiety to becoming silent, non-communicative, introverted, and timid. Some kids have even learned to disguise their emotions more.
Can sensory toys help with sensory processing disorders and hypersensitivity?
Simply put, in our experience, the answer is absolutely YES!
We don't care what you call them; the results and children feeling more in control of their behavior are what matter. You can call them sensory toys, sensory tools, or sensory aids.
Toys can be an excellent coping mechanism for hypersensitive children. Kids might be diverted from their sensitivity by sensory toys, which also stimulate their senses. While there are many other toy categories that may be useful, those that offer both high and low stimulation may be the best for people with sensory processing disorders.
Kids can use items and toys to enhance their sensory processing with a little assistance. This is especially true of toys, which provide input in a number of ways through the visual, tactile, and auditory senses.
While there are many various toys available, it's crucial to try with them and, if at all possible, involve the child. Also, keep in mind the child's age and sensory needs.
Give them some control in a world where they already feel quite out of control by stimulating other senses if they are not interested in wearing a Chew necklace.
