Sensory 101

Sensory processing sounds a bit robotic doesn't it? As if humans have a processor in our head and it's running poorly.

Well it is kind of is like that!

You likely learned in grade school that you experience the world through your senses. Your skin touches, your eyes see, and your ears don't work if your a man.

Kids with sensory processing challenges have lower than normal abilities to process the world around them. This phenomenon can be spoken about through an experiential language or a scientific language. I aim to lay both of those languages out for you clearly today.

Today in a nutshell

1. Sensory systems role

2. The "bucket system"

3. Seekers vs. avoiders

4. What can be done

Sensory systems role

Tactile - The skin and tongue act as barriers from our inside world to the world around us. Pressure and heat receptors work together to perceive pleasure, pain, and body awareness.

Vestibular- The organs of the inner ear orient our other heads location in space. These age quickly which is why many of us can spin so much as a kid then get dizzy doing 4 or so rotations as an adult. The vestibular system is thought to be the "organizer" of the other systems, more on that later.

Auditory - Sound travels through those tunnels you call ears and hit 3 small bones that vibrate a membrane. An electrical signal is sent to the brain and coded based on a series of complicated factors.

Visual- The eyes are considered the second most complex organ and are basically hard wired straight to the brain. Light waves enter the center of your eye. They process via rods and cones that are in a constant recycle and refresh phase to keep your eyes working well.

Moving the eyes is not considered part of "visual processing" but eye control is so closely linked to vestibular control that I argue eye movement should be part of sensory speak.

Gustatory (smell) - A nerve with small hairs drops through the nose boney area of the face to pick up smells as they enter the nose. Smells are thought to link to memory and serve as a way to tell if we should avoid eating something.

Proprioceptive- Every muscle in the body has a set of reflexes built in that sends the following signals up to the brain:

1. What length is this muscle at

2. How much more power can this muscle give

3. Where is this muscle compared to other muscles

Enteroception- The internal organs give signals too and that's why we feel our heart beat or our intestines moving food around.

The bucket system

Each of your 8 sensory systems are trying to remain at a healthy level.

You are one happy camper if you can pull this off.

You know the feeling.. You went on vacation, saw what you wanted, smelled what you wanted, and tasted what you wanted and the world was whole.

Sensory processing challenges are not whole they are hole. As in the persons sensory bucket has trouble reaching it's peak because there is a hole.

The holes in your theoretical sensory bucket can act as this one is. Not allowing full pleasure to be reached.

The holes can also be smaller and located on various spots on the bucket. Can you intuit what I am positing here?

Sensation can be met fully in people who have these sensation buckets. They just require ALOT of water to get them there because it is leaking steadily.

It's about now that you wonder if we can act like billy mays and slap some flex tape on this problem

YES YOU CAN... BUT

Flex tape wears off over time and more tape may need applied. Over time the residue from your tape appears to plug the holes and the hole is brought to a functional level. So far as I can tell though it's never completely gone. Even those of us with robotic levels of sensory processing have some small leakage.

Each of the senses have their own bucket. The vestibular and proprioceptive systems are thought to be the master systems that help the other systems fill up. The visual learning version is:

Well A.I. is trying here but you get the idea.

Working on vestibular and proprioception is the master key to repairing the other sensation buckets and each bucket can be addressed individually. More on this later...

Seekers vs Avoiders

In rare cases, a person has a smaller than average sensory bucket which is easily overfilled. A small bucket child will avoid that sensation because even small amounts is too much!

More practically we see kids who are sensory seekers. They run around seemingly endlessly, jump and crash into objects, and can never seem to move enough. They may want to touch everything and be incredibly messy. Many kids I work with are sensory seeking vestibular and proprioception but sensory avoiding in one of the other fields. For instance: Johnny will run around all day and jumps on my pillows as crash pads. When sat at the table and presented a certain food, he avoids touching it and screams if he does touch it.

What can be done?

Generally speaking there are 3 options available to you as the parent at all times. These options are used together at different times in order to achieve a child who can withstand living in the world.

1. Compensate : putting headphones on a child who has auditory sensitivity, glasses for visual sensitivity, and gloves for tactile sensitivity. My daughter carries a sensory bag with her that has glasses, headphones, and a hat.

   
   

2. Remediate : gradually expose the stimulus that the child is avoiding and be there for them to help with co-regulation. An example: a 3 year old child named tommy is afraid of the vacuum noise. Dad sits on the couch and explains to tommy that mom is going to vacuum now and it's going to be loud. He holds tommy tight and takes deep breaths with the kiddo while making eye contact

   
   

3. Avoid : don't take the child to the environment that sets them off.

A child who over reacts to touch may

• refuse to touch certain materials

• tend to be irritable and prone to tantrums

• complain about cloths/tags

• explore with their mouth rather than their hands

Try this:

• notify the child before you touch them and use firm touch not light touch

• validate your childs perception of the noxious stimuli then help them overcome it through co-regulation, empowering conversation and gradual exposure

• Talk about things as you touch them (be sure to do likes and don't likes)
  

• For clothing: Allow them to wear what they find comfortable even if it means long sleeves in the summer time or socks that are inside out.

A child who over reacts to sound may

• Act out in noisy environments

• withdraw when exposed to loud noises

• cover their ears frequently

• Talk louder than necessary

Try this:

• Do noisy chores away from the child if possible

• Create a quiet comfortable corner to read, color, and play.

• Record the upsetting sound and expose them at a lower volume. Then gradually increase the volume over days/weeks if necessary.

• Use headphones/beanie's in the winter to muffle sound in environments known to trigger the child.

• If the child is going to be in a noxious environment and ear muffs are not around, you have these tools

  • Distract through use of a hard candy, a bracelet, or an activity that requires focus

  • Try deep pressure squeezes

  • Let them know ahead of time that you are entering that environment and you are there to help them

A child who under-reacts to vestibular may

• Be always moving

• Appear clumsy bumping into stuff

• Seek out intensity "the little dare devil"

• Give mom a literal heart attack because they jumped off something unsafe

Try this:

• Maximize their opportunity to move heavy stuff (carrying trash or the groceries, climbing at the park, swimming)

• Offer opportunities for safe movement

• perform bodyweight exercises and crashing into crash pads throughout the day

That crash pad is awesome! We found a free couch and used the cushions and it works just as good. The kids don't know the difference.

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Tips for incorporating sensory play into your child's routine: 1. Observe and Understand: Observe your child's sensory preferences and sensitivities to better understand their needs. Pay attention to what sensory experiences they enjoy or avoid, and tailor sensory play activities accordingly. 2. Start Small: Begin with simple sensory activities and gradually introduce new experiences. Start with familiar textures or objects and gradually introduce new ones to avoid overwhelming your child. 3. Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment: Designate a specific area in your home for sensory play, filled with a variety of sensory toys and objects. Consider factors like lighting, noise levels, and comfort to create a calming and safe space for your child. 4. Follow Your Child's Lead: Let your child take the lead during sensory play. Allow them to explore and engage with the sensory materials at their own pace and in their own way. Remember, every child with autism is unique, and their sensory preferences and needs may vary. It's essential to be patient, flexible, and responsive to your child's individual needs and interests. By incorporating sensory play into their routine, you can support their sensory development and provide them with valuable opportunities for exploration and self-expression.

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