Decoding Sensory Processing: A Parent's Guide
Welcome parents and guardians to the Koi Wellness blog, your trusted resource for child development and empowerment content. I'm Aya Porté, your occupational therapist (OT) based in Tokyo, with a passion for nurturing children's potential and supporting their families. Together we’ll unlock the unique strengths within your child and foster their growth.
I bet many of you can relate to those moments where you find yourself in a bit of a tailspin, wondering why your child seems to be on a mission to test every limit and push every button. You know the ones—the tantrums in the supermarket, the meltdowns at family gatherings, or the epic battles over seemingly simple tasks at home.
It's tough, isn't it? But what if I told you that beneath all those "bad behaviors" lies a world of sensory processing challenges just waiting to be understood?
Let's dive in and unpack this together.
Sensory Processing: The Gateway to Understanding
First things first, let's get clear on what we mean by sensory processing. Picture your child's body as a finely tuned machine, constantly taking in information from the world around them through their senses. We're talking about sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—but there's more to it than that. We've got three lesser-known senses in the mix too:
Proprioception: This sense tells us where our body parts are and how they're moving. (Think body awareness!)
Vestibular: This one's all about balance and understanding our body's position in space. (Where's my head in relation to my body?)
Interoception: Ever get a sudden urge for a snack or realize you're feeling a bit too warm? That's your body's internal sensing system at work. (Think hunger, thirst, fatigue.)
Now that we've got the basics down, let's explore some common signs your child might be experiencing sensory challenges and how they might show up:
Sensory Modulation:
How your brain and central nervous system regulate the incoming sensory input. More simply put, how the brain controls the message it gets from our senses. This “regulation” has 3 components
What is the stimulus (one or a combination of the 8 senses)
Interpret the situations surrounding the stimulus (how intense is the input, where am I in relationship to this input, how am I feeling before, during and after this input)
What is my ability to respond to the input
Sensory Modulation Challenges
Lets move away from the medical terminology and the labeling for now, and talk in general about modulation difficulties. They commonly look like:
Difficulty regulating responses to sensory input:
No Challenge: Example, my hands are dirty, in order to regulate myself, I will wash my hands.
Modulation challenge–my hands are dirty and this may be the end of the world, I don’t know what to do, so I will cry for help to let people know this is a 119/911 emergency!
Difficulty achieving and maintaining an optimal range of arousal and adapting to challenges in daily life
My hands feel constantly dirty, even though my parents have told me they are clean, it’s not quite the end of the world, but I am VERY STRESSED over this. Regardless of facts
When kids have difficulty with modulating sensory input, it manifests in one or a combination of the following:
Sensory Over-Responsiveness
Kids who are hypersensitive might find certain sensory experiences overwhelming, leading to reactions like covering their ears at loud noises or avoiding certain textures in their clothes.
Sensory Under-Responsiveness
On the flip side, children who are hyposensitive might seek out intense sensory experiences, like constantly touching things or craving fast, spinning movements.
Sensory Craving
Sensory Motor Challenges
These children might struggle with balance, coordination, and fine motor tasks like buttoning clothes or using utensils.
Sensory Discrimination Issues
Trouble distinguishing between similar sounds or letters? That could be a sign of sensory discrimination issues, which can impact learning and communication.
All these sensory challenges can manifest in some pretty unexpected ways, from extreme behaviors like tantrums to difficulties with transitions or changes in routine. But here's the thing—it's not about "bad behavior." It's about your child's way of communicating their needs and managing the world around them.
Navigating the Sensory Maze: Where to Start
So, what's a parent to do? First off, take a deep breath. You're not alone in this journey. Next, try taking a step back and asking yourself what might be causing your child distress in their environment. Is it too loud, too busy, too crowded?
Remember, every child is unique, and not all quirks or preferences indicate a sensory processing issue. But if your child's struggles persist and significantly impact their daily life, it might be worth reaching out to a pediatrician or occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing.
Final Thoughts: You've Got This!
Parenting a neurodivergent child comes with its own set of challenges, but it also brings endless opportunities for growth, learning, and connection. So, the next time you find yourself knee-deep in a power struggle or wondering what's behind your child's "bad behavior," take a moment to pause, breathe, and remember: understanding is the key to unlocking their world.
To make it easier to decode sensory processing, I’ve created this free Sensory Processing Checklist just for you. Early intervention can make a world of difference, providing strategies and support to help your child navigate their sensory challenges and thrive in all areas of life.
If you want to learn more about how I can support you and your child, you can schedule a call here and connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Let's continue to positively impact the lives of our children and families together.