October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month which means it’s a great time for us to share the basics of sensory processing (i.e. how our bodies interpret stimuli)! It’s common for kiddos on the Spectrum to face challenges with sensory processing in one way our another so, we’re here to help you identify signs of sensory processing challenges and offer some strategies to support your child.
Let’s Start With the Basics – What is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing is fancy term to describe how our bodies and brains make sense of the world around us. It’s an essential part of our development, learning, and psychological well-being that helps us understand our environments and develop cognitive and social intelligence.
So how does this affect your child? Sensory processing helps children with some pretty important skills including:
Identifying and managing their emotions
Developing their sense of self
Process challenging experiences
Adapting and transitioning through activities
And more!
When sensory processing is delayed, it can affect your child’s ability to grow in these key developmental areas.
Now, How are Sensory Processing and Autism Tied Together?
Individuals on the Autism Spectrum tend to experience both hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) and hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to a wide range of stimuli. Some have a combination of both because everyone’s brain develops differently. For example, one child on the Spectrum might love the texture of foods like pudding or yogurt, whereas another child might struggle with that particular sensation. As Einstein might say, it’s all relative.
Some examples of examples of sensory processing challenges can include:
Sensitivity to noise levels (often indicated by covering ears in loud environments).
Strong aversion to certain foods because of the texture, taste or smell.
Discomfort from clothing tags or with certain fabrics.
How Can You Support Your Child’s Sensory Processing Needs
As parents, our goal is to create a safe and supportive environment to help our children grow. Here are a few strategies to work with your child’s sensory processing needs.
1. Create an at-home sensory room. This is a safe space for your child to escape from the sometimes overwhelming stimuli they might encounter at home (think a crying sibling or unfamiliar visitors). To create a sensory room, dedicate a small space, like a play tent or home-office, to be the “sensory-friendly zone”. Based on your child’s preferences, you can fill the space with items like soft blankets, noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, sensory vests, etc. Empower them to use this space when they need a break from whatever is triggering sensory overload. (P.S. Stay tuned for additional recommendations in our upcoming post “Creating a Sensory Room at Home”.)
2. Work with your child to establish coping skills (pro-tip, your ABA therapy team can help with this too!). We can’t always avoid the things that trigger sensory processing challenges, but with coping skills and communication, we can help reduce their affects. For example, if your family is attending a birthday party, bring noise cancelling headphones for your child incase other guests get too loud for their liking. This can help avoid or reduce both physical discomfort and emotional stress for your child.
3. Incorporate sensory activities into daily routines. Not all sensory input is bad. There are many sensory experiences that are hugely beneficial for your child. Fidget toys, water tables, slime and music makers are all examples of items that stimulate sensory processing in a positive way!
4. Attend sensory-friendly events. As awareness for Autism and other sensory-processing disorders increases, so do the number of sensory-friendly events. Many venues like libraries, fairs and community centers have dedicated sensory friendly hours for those on the Spectrum. Here, your child can practice their coping skills in a regulated environment and you can connect with other parents working on the same skills with their kids!
Professional Support for Sensory Processing Issues
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy (aka the “gold-standard” in Autism therapy) is a flexible treatment that can be adapted to meet the needs of each person. ABA therapy can help people with sensory challenges in many ways, including:
Sensory integration: ABA therapy can help people process sensory information more effectively. This can lead to improved attention, self-regulation, and participation in daily activities.
Sensory strategies: ABA therapists can identify a person’s sensory sensitivities and preferences, and then incorporate sensory strategies into their interventions. This can include providing sensory-friendly materials, introducing sensory breaks, or modifying the environment.
Coping mechanisms: ABA therapy can help people develop coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult sensory situations.
Self-Awareness: ABA therapy can help people become more aware of their bodies and how they respond to different stimuli.
Impulse Control: Kids on the Spectrum often have challenges managing impulses. In some cases, this can lead to unsafe behavior. ABA can help children learn to pause before doing.
Quality of life: According to a survey conducted by Autism Parent Magazine, around 93% of parents surveyed believed ABA therapy had improved their child’s skill sets leading to a better overall quality of life.
In Conclusion
Understanding sensory processing is critical for supporting your kiddo – whether they are on the Spectrum or not! Using the tips and tricks in this article, we hope to help you notice issues early and take action and help your child navigate sensory challenges.
