Occupational Therapy: Sensory Success

Kids who have sensory processing issues may seem misbehaved, dramatic, or behave in ways that seem abnormal. Bright lights, loud noises, or other changes in their senses can overwhelm them, resulting in tantrums or children trying to escape from the situation. This is because they're having trouble processing information they're receiving from their senses. The five senses, touch, hearing, taste, sight, and smell are included, as well as inner senses that tell a child information about their body. 

Hypersensitive vs. Hyposensitive

Sensory processing issues will look different for every child. Some children are hypersensitive, meaning they get overwhelmed easily. Other children are hyposensitive, meaning they'll run into things or participate in extreme situations without reacting. Both children can benefit from sensory integration through occupational therapy.

Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder

Children who have sensory issues are sometimes automatically considered to have autism. The majority of children who have autism also experience sensory processing issues, but not all children who have sensory processing issues have autism. Children may have sensory issues accompanied by ADHD, OCD, and developmental delays.

If you're wondering if your child has a sensory processing disorder, print out this checklist and compare it to your child's behavior. 

Sensory Processing Issues and Occupational Therapy

Children with sensory processing issues are often referred to occupational therapists for "sensory integration." Occupational therapists work with the children to help them learn how to become more comfortable in situations that would otherwise overwhelm them.

Occupatinal therapy will often happen in a sensory room or sensory gym, where they are placed in different situations to help them process what their senses are experiencing. This may deal with different textures, activities, lights, sounds, and more. The end goal is to help your child cope with and become comfortable in the situations that otherwise overwhelm them.

Your child's occupational therapist might also suggest some changes or activities to make at home to make their therapy process the most effective. 

If you think your child might have sensory issues, you should visit your pediatrician. Your pediatrician will be able to take the right steps to diagnose your child to ensure they get the right help that they need for a disorder that they might have. 

If you know your child has a sensory processing issue and you're looking for an occupationa ltherapist, give us a call! 

Pediatric of Cordele: 229.207.4004

Fyzical Tifton: 229.445.3255

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Sources:

https://childmind.org/article/treating-sensory-processing-issues/

https://childmind.org/article/sensory-processing-issues-explained/