We all take in the world using our different senses, through sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and various parts of our nervous system! Oftentimes, these senses can become heightened and disrupt our body or brain from activities and daily routines. How we process these sensations can affect our mood, energy, responsiveness, attention, and behavior. Here are some sensory processing differences your child may experience and that you may even notice for yourself!
Touch (Tactile):
Hyper/hypo-sensitive to different textures (e.g., soft, wet, slimy, sticky, smooth, bumpy)
Preferring particular clothing, avoiding tags that poke them, always wanting to hold something soft like a blanket
See (Visual):
Preferring or avoiding colorful or bright lights
Watching toys, wheels, or fans spinning
Dumping or throwing items to watch them fall
Hear (Auditory):
Covering his/her ears, avoiding loud sounds or music
Preferring loud sounds or music (e.g., dumping/crashing sounds of objects)
Taste (Gustatory):
Avoiding or having aversive reactions (e.g., turning away, pushing away foods, gagging at the sight/smell/taste of foods) to certain tastes, textures, or presentations of foods
Hyper/hypo-sensitive to different tastes/textures/presentations
Putting non-food items in mouth or licking to feel or taste object
Smell (Olfactory):
Hyper/hypo-sensitive to different smells (e.g., perfume, cleaning products, foods, strong odors)
Proprioceptive & Vestibular (Movement):
Enjoying jumping, climbing, carrying heavy objects, deep pressure (e.g., hugs, arm squeezes), swinging, spinning, rocking
Everyone responds differently to sensory information. Some have high thresholds (slow to detect the sensory input) and some have low thresholds (quick to detect the sensory input). Managing sensory stimuli also varies from person to person. Learning about your child’s sensory processing greatly helps with supporting their participation, engagement, and communication! Chat with an SLP knowledgeable about sensory processing as it relates to communication if you have questions or concerns!
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