Sensory Processing
Children with sensory processing issues often get labelled as difficult or poorly behaved. Their reaction to things can be confusing. Kids may be highly sensitive to the way clothing fits or complain about noise. They may have big reactions to simple tasks such as bathing and getting their face wet. These behaviours happen because the child is having trouble processing the incoming stimulation from the environment. The result of having sensory processing issues is stress behaviour; the brain is stressed by environmental signals, and so it shuts down, and that may look like angry outbursts, crying or running away.
Some signs of sensory processing issues:
- Discomfort with clothing tags, fabrics, or textures
- Fear of unexpected touch
- Overwhelmed by loud noises (vacuum, toilets) or bright lights
- Gagging on certain food textures
- Fear of playground equipment (swings, slides)
- Poor balance
- Constantly moving, jumping, spinning, or crashing into things
In addition to the 5 senses, two internal senses help humans navigate the world around them. These internal senses are like a radar to help us know where our body is in relation to the environment. When these systems are balanced, children can tolerate changes in the environment, they can ‘go with the flow’ of ill-fitting socks or deal with loud noises or manage a chaotic birthday party. When the systems are not in balance, children may seem clumsy or uncoordinated. It is because their brains are struggling to figure out their place in relation to their surroundings.
Hyposensitive kids need more stimulation. These kids are the ones who like to sit close to another person; they enjoy wrestling and pushing up against furniture or people. They may enjoy loud music or playing intense video games. In contrast, hypersensitive kids have trouble with too much stimulation; they want to retreat, and they are easily overwhelmed, especially in chaotic environments, such as a party or noisy classroom.
