WHY IT MATTERS

Sensory processing is essential to navigating the world and participating in daily life. The brain's ability to effectively process sensory input enables individuals to respond appropriately to their environment, regulate their emotions, and perform tasks like dressing, eating, learning, and socializing. For children, sensory processing is crucial for development, as it supports motor skills, cognitive functions, and social interactions.

Sensory regulation occurs when we are able to select and process sensory input in a way that still allows us to plan and follow through with appropriate behaviors. Most people know about the 5 basic senses visual (sight), auditory (sound), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and tactile (touch). However, there are actually 8 with vestibular (sense of balance and where our head is in space), proprioceptive (sense of the position and movement of the body), and interoception (sense of internal body signals). A disruption of any of these senses affects how children and adults are able to go about their daily activities.

Children with sensory regulation challenges may become easily overwhelmed, distracted, or distressed by sensory stimuli such as noises, textures, or lights, which can disrupt their ability to engage in activities like learning, playing, and self-care. For those who experience sensory overload, their body will rely on the brain's input telling it there is too much going on rather than being able to sort through the sensory input functionally. Occupational therapists use and teach strategies that enhances children’s overall quality of life by enabling them to interact with their surroundings in a more adaptive and functional way.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• Sensitivities to smells, sounds, lights, textures, temperatures, clothing

• Being constantly on the move

• Always changing how they are sitting

• Standing at tables instead of sitting

• Difficulty identifying body signals

• Difficulty recognizing when they need to use the bathroom