The Sensory World

Sensory Integration

• Take in information• Process the information• Respond to the information

How our senses work

• Our central nervous system (brain) processes all the sensory information we receive and helps us to organize, prioritize, and understand the information. We then respond through thoughts, feelings, motor responses (behavior), or a combination of these.

Sensory Processing

• We have receptors all over our bodies that pick up sensory information or “stimuli”.

• Our hands and feet contain the most receptors.

• Most of the time we process sensory information automatically without needing to think about it.

Sensory Processing

• People or children with sensory integration difficulties have difficulty with processing or taking in the sensory information.

• People or children who struggle with all of this information can sometimes become stressed or anxious.

• They can also possibly feel pain or may exhibit challenging behavior.

Sensory IntegrationSensory integration should be well integrated by 8-10 years of age.

How do I know if my child is having sensory processing difficulties?

• If your child is exhibiting behaviors or reacting to the extent that it is interfering with every day tasks or events. For example, you can’t give your child a bath or wash their face. You have a difficult time with putting clothes on them.

• Reactions or behaviors are extreme. For example, throwing themselves on the ground, covering their ears and running away.

• If your child is exhibiting the behavior across all settings. For example, covering their ears at a birthday party, at the gym, and when music is played.

• If your child is exhibiting behaviors in more than one area. Has a difficult time with loud noises, seeks all kinds of movement, and doesn’t like it when their hands get messy.

Change in Arousal-Wilbarger Adaptation

Sensory Overload

Optimal level of arousal

Low arousal

Our 7 Senses

7 SensesSightSoundTouchTasteSmellBalance (Vestibular)Body Awareness (Proprioception)

SightOur sight helps us define objects, people, colors, contrast and spatial boundaries.Sight helps us maintain our posture, define boundaries, and watch still or moving objects.

SightHypo (under-sensitive)• Objects appear quite dark, or lose

some of their features.• Central vision is blurred and

peripheral vision is sharp• Central object can be magnified

and peripheral is blurred.• Poor depth perception-problems

with throwing and catching; clumsiness

• Poor visual tracking• Avoids looking at certain objects.

Hyper (over-sensitive)• Objects and bright lights can

appear to jump around.• Images may be incomplete.• Easier to focus on details than

the entire object.• Eyes may tear up or appear

red.• Reacts adversely to bright

light.• Finger flaps in visual field.• Stares at certain objects.

Sound• This sense is the most commonly recognized

form of sensory impairment. Hearing can affect someone’s ability to communicate and possibly also their balance.

SoundHypo(under-responsive)

• May only hear sounds in one ear.

• May not acknowledge particular sounds

• Might enjoy crowded, noisy places or bang doors and objects.

• Difficulty with multi-step skills.

• Makes unusual or loud noises.

Hyper (over-responsive)• Noises can be magnified and

sounds can be distorted and muddled.

• Particularly sensitive to sounds and may hear conversations in the distance.

• Inability to cut out sounds and background noise, which can lead to difficulties concentrating.

Touch• Touch helps us to assess the environment we

are in and we react accordingly. It also allows us to feel pain.

TouchHypo (under responsive)

• Holds others tightly or give hugs.

• Walks with hands on the wall or furniture.

• Enjoys heavy objects on top of them such as blankets.

• Poor localization.• Poor awareness of when nose

or mouth is dirty.• May not know when they have

been hurt.

Hyper (over responsive)• Touch can be painful or

uncomfortable.• Dislikes having anything on hands

or feet.• Difficulty with brushing and

washing their hair because their head is sensitive.

• Only likes certain types of clothing or textures.

• Has a hard time with standing between children in line.

• Picky eater.

TasteReceptors in our mouth tells us about different tastes; sweet, sour, and spicy. Taste is the weakest of the senses. Girls have move taste buds than boys.

TasteHypo (under responsive)• Likes very spicy foods• Eats everything-grass, Play-

dough, non-food objects.• May overstuff mouth.

Hyper (over responsive)• Has a restricted diet. • Some flavors are too strong

or overpowering because of sensitive taste buds.

• Certain textures can cause discomfort.

• Some may only eat smooth foods like mashed potatoes or ice-cream.

Smell• Receptors in our nose tells us about smells in our

immediate environment. Smell is the first sense we rely upon. Girls are more sensitive to smell.

Smell• Some can fail to notice

extreme odors, including own body odor.

• Some people may lick things to get a better sense of what they are.

• Examines items through smelling them.

• Inability to associate odors with memory.

Hyper (over responsive)• Smells can be intense and

overpowering.• Can dislike people with

distinctive perfumes or shampoos.

Hypo (under responsive)

BalanceBalance is situated in the inner ear. This system helps us to maintain our balance and posture. It also helps us understand where and how fast our bodies are moving.

BalanceHypo (under responsive)• May need to rock, swing, or

spin to get inner ear input.• Poor attention to task.• Leans back in chair• Bangs head• Spins self in a circle.• Makes frequent trips

around the room or to the bathroom.

Hyper (over responsive)• Have difficulties with activities

like sports, or where one needs to control their movements.

• Have difficulties with stopping quickly or during an activity.

• May get car sickness.• Have difficulties where the

head is not upright or feet are off the ground.

Body Awareness• This sense is in the muscles and joints. The

system tells us where our bodies are in space and how different our body parts are moving.

Body AwarenessHypo (under responsive)• May stand too close to others

because they can’t judge personal space.

• May have a hard time navigating rooms and avoiding obstructions.

• May bump into people or appear clumsy

• May grind teeth or chew inappropriate items.

• May bang head or overstuff mouth.

• Falls out of chair

Hyper (over responsive)• May have a difficult time

with fine motor skills. For example, manipulating small objects like buttons or shoe laces.

• May move the whole body to look at something.

• Applies too much force on toys or pencils.

Ways to Help

• Small changes to the environment can make a big difference!

• Be Aware: look at the surroundings to see if it is creating difficulties for your child. Can you change it?

• Be Creative: Think of some positive sensory experiences. For example sledding or going to the park.

• Be Prepared: Forewarn your child about the possible sensory stimuli they may experience.

Sight

Hypo (under-sensitive)• Reduce fluorescent lighting-

use deep colored light bulbs instead.

• Wear sunglasses.• Use blackout curtains.

Hyper (over-sensitive)• Increase high contrast.

Sound

Hypo• Use visual support to back

up verbal information.

Hyper• Shut doors and windows to

reduce external sounds.• Prepare your child prior to

going to noisy or crowded places.

• Wear ear plugs.• Listen to music.

Touch

Hypo (under responsive)• Use weighted blankets.• Provide vibrating toys or

massagers.• Provide nontoxic, tot safe

hand fidgets.

Hyper (over responsive)• Warn your child if you or

someone are about to touch them.

• Remember that a hug may be painful rather than comforting.

• Gradually introduce different textures.

• Allow your child to complete or assist in activities themselves. (e.g.. Hair brushing and hands washing)

Taste

• As long as someone eats a bit of a varied diet, being hypo-responsive or hyper-responsive in this area may not necessarily be a problem.

• Consider eating in a quiet place rather than a noisy one. • Gradually vary food temperatures.• Offer assorted dips for finger foods.• Find other times to play with food outside of mealtime (e.g.

pudding or gelatin).• Sneak fruits or vegetables into muffin mixes, pancake batter, or

hamburgers.• Try lots of foods that melt quickly in their mouth such as cheese

curls or puffed cereals.

Smell

Hypo (under responsive)• Use strong smelling

products to distract students from inappropriate smelling.

• Allow your tot to hold a scarf with your cologne.

• While traveling take time to stop and smell different items.

Hyper (over responsive)• Use unscented detergents

or shampoos• Avoid wearing perfume• Make the environment as

fragrance-free as possible.

Balance

Hypo (under responsive)• Encourage rocking, swings,

and seesaws.• Use toys that move or

rotate.• Play jumping or hopping

games.• Bounce on a ball.

Hyper (over responsive)• Break down activities into

small more easily manageable steps.

• Jump on a trampoline• Provide frequent movement

breaks during sedentary activities.

• Dance

Body Awareness

Hypo (under responsive)• Position furniture around

the edge of the room to make navigation easier.

• Use arm’s length rule to judge personal space.

• Carry heavy items (e.g. grocery bags)

• Chewy or crunchy foods.• Draw shapes on child’s back

Hyper (over responsive)• Does fine motor activities

and not gross motor .• Participate in household

chores (e.g. vacuum, dust, carry laundry basket)

References

• Roseann Schaaf, Susanne Smith Roley (2006). Sensory Integration; Applying Clinical Reasoning to Practice with Diverse Populations.

• Diana Henry (2007). Tools for Tots.• The National Autistic Society (2014). The Sensory

World of Autism. www.autism.org.uk• Diane Corson, OTR/L (2009). A Guide to

Implementing Sensory Strategies in the Classroom Setting.