How to Help a Child With Sensory Processing Disorder

Children with sensory processing disorders perceive the world differently from their parents, siblings and caretakers. Yet many adults have never been introduced to the ways that sensory disorders in children can affect their everyday lives.

This guide will help you gain a better understanding of what sensory disorders are, as well as how they can be diagnosed and treated by introducing your child to therapy. You’ll also learn more about ways to recognize symptoms at home, so you can encourage and support a child with a sensory disorder.

What Are the Eight Human Senses?

Many of us were taught that we have five senses. In reality, there are eight that help us navigate our world internally and externally.

Smell

If you’ve ever been offended by a strong smell, you know how annoying and frustrating it can feel. For a child who has sensory processing disorder, even weak smells can be overwhelming. Alternatively, a child who doesn’t process smell efficiently may seek out very strong smells that others find too intense.

Sight

People with sight use their eyes to help define the world around them. Children with sensory processing disorder may not be able to understand and organize what they see, or they may be sensitive to lights and moving objects. Some may go in the other direction and want to surround themselves with spinning items or a chaotic, visually stimulating environment.

Sound

Our ears pick up sounds, but for a child with sensory processing disorder, sounds can be too loud or too soft. This can lead to them wanting surroundings with either a lot of auditory stimulation or an atmosphere that’s much quieter.

Taste

When a child with sensory processing disorder is hypersensitive to taste, certain foods may seem unpalatable. On the other hand, a child who is hyposensitive may overseason food or like very spicy foods.

Touch

Children who have been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder may feel a gentle touch as heavy, or a heavy touch as gentle. Kids who require a lot of force to feel touch may be at risk of hurting themselves or others due to rough or risky behaviors.

Vestibular Sense

The vestibular sense involves balance and the way the body moves in space. Children with sensory processing disorder may exhibit balance issues and feel nauseous while in motion, but they may also seek out opportunities to test their balance by spinning and moving excessively.

Proprioception Sense

The proprioception sense relates to muscles and where the body is in space. When it comes to proprioception and sensory processing disorder, kids will sometimes roughhouse or bump others, or they may isolate and avoid contact because they feel overwhelmed by closeness.

Interoception Sense

Your body sends signals to let you know that it’s time to eat or drink. These are examples of your interoception sense in action. Children with sensory processing disorder may not always receive these signals or understand their meaning. Therefore, they may not realize that they need nourishment or that it’s time to take a bathroom break.

What Are Signs That a Child Might Have Sensory Issues?

Every child is unique, which is why some kids with sensory issues will only have trouble navigating one of the eight senses and other kids will have difficulty a few or with all eight of them. That said, you may be able to spot sensory disorder in your child if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Being hypersensitive to any of the senses by reacting excessively or unexpectedly to everyday stimuli
• Being hyposensitive to the senses by barely reacting or not reacting at all
• Having tantrums or crying at any sense-related stimuli
• Having difficulty feeling pain or feeling pain at the slightest touch
• Bumping into people and objects
• Overreacting or underreacting to sensory-related experiences

These are just some of the ways that sensory processing disorder can show up in a child. However, your child may exhibit other expressions of the condition.

How Is Sensory Processing Disorder in a Child Assessed and Treated?

Professional therapists can work with children and their families to identify and diagnose sensory processing disorder. Usually, a diagnosis is made through a series of tests. The tests help the therapist understand which types of children’s sensory therapy solutions might work best.

Two frequently applied therapy options for kids with sensory processing disorder are:

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): This type of therapy is most effective for children who experience intense emotional responses.
• Play therapy: When children play, they use their imaginations. A therapist can help direct their imaginative storytelling toward finding ways to cope with common problems that arise due to hypo- or hypersensitive reactions to sensory input.

How to Help a Child Manage Sensory Issues

Helping a child with sensory issues often begins by learning proven techniques to make the child’s environment feel more comfortable and supportive. However, knowing exactly which techniques to use requires the assistance of a trained professional.

If you believe that your child may have sensory processing disorder, consider setting up a consultation with Courageous Kids Counseling. Our team of child therapists in NY can evaluate your child and offer a plan to bring comfort, harmony and joy back into your household.