Sensory input and sensory processing

Source: http://vimeo.com/52193530

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological disorder which prevents information received by the senses to be processed properly. This includes the five senses (touch, smell, taste, hearing, vision) and the two other lesser known senses  - the vestibular ( the sense of movement) and the proprioceptive (the positional sense).

When a child suffers from blindness they receive no information in regards to their vision. This is not the case with SPD. The information is received but there are difficulties in the processing of this information in the brain and how to make sense of the information. The information is often processed in a way that causes distress, discomfort and confusion (Psychology Today: The Autism Advocate, 2010).

Think about how a baby explores the world. It's all about sensory information. Touch, smell, looking and reading faces, chewing, fists in the mouth, toys in the mouth, reaching for things, the startle when there is a loud sound, knowing the sound of particular voices. For kids on the spectrum (and those that have SPD) all this information might be confusing to the baby rather than helping them make sense of the world. This confusing information results in these kids liking things which are familiar, predictable, which bring routine and in turn, comfort. OCD tendencies (obsessive compulsive disorder) are also seen in kids with SPD or ASD as a way of reducing their anxiety.

Here is a video which a friend of mine posted on Facebook recently. It might help bring some understanding and empathy to what a fairly normal situation (a visit to a shopping centre) can be like for someone with ASD or SPD.

I felt like escaping this scenario when watching this, so I guess we could all understand the need for these kids to escape or meltdown!!

These situations become more complicated when there is a language and communication delay. When they begin to feel stressed or anxious, finding words to express this is difficult. I notice this with my son. In a calm environment he is able to label body parts. But when he is in pain ( remember even  information from their pain receptors will process differently to ours) he often cannot express where he is feeling pain. It is almost like the extra stress and anxiety and the inability to process the information from the pain receptors shuts his ability to communicate off. It is all too much.

If you couldn't communicate through words in that video, what would you do?? Yell and scream, perhaps? Roll on the floor with your hands over your ears?? Run away from your parents who are making you go there in the first place??

When all the information they receive gets too much and their arousal levels are rising, this is when they experience sensory overload. This is not unique to kids on the spectrum. We all have probably experienced this at different times in our lives in different scenarios. But for these kids, they experience it nearly every day.

What are kids sensitive to?

Source: http://wizzkids.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/sensory-overload/

There is a huge range and like most things it varies from kid to kid. But common things are light, sound, touch, taste, texture (like of clothes).

Signs that children are moving towards sensory overload:

• easily distracted
• cannot focus on a task
• oversensitivity to small things
• hyperactive
• withdrawal
• shuts down - vacant
• hands over eyes or ears
• clumsiness
• unable to calm down
• unable to stop behaviour
• delayed motor skills
• delayed speech skills/acquisition
• refusal to do certain activities

How can we help?

• A Sensory Diet or implementing sensory based activities will help regulate a child's arousal and over the long term help them process some of this information better.
• My son wears a hat almost all the time. This helps with his light sensitivity and it also gives a way of withdrawing from social situations where he is feeling overwhelmed. It has been very effective for us.
• Some kids will wear ear muffs, plugs or phones when they are out in situations that are too noisy for them. I am considering keeping some available for E as some places he finds noise too overwhelming.
• Don't touch kids with ASD or SPD until you get to know them and find out what their sensitivities are. Don't demand a hug or a kiss from them. This can put them in very uncomfortable space.
• Use visuals to help kids process verbal information. Put routines into a visual sequences of events. This can be a highly effective way of lowering anxiety as they can predict the day or the order of events.
•  Social stories (stories with visuals) explaining changes or new things are also a very useful tool. Kids with autism have trouble understanding big picture stuff. They struggle with context. Thus, if they can process the order that things will take place then they will more likely cope better with transitioning from one task to another. They will be more relaxed as they know what is coming next.

I really should have written this post prior to 'The Sensory Diet' but hopefully it's helpful nonetheless.