Sensory Processing, Attention, and Emotions
Imagine yourself in the following places…
…a theme park like Disney World
…a concert at an indoor theater
…a large party with about 100 people
…shopping in a large crowd at the mall
…sitting in a traffic jam during rush hour in a thunderstorm
…a professional sports stadium
…a classroom of 25 preschool children (3 of which are crying)
… a high school pep rally in the school gym
We have individual differences in how we experience these highly stimulating places. Some people love and crave them. Others become overstimulated and may even avoid them. Regardless of preference, highly stimulating experiences have the potential to be overwhelming if your mind or body are not ready.
Imagine being in one of the places above, but …
… after an argument with your closest friend
… after several sleepless nights
…after a painful medical or dental procedure
…after failing a test or getting a pay cut at work
…with a migraine or back pain
…with someone who makes you feel anxious or irritable
How we experience the world around us is related to how we feel. And how we feel is related to how we take in the world around us. Our senses are directly linked to our emotions, and when one or the other is off balance, we also have difficulty paying attention (to the right things).
If you are tired, irritable, sad, worried, starving, or in pain, you will have a much more difficult time with self-regulation because your nervous system is overloaded. Loud music, screaming people, crying children, bright lights, and crowded people bumping into you will be too much.
Our nervous system’s (brain and spinal cord) ability to react and regulate is fundamental to how we function every day!
How does your child interact with the sensory world? Do you notice that s/he…
- Avoids loud sounds, food flavors or textures, clothing fabrics or seams, strong smells, getting dirty or wet, hair/teeth brushing…
- Seeks out soft, squishy and warm toys or objects
- Watches moving objects like fans, wheels, snow globes
- Relaxes to whole body movement such as swinging or jumping
- Puts inedible things in their mouth after the age of 3 or 4 years
- Is over or under responsive to bodily pain
- Is over or under responsive to affection and hugs
- What else do you notice?
Concerns about sensory processing exist on a continuum.
Understanding the degree of impact on the continuum from mild to severe across different areas of life (e.g., home, school, friendships, activities of daily living) is the first step to treatment.
Mild sensory processing difficulties may be called sensory processing differences.
Moderate to severe difficulties that interfere with daily life can be labeled a sensory processing disorder.
It will be helpful to explore the triggers and risks for sensory processing challenges, such as:
- Cautious, avoidant, inhibited temperament (in very young children)
- Stress
- History of or current abuse, trauma, or neglect
- Anxiety, nervousness, or worry
- Chronic pain
- Medical or neurological condition that affects the brain or spinal cord
Sensory processing issues are also common in different types of neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD/ADD and autism spectrum disorder. Seemingly easy, daily tasks or experiences (e.g., handwriting, brushing teeth, eating, classroom noises) can be triggers for a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder.
If you are already working with a therapist, ask the therapist how your child is progressing and if more support is needed. Sometimes it can be helpful to work with therapists who have different areas of specialty (e.g., occupational therapist and a counselor).
But if you have concerns about sensory processing and your child is not receiving support, talk with your pediatrician. Intervention for sensory processing concerns can be very effective! Treatment can help identify ways to anticipate, plan, and reduce triggers; and treatment can also help build strategies to adapt, cope, and regulate when the triggers cannot be changed.
If you suspect your child with sensory processing concerns may have a neurodevelopmental disorder, contact us to learn more about evaluation services at: [email protected]
