What are the 8 senses?
These can be over sensitive, under sensitive, or sensory seeking (hyper or hypo)
For example – hair brushing – some children hate the sensation, others will sit there and not even know you are touching them, other children will want their hair brushed all the time
How can we support children with sensory processing disorder?
Taste
Taste receptors in the mouth are highly sensitive. Children may avoid certain foods or textures or put everything in their mouth.
Try the following:
- Ice to suck or teething rings
- Crunchy apples
- Chewy toys found online
If a child doesn’t want to put things in mouth, don’t put any pressure but instead play with food, jelly play, spaghetti play, squirty cream. Do it with them and show them you licking your fingers. Make it fun but be aware of choking hazards with very young children.
Smell
Sensory cells in the nose pick even subtle changes in smell. Children could feel sick with certain smells or seeks certain smells. Think about the perfume/aftershave you wear, what you wash clothes in, petrol/coffee/ smells.
Try the following:
- Find a smell they like, could be hand cream, or small scented candle they could carry around to help
- Use oil scented playdough or bubble bath with scented oils to calm. Lavender spray on pillow. Before using check they are suitable for your child. Be aware of potential allergies and asthma being exacerbated by some smells.
Touch
Some children like to be touched or others hate it.
Try the following:
- Use fidget toys, playdough, elastic band round wrist, deep pressure (wrapped in blanket) bear hugs.
- Cut labels out of clothes.
- Think about the way you wash clothes, towels hung outside can be hard on skin
Sight
Visual overwhelm happens when there is too much information to take in, this may be bright colours or fast paced moving objects. Some children will seek out sensory stimulation choosing to watch very colourful TV programmes. Common problem areas are school display boards that contain too much information and large supermarkets with too much to look at.
Try the following:
- Offer sunglasses, now and next boards, visual timetables, dark dens, lava lamps, glow sticks.
Baseball hats and torches instead of main light.
Hearing
Children often respond to loud noises, background noises or covers their ears. If under sensitive, they may not respond to their name, they would have to be touched first and given eye contact. Just walking to the shops the children will hear lots of noises, birds singing, people chatting, traffic etc.
Try the following:
- Think about providing ear defenders or having air pods in to only tune into one sound.
- You can also purchase noise cancelling headphones and ones with special filters for different situations.
Proprioception
This is about where our joints are in space. It involves balance also – try standing on one leg with your eyes closed. That feeling is your senses telling your ankle to stay straight.
Try the following activities which involve pushing or pulling or heavy work:
- Throwing and catching a weighted ball.
- Crawling, or wheelbarrow walks
- Monkey bars and wall pushes.
Vestibular
Our vestibular system tells us where our head is in space- keeps our eye sight straight, helps to support both sides of our bodies working so we can use a knife and fork. Some children will feel dizzy easily others will want to feel the sensation of dizziness.
Try the following:
- Jumping on a trampoline.
- Spinning on office chair.
- Bouncing on an exercise ball.
- Standing on a balance board and log rolls.
Interoception
We have nerves and senses in all of our organs and tissues including our skin which is the biggest organ of the body. These nerves and senses tell us when we are hungry, sick, needing toilet, tired, pain and helps us to regulate our temperature.
Try the following:
- Yoga
- Mindfulness
- Breathing exercises.
- Body labelling and spotting body clues.
All of the above could be discussed with an occupational therapist.
