As I mentioned in my last post, about Sensory Processing, I attended an inservice given by our preschool’s Occupational Therapist. She had given us a very real way of understanding Sensory Processing. She had put the rough side of sticky velcro on our, the participants, shirt tags. She told us, “I just wanted you to see how children who are sensitive to touch feel about the tags in their shirts. This is how irritating it is to them, like the rough side of velcro rubbing against their neck.”
In a subsequent inservice given by this OT, she also ran another lesson that stuck with me. She had all the participants put on gloves and then do simple tasks, like buttoning our shirts, zipping our zippers, writing, or reading a book. Needless to say, it was very uncomfortable and frustrating. Our gloved hands made those everyday activities difficult to manage.
She explained that children who have difficulties with sensory processing, may have trouble because the nerves in their hands are not receiving the messages they need to perform their job. In essence they are moving through their day with gloves on their hands.
According to the SPD Foundation: “Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as “sensory integration dysfunction”) is a condition that exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses. Pioneering occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological “traffic jam” that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively.”
Do you want to learn more about Sensory Processing and how it may be effecting your child?
Come and hear A+ Solution’s talented Occupational Therapist, Aliza Feldman, OTR, speak about:
Understanding Sensory Processing In Young Children
You can sign up here:
Understanding Sensory Processing In Young Children
References:
Information retrieved on 12/3/14 from http://spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html