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Sensory Processing

Sensory processing refers to how people experience, interpret and use their senses to guide their day-to-day behaviour. We receive sensory information from many different sources, including our vision, hearing, touch, tastes and smells.

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In this section you may see the abbreviations OT. These stand for Occupational Therapist.

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​An occupational therapist (OT) is a health professional who helps people of all ages overcome challenges with daily activities. OTs work to help people live independently and increase their satisfaction in life. 

Antistress Sensory Toy
Antistress Sensory Toy

Children with sensory processing issues may exhibit behaviors that are difficult for their parents to understand. These behaviors can include sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights, discomfort clothing, difficulty with fine motor skills, and extreme reactions to certain stimuli. These behaviors occur because the child has difficulty processing sensory information, including the two internal senses that provide information about movement and body position. While some parents may refer to these behaviors as sensory processing disorder, it is not recognized as a psychiatric disorder.

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Here you will find some useful links where you can learn about sensory processing.

Occupational therapy involves identifying how a child is processing and responding to sensory information with the help of a therapist. After identifying the areas of difficulty, strategies and techniques are implemented to address them. The ultimate goal is to encourage appropriate responses to sensation in an active, meaningful, and enjoyable way.

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Mj is under an OT with the Chirldrens and Young Persons Therapy Service (CYPTS). However, when i put my back out we were also refered to the Children's Social Care OT who came and assessed the house to see how they could reduce the amount of lifting I needed to do and help with keeping the house safe for MJ. Check out the safety information leaflet below .

One of the first signs to us that Mj was possibly neurodivergent was his sensory processing. These signs included:

  • Walking on tip toes

  • Facial stimming

  • Flapping his hands

  • Spinning

  • Kicking

  • The way he ate

  • Limited Diet

  • No eye contact

  • The way he looked at things ( visual stimming)

  • Lining up his toes

  • Vocal stims

  • and more 

Please remember although they sound similar, sensory processing difficulties can be present without autism. Often children or adults with other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions such as Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, Anxiety, ADHD, or mood disorders can also exhibit Sensory Processing Disorder. It is not recognised as a stand alone condition.

Mj

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Jaxson

With Jaxson it was not so obvious. Behaviours that I presumed were just his little ways were actually his own sensory processing. These inc:

  • Eating a lot especially when anxious or something new was happening

  • Bowel issues 

  • The hating of new clothes and shoes 

  • Always needing a blanket when he sits down

  • Hates loud noises ( unless he is the one that's loud)

  • Sensitive to smells

  • Does not like the feel of dirty hands

  • Does no like the feel of being wet 

  • Water calmed him

  • Need to always run and bounce 

  • Eats ice everyday and can get emotional if can't have it

  • Limited diet 

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