what to do with a child with sensory issues
This is a guest postal service by Loren Snow, an autistic public speaker and trainer. He is besides the creator of Autism Academy, an first-class video library resource.
Near autistic individuals will have some sensory sensitivities. These sensitivities can mean they are over- or under-sensitive to sure sensory data. For example, if a person has over-sensitive hearing, sounds may seem louder, possibly even causing pain and sensory overload. Your child may struggle with sensory issues, and sometimes it can feel like yous have to be a detective to work out why they're struggling with something – sensory issues can take some unpicking!
Sensory dysregulation is often one of the most pregnant causes of discomfort for autistic children. Information technology can create high levels of anxiety and even impact their ability to empathize and process language. Sensory bug can lead to challenging behaviours. I'm sure yous can imagine how hard information technology might exist to agreement others and self-regulate when smells, sounds, or lights are overwhelming or causing pain. Fortunately, sometimes simple changes in an surroundings can accept huge furnishings.
What are the senses?
In addition to the v primary senses we all know about (sight, sound, taste, touch and smell), there are really several others that are important, particularly where autistic individuals are concerned. By understanding these and finding means to incorporate activities that stimulate these senses, your child's quality of life tin be massively improved.
The boosted senses are:
Proprioception: this is our sense of our body. Information technology allows us to know where our body parts are without looking at them. It's what we feel when we stretch and contract our muscles, and when nosotros experience deep pressure, like hugs.
Vestibular: this is our sense of balance. It allows us to move without falling or bumping into objects and works in tandem with our proprioceptive sense to navigate our torso and limbs.
Interoception: this is our internal body sense. It's what allows the states to know what'due south going on inside our bodies: such as hunger, tiredness, nausea, or needing the toilet.
Nociception: this is our sense of pain. It'southward what allows us to know if something is harmful to our bodies. Like when we cut, trample or fire ourselves or when we strain our muscles.
Thermoception: this is our sense of temperature. It allows united states of america to know if we are as well hot or cold.
Activities that stimulate the senses can exist incorporated into what's called a 'sensory nutrition'. A sensory nutrition is not to do with nutrient but with a range of activities your kid tin engage in every 24-hour interval that may assist them regulate their emotions and behaviour. More on this later.
Hyper- and hypo-sensitivity
Many autistic individuals are sensory avoiders (hyper-sensitive) some of the time and sensory seekers (hypo-sensitive) at other times. For some individuals, these can modify through their lives or from i moment to the next.
Sensory avoiders (hyper-sensitive) may:
- have issues with clothing being itchy or uncomfortable, tags must be removed, may need very soft fabrics
- prefer banal nutrient
- avoid physical contact
- be unable to cope in busy / loud environments
- be oversensitive to light
- require a calm, neutral and minimalist environment
- have difficulty with eating dissimilar textures and brushing teeth due to oral sensitivity
- over-react to hurting and temperature changes
- be overcautious due to fear of falling
- have anxiety caused by fear of sensory overload
- have difficulty sleeping
Sensory seekers (hypo-sensitive) may:
- have fiddling or no reaction to hurting or extreme temperature, for example won't habiliment a glaze in the winter
- have trivial or no reaction to loud noises, bangs, etc.
- not be distracted past bright lights, enjoys flashing lights, fireworks, etc.
- seek crunchy textures and spicy flavours in food
- beloved motility – swinging, jumping, roller coasters
- crash into furniture and walls while trying to get enough sensory stimulus; may intermission furniture, doors, etc.
- want tight hugs, massages, dorsum scratches, etc.
- have a 'stompy' walk to attempt and become more stimulation
- walk on their toes to become a sensory hit
- honey textures, eg highly textured surfaces, running hands through sand or rice, messy play
Your kid will have their own unique sensory profile; they might be oversensitive with some senses and undersensitive for others. The good news is that figuring this profile out tin help you lot reduce the severity and frequency of their meltdowns and shutdowns. I of the best tips for dealing with meltdowns and shutdowns is to remove the things in the environment that might be causing the sensory overload or remove them from the situation if it's possible.
Here are a few tools yous tin can utilise to get an idea of your child's sensory profile:
- Autism Instruction Trust sensory checklist
- Sensory questionnaire from the STAR Plant
- Sensory contour questionnaire
- The charity bibic will exercise a full assessment of your kid and provide you with a sensory diet to use at home
How can you lot support your child's sensory needs?
Getting to grips with your child'south sensory issues may take a chip of trial and error. Y'all need to notice your child's behaviour and work out what they might demand (this is what we mean by being a detective!). For example, if yous have a kid who chews upwards all the collars and cuffs of their vesture, and then something like a chew toy or necklace might help. There is a massive range of chew devices available; some are fabricated to look similar regular jewellery and and then are less conspicuous.
If y'all have a child who is continuously and intentionally crashing into things or even breaking article of furniture, then something similar a mini trampoline may help them become that sensory feedback that they crave. Or deep pressure, like rolling an exercise brawl over their back, or going swimming, which provides excellent deep pressure and can exist very calming equally information technology uses major muscle groups. Even chewing gum, if it is safe for your child, can provide very satisfying and calming sensory input.
If your child has a very specific sensory upshot, the internet tin can be a useful tool. Just just search for 'autism' and the consequence. For example, try googling 'autism' and 'toothbrushing'. At that place's a wealth of information out there on just this subject (such as flavourless toothpaste and super-soft toothbrushes to name a few).
It'south very important to note that most of the time, you don't accept to buy special 'inability' sensory items. The word 'disability' tin can increment the cost dramatically! Oftentimes you can observe sensory toys in places similar Lidl, Amazon or toy shops, like Smyths or The Entertainer.
Sometimes your kid may need a reduction in sensory input. A popup tent or play tent – these are cheap and widely bachelor – creates a safe environment that blocks out everything else around that person. A blanket can do the same thing, as can a hooded top.
Hats and sunglasses can reduce lite. Ear defenders can reduce dissonance, but tin also help an broken-hearted child visit new places, as some children fear unexpected loud noises (many BAS parents swear by these cheap ones from ScrewFix). Listening to music can block out unpleasant stimuli, too.
Nosotros recommend doing a scrap of investigative work with your child earlier spending money on anything, as creating a collection of sensory toys and devices can be expensive. Locally, both Gympanzees and Jigsaw Thornbury take free lending libraries you tin can borrow from to 'try before y'all purchase'. The charity Cerebra also accept a lending library.
Some helpful links:
- Chewigem sell excellent chew toys and jewellery
- Sensory Direct sell a broad range of sensory equipment and are very helpful
- I've created a video about Sensory Processing
- Create a sensory diet for your child
- This is a groovy volume from NAS about sensory issues: Sensory strategies: Practical ways to assist children and young people with autism acquire and attain past Corinna Laurie
- Tin can I tell you about Sensory Processing Difficulties?: A guide for friends, family and professionals by Sue Allen
- Useful articles: Sensory Processing Issues: Strategies You Can Try at Home and Agreement Sensory Processing Issues
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Source: https://www.bristolautismsupport.org/sensory-issues-and-autism/
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