Dealing with Sensory Issues in

Young Children

Amy Elmore, OTR/L, SIPT

Children’s of Alabama

Dealing with Sensory Issues in Young Children

Describe different types of common sensory

issues

How to recognize possibly sensory issues

Strategies for coping with various difficulties (i.e.

behavior replacement, sensory diets, etc.)

When and where to seek help

Sensory Integration –

What Is It? It is the organization of sensory information for on-

going use

Sensory Processing – The way our nervous system receives sensory messages and turns them into responses (Miller, 2006)

It is the neurological process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and from the environment and makes is possible to use the body effectively within the environment (Bundy, Lane, & Murray, 2002)

Sensory Integration –

What is it?

Theory

Framework for intervention

Pertains to function and dysfunction

(Sensory Processing Disorder)

Concerns of Sensory Processing

Sensory Modulation and the 7 Senses -Vision, Hearing, Smell, Taste, Touch

Movement – Proprioception and Vestibular

Sensory Over-Responsivity

Sensory Under-Responsivity

Sensory Seeking / Craving

What it looks like

Under-responsive: May seem unaware of subtle input, or may crave strong input

Over-responsive: Sensory input has too great of an impact, compared to a typical response. Person may become anxious, overly excited, or overwhelmed

Organizing the Over-stimulated

Proprioceptive input

Vestibular input

Auditory input

Tactile input

Sensory Modulation

It interferes with ability to organize behavior

We all experience these problems at times, esp. when fatigued or stressed

Estimated that 15% of the population are affected by sensory defensiveness

Is evident in 1 sensory system or across multiple systems

Building Relationships

Follow the child’s lead

Imitate their language and sounds

Slowly get into their space and play beside them

Look for the cues to understand their interests

Have FUN!!

Where Do You Start?

Family Goals

Research shows most families express concerns

in 3 areas:

Social participation

Self – regulation

Self – esteem

Where to Next?

Now that a family has identified their priorities,

you should…

Identify how family concerns, priorities and

everyday life come together to achieve goals

Part of everyday routine

Problem Solving

What is a normal arousal level

Parents identify their concerns, determine is that

from under or over arousal level

Would the child benefit from alerting,

organizing, or calming activities

When to call on a psychologist

Strategies At Home

Sensory Diet

Is a way to meet a child’s needs through out the

day to keep them calm, focused, and organized

so they can then cope and focus to learn new

skills.

Goals of a Sensory Diet

To reduce sensory defensiveness

To help the child maintain a optimal level of

arousal

Promote optimum level of arousal for

behavioral organization

To regulate under-reactive vestibular systems

Sensory Diet vs. First Step Strategy

Goal oriented play Sensory task followed by

goal task followed by

sensory task

Calms and gains trust

between parent and child

Puts each party involved

on the child’s level

Promotes imitation

Alter the steps as child

progresses and/or ages

Sensory Diets

Sensory motor activity must be repeated

throughout the day to help the individual

maintain an optimal level of organization

The daily sensory activities need to be structured

and not random in nature

Activities that are chosen must last 20 – 30

minutes depending on size and age of child

May start 1xday then change to 2xday

Benefits of a Sensory Diet

Increase predictability of schedule and routines

Reduce disruptive or disorganizing stimulation

in the environment and interactions.

Allows for learning when a child may have

turned off

Increases eye contact and language skills

Activity Planning

Timing is everything

Develop consistent routines for daily activities

Prepare a child for upcoming activities and

transitions

Use a picture schedule

Example of Planning: Develop and encourage

interaction styles that avoid light and unexpected

touch (Include firm touch)

Sensory Diet

Looks to bring a high or low arousal level to an

optimal level of arousal

Levels of arousal change through out our day

Examples of what may cause our level of arousal

to change

Sensory Diet

How to Start

Therapy consult to determine what types of sensory

input is calming for the child

Determine what the child craves

Use a picture schedule when possible

Keep a list of possible activities on the fridge

Sensory Diet

Items in their environment:

Inner tubes Climbing structures & swings

Trampoline Swing with a supported back

Hippity Hop Sit n Spin

Cloth Tunnel Bubble Balls

Couch Large ball

Pillows Thick and heavy quilts

Bean bag chairs

Sensory Diet Examples

Elizabeth (30 months old)

Parental Concerns: doesn’t play purposefully with

toys; likes to spin herself and enjoys falling;

doesn’t like her hands dirty; becomes upset in

noisy environments; she has trouble going to

birthday parties

Elizabeth’s Sensory Diet

Bouncing or slow rocking on a exercise ball for

5-10 minutes followed by sitting in the floor to

work puzzles and look at describe pictures in a

book

Encourage swinging for up to 10 mins then

inside for sit-down play with 2-3 age appropriate

toys

Elizabeth’s Sensory Diet II

She’s organized to attempt and learn functional

play and tasks

Improve daily social skills in everyday life

Sensory diet 1-2 times per day at 20 mins each time

to perform calming and organizing tasks

Determine times with family to implement sensory

activities

Sensory Diet

Sensorimotor Activities to Decrease Arousal Level

Treatment Using a Sensory Diet

To use 2x day at home for 20 – 30 mins each. The activities need to be continuous and with routine, not random. (more structured). Help by choosing from the list of activities to make up the time.

Goals of a Sensory Diet

To reduce sensory defensiveness

To help the client maintain an optimal level of arousal

Promote optimum level of arousal, self regulation and behavioral organization

To regulate under-reactive vestibular system

Elizabeth’s Schedule

8:00 am Chewy or Crunchy Breakfast (use straw cup

10:00 am Swinging, Riding tricycle, Elizabeth sandwich (deep pressure), Bouncing then slow rocking on ball, Ball press, and follow with sit-down play or running errands

12:00 pm Straw cup

Nap

3:00 pm Slow rocking with mom or caregiver, deep hugs, back rubs, tactile brush, joint compressions

Dinner

Bath time – Deep rubs with a lotion massage and may follow with joint compressions

Sensory Diet with the Family

Fill a pillowcase with a few stuffed animals in it for weight. Child can then push or pull the pillowcase up a ramp, incline or stairs.

Take the cushions off sofas, vacuum under them, then put them back. Can also climb on them or jump and "crash" into them.

Pull other children around on a sheet or blanket.

Drink thick liquids

Play in sandbox with damp heavy sand.

Push chairs into the table after a meal.

Fill up a small suitcase with heavy items (such as books) and push/pull the suitcase across the room

Pull a small suitcase on wheels

Sensory Diet with the Family

Go "shopping" with a child's shopping cart filled with items, or have the child push the shopping cart when you go shopping.

Play jumping games such as hopscotch and jump rope

Jump on a mini trampoline

Bounce on a Hippity Hop Ball

Play catch with a heavy ball, or bounce and roll a heavy ball

Do animal walks (crab walk, bear walk, army crawl)

Stack chairs

Go "camping" by pulling a heavy blanket pulled across a few chairs

Sensory Diet

Knowing when to alter

Learning when to allow an activity and not a way to get

out of something

Changing up the goals following sensory tasks

Remembering you may need a new diet in the coming

months to years

Solution Strategies

Solution Strategies

Solution Strategies

Solution Strategies

Solution Strategies

Solution Strategies

Try a pop up tent in the corner of a room,

throw a dark sheet over it; fill it with extra throw

pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags

Use an artificial aquarium or a real fish tank with

low lighting

Christmas lights to run around the edges of your

darker corner

Lava lamps

Solution Strategies

Decrease auditory stimuli

Try noise canceling

headphones

Ear muffs or cotton in

ears

Toddler size ear plugs

Therapeutic Listening

References

Ayres, A. J. (2005) Sensory Integration and the Child. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services. (Updated by Pediatric Therapy Network)

Ayres, A. J. Influence of Sensory Integration Procedures on Language Development.

American Journal of Occupational Therapy 35:383-390, 1981.

Bundy, A. C., Lane, S., and Murray, A. (2002) Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, 2nd Edition. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Dunn, W. (1999) Sensory Profile: Caregiver Questionnaire. The Psychological Corporation.

Greenspan, S. I. and Weider, S. (1998) The Child with Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth. Reading, Massachusetts: Perseus Books.

Inamura, K. (1998) SI for Early Intervention: A Team Approach. San Antonio, TX: Therapy Skill Builders.

Kantner, RM, Kanter, B, Clark DL. Vestibular Stimulation Effect on Language

Miller, L.J. (2006) Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder. New York, NY:G. P. Putnam’s Sons.