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Sensory processing difficulties. Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Activity 1. Take 2 minutes to become aware of your surroundings. Sensory Modulation.
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Sensory processing difficulties Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses
Activity 1 • Take 2 minutes to become aware of your surroundings.
Sensory Modulation Sensory modulation refers specifically to the brain’s ability to respond appropriately to the sensory environment and to remain at the appropriate level of arousal or alertness.
HighArousal Level Low Threshold Optimum Arousal Level High Threshold Low Arousal Level
Low Threshold HighArousal Level Optimum Arousal Level Low Arousal Level High Threshold
Neuro-typical Sensory Processing AppropriateMotor/behaviour output Processing information Sensory input Unnecessary Sensory Stimuli
Hyper-responsive (SNS) Inappropriate motor & behavioural response Fight or Flight Processing information is difficult/overload Sensory overload
Hyper-responsive • They become sensory ‘hyper-vigilant’ i.e. overly aware all the time about everything that is going on in the environment and therefore highly stressed. • They often respond with a ‘fight, flight, freeze or faint’ type of response. They may deal with this by trying to hide (flight) from the sensory world often choosing sedentary activities or be stressed & argumentative (fight). Stimming behaviour may be present. • Low threshold for sensory input (poor filter)
Fight or flight? • How do you fight or flight when non-ambulant? • Screaming/shouting? • Rocking? • Flailing? • Crying? • Silence?
Hypo-responsive (PNS) Not enough information from senses Brain tells body to seek more input e.g. By moving/fidgeting/stimming
Hypo-responsive • appear to under-react to usual sensory input are said to be hypo-responsive. • They have a high threshold for input (filter too good) • They can have an unusually high activity level i.e. movement seeking (and may actually appear to be hyper-active!) This may be seen in stereo-typical behaviours. • or unusually low activity level. They may not respond to their name, twisted clothes, dirt, pain etc.
Activity 2 Q1. What affects your sensory arousal level? Q2. What do you use to calm or increase your arousal level?
Related Motor Difficulties • Immature central nervous system: poor integration and connectivity in the brain • Fails to reach motor milestones • Poor bilateral integration • Poor co-ordination and fluidity of movement • Difficulties with automatic movement • Low muscle tone • Poor right/left discrimination and directionality.
Behaviour is the outcome of…. • Sensory Processing: The capacity to modulate and interpret sensory information for survival and engagement purposes
Challenging behaviours? • Self harm • Stimming • Uncontrollable crying/shouting • Aggressive/physical • Hyper-active • Appears Un-responsive • Self-stimulating (sexualised)
Self Harm vs Sensory • May feel little pain: poor tactile registration • Seeking additional stimulation because a sensory system is under-responsive • Trying to block out other pain or effects of sensory over-load?
Case study • R (ASD) • Sticking fingers through wire fence until bleeding • Head banging • Rolling on floor • Throwing self on floor
Crying/shouting • Over-sensitive to noise? • Over-sensitive to touch • Trying to screen out other noises by making noise themselves • Uncomfortable clothing? • Over-sensitive to smell/taste? • ?pain • Poor regulation of temperature, hunger, pain
Aggressive/physical • Over-responsive to touch, taste, smell, texture, sound, • Over-responsive to unexpected movement • Over-responsive to unexpected visual • Not getting enough movement or touch intensity
Case study • C (complex learning and physical difficulties: no diagnosis • Scratching, hitting, biting staff other pupils and self (seen as self harming) • Rocking and stimming behaviours • Mouthing objects and eating anything • Use of chair for learning activities increased- behaviour decreased
Under-responsive • Quiet • Unobtrusive • Not aware of surroundings • In own world
Case study • M (ASD diagnosis) • Quiet, appeared in own world, little social awareness of others but happy • Poor participation of any functional daily task • Stimming • Rocking • Flicked balls constantly • Sensory room: walked around the walls in a repetitive pattern.
Self-stimulating • visual - Flapping hands, blinking and / or moving fingers in front of eyes; staring repetitively at a light, rolling eyeballs • Auditory - Making vocal sounds; snapping fingers, tapping ears • Tactile - Scratching; rubbing the skin with one's hands or with an external object • Vestibular - Moving body in rhythmic motion; rocking front and back or side-to-side • Taste - Licking body parts; licking an object, placing body parts or objects in one's mouth • Smell - Smelling objects or hands; sniffing people
Possible Consequences of sensory processing difficulties • underachieves (links to other developmental difficulties) • Social skills difficulties/communication • Personal care/motor skills issues • Poor concentration/attention • Challenging behaviour as a defence mechanism • Unhappy, anxious, frustrated and socially isolated.
