Guest Blog by Elise Siak, Occupational Therapist
Because Sensory Processing Disorder is complex and the challenges associated with it
are unique to the individual, it is difficult to provide strategies which can
help any and all children with a sensory processing disorder. However, because of
the way the sensory systems are organized and the way the input is processed
within the brain, there are a few strategies that tend to work to improve
sensory processing in most children! Before we get to the strategies, a short
overview of the sensory systems and sensory integration is necessary.
The Sensory Systems
We all know
the basic 5 senses we’ve been taught in school: sight, hearing, taste, smell,
and touch. However, sensory information is a bit more complicated than that!
There are 2 other systems which are integral to sensory processing and which
are a bit more complex than the basic 5 senses.
The Vestibular System: This system
helps us understand the position of our heads in space and any movement that
may be occurring. Within the inner ear are small compartments, some of which
contain small hair-like receptors and some which contain fluid. The
compartments which contain the hair-like receptors help to communicate to our
brains how our head is positioned in space based on gravity acting on these
receptors and pushing them in one direction or another. The compartments which
contain the fluid help to communicate to the brain the direction and speed of
movements of the head, and therefore the body. All of this input together
helps us to understand where we are located in space and if we’re moving or
not. This system is highly sensitive but is often not part of our conscious
awareness unless we are engaged in intense vestibular input like that which
would be experienced on a rollercoaster or when spinning repeatedly.
The Proprioceptive System: This
system helps us to understand the position of our joints/limbs in space and the
amount of force needed in order to complete a task appropriately (think an
appropriate "high five" versus a "high five" that’s too hard). Within our muscles
and joints are small receptors called proprioceptors which send our brain information about our position, movement, and the amount of force being used. This system,
even more so than the vestibular system, is outside of our conscious awareness.
However, imagine trying to button a shirt if you can’t understand how your
hands need to move and the force they need to use in order to complete the
task! Now think about tying something or buttoning something behind your back
or with your eyes closed. Your proprioceptive system allows completing tasks
like this to be possible. When the proprioceptive system is not functioning
properly, movements become discoordinated, slower, and require increased effort
to achieve the same result.
Sensory Integration
Sensory
integration itself is widely misinterpreted and the phrase itself is often used
incorrectly. Sensory integration is the process by which the brain brings
together information from all of our sensory systems to make a cohesive picture
about what it happening around us in order for us to respond effectively.
Imagine
stepping onto an ice rink with ice skates on for the first time. Your eyes will
be able to see the sheen of the ice, the tracks of others on the surface of the
ice, and the proximity of others to yourself. Your ears will hear the sounds of
others around you as well as the sound of the skates moving across the ice.
Your vestibular and proprioceptive systems will work together to provide you
with information about where you are in space, how you need to respond in order
to keep yourself upright, and how much force needs to be exerted with your legs
when skating across the ice. Imagine not being able to fully and effectively interpret some part of the information described above. Ice skating would be
really hard! This is precisely why effective sensory integration is so
important. Without a detailed and complete picture of the sensory input
happening around oneself, formulating an effective and adaptive response to
novel experiences is nearly impossible. This helps to explain why children with
sensory integration challenges often demonstrate difficulty across a variety of
skill sets, including fine motor, gross motor, and language skills. Playing,
learning, and growing, the main jobs of childhood, become really difficult when
you are only able to understand and use a portion of the sensory input your
body is receiving!
Imagine
stepping onto an ice rink with ice skates on for the first time. Your eyes will
be able to see the sheen of the ice, the tracks of others on the surface of the
ice, and the proximity of others to yourself. Your ears will hear the sounds of
others around you as well as the sound of the skates moving across the ice.
Your vestibular and proprioceptive systems will work together to provide you
with information about where you are in space, how you need to respond in order
to keep yourself upright, and how much force needs to be exerted with your legs
when skating across the ice. Imagine not being able to fully and effectively interpret some part of the information described above. Ice skating would be
really hard! This is precisely why effective sensory integration is so
important. Without a detailed and complete picture of the sensory input
happening around oneself, formulating an effective and adaptive response to
novel experiences is nearly impossible. This helps to explain why children with
sensory integration challenges often demonstrate difficulty across a variety of
skill sets, including fine motor, gross motor, and language skills. Playing,
learning, and growing, the main jobs of childhood, become really difficult when
you are only able to understand and use a portion of the sensory input your
body is receiving!
Treatment Ideas
Again,
because each and every child with sensory processing challenges is so unique,
it is difficult to provide a “one size fits all” blueprint for how to help.
However, some strategies tend to be effective for the majority of children with
sensory processing challenges and a sensory processing disorder. The most
important system to consider is the proprioceptive system. Think of it as the
highway of all of the sensory systems. If there’s a traffic jam on the highway
(the proprioceptive system), it affects traffic on all the surrounding roads
(all of the other sensory systems). This is why the proprioceptive system is
often targeted first when treating children with sensory processing disorder.
Proprioceptive Strategies
Strategies targeted at the
proprioceptive system include any opportunities for deep pressure and/or weight
bearing across the major joints.
 |
| Sensory Sandwish |
Strategies include:
-
making
a “sandwich” between pillows/couch cushions by pushing along your child’s body
with deep pressure
-
using
a “steamroller” (large ball) to roll across your child’s body while they lay on
a padded surface
-
bear
hugs with deep and prolonged pressure across the torso
-
weighted
materials including weighted blankets, lap pads, and vest; note that weighted
materials should not be used for more than 20-30 minutes at a time with at
least a 1-2 hour break between uses and that it is best to consult with a
healthcare professional with knowledge of sensory processing (i.e. occupational
therapist) prior to beginning any sort of weighted material use with your child
 |
| Deep Pressure Strategy |
 |
| Weighted Blanket |
Weight bearing activities often involve moving from one place to another in a novel manner, including bearing weight on the arms.
Strategies include:
-
wheelbarrow
walking
 |
| Wheelbarrow Walk |
 |
| Crab Walk |
 |
| Scooter Board Activities |
 |
| Tunnels and Tents |
-
using
a scooter board while lying on the stomach and using only the arms to pull
along the ground in order to move
-
crawling
through tunnels, forts, etc.; these activities can be made even more intense by
including weighted materials while crawling
-
carrying
heavy objects including grocery bags, laundry baskets, books, etc.
-
any
activity which requires pushing or pulling like tug of war or climbing a rock
wall or rope
Vestibular Strategies
Strategies targeted at the vestibular system will involve
movement in one or more planes. Note that linear movement (back and forth or
side to side) tends to be calming and rotary movement (in a circle) tends to be
very alerting. It is not recommended that children spin for more than a minute
at a time, as this type of input is incredibly complex and can require up to
3-4 hours for a child to fully process.
Strategies include:
Strategies include:
-
swinging
on a playground swing or hammock
 |
| Bouncing on a Therapy Ball |
 |
| Jumping on a Trampoline |
-
jumping
on a trampoline
-
bouncing
on a large therapy ball with parent assistance to stabilize
Guest Blogger Elise Siak:
I have always been
interested in working in pediatrics, even before discovering occupational
therapy. Since discovering OT, I have thrived on the creativity and connections
with clients with which this profession provides me. I have passion for working
with children with sensory processing and self-regulation challenges. I have
experience working with both children and adults on the autism spectrum, as
well as children with a variety of developmental challenges and delays. I hope
to be able to provide both parents and other therapists alike with some insight
into sensory processing disorders!
Next week we will conclude our series on Sensory Processing Disorders with:
Next week we will conclude our series on Sensory Processing Disorders with:
Part Four: Parent Tips for Children with Sensory Processing Disorders or Children on the Autism Spectrum
Blog Administrator: Trisha Roberts
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