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Eighteen month old Owen is using his senseses as he walks on sensory stepping stones.
We use sight, touch (tactile), sound, smell, taste, body position and balance and movement to have a successful day. Some children may experience sensory overload or underload that makes daily functioning a challenge. Does that mean they have a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
Sensory Processing Disorder is not recognized as an official diagnosis at this time so, diagnosing and creating treatment plans can be tricky. Infants and toddlers may show one or more signs of SPD. A few will need therapy from an Occupational Therapist. All will benefit from activities and games families can play at home.
Here are some signs of a sensory processing issues for over sensitive and under sensitive little ones:
Signs of Hypersensitivity (Sensory stimulation can cause an extreme reaction)
- Touch, movement, sights and sounds can be difficult to tolerate
- Clothes and shoes feel uncomfortable
- Distracted by sounds others don’t notice
- Playground swings and slides cause a fearful reaction
- Clumsy and not aware of own body in relationship to objects and people around them.
- Avoid hugs and snuggles with familiar people
Signs of Hyposensitivity (Sensory stimulation is needed at high levels)
- Wants to touch others and objects when it is not appropriate
- High tolerance for pain
- High activity level, jumping, bumping, crashing
- Difficulty calming self after an activity
- Enjoys extreme movement and being squeezed in a bear hug
- Always moving or fidgeting
The decision to seek an assessment with an Occupational Therapist is a team decision with Early Intervention. An OT will engage your child in activities and play designed to help them learn to work with their senses as they process the world to feel comfortable, secure, and able to learn. The OT will leave you with important skills/goals to work on until the next therapy session.
For both children who qualify for OT and children who do not, there are tools you can use as a parent to help your child such as, playing games, painting, sculpting with play dough and providing other activities at home and in the neighborhood that help sensory development.
Sources:
Kate Davis, Occupational Therapist and Early Intervention provider from Adaptations Unlimited answers a few questions from her professional point of view about Sensory Processing.
1. How does an OT help a child with sensory processing concerns?
When there is a sensory processing concern, OT sessions focus on helping a child to develop the skills they need to successfully participate in a variety of roles and routines. The approach is highly individualized. If a child has a sensitivity, the treatment focuses on decreasing that response so that activities are more enjoyable. This is done in a gentle way by providing opportunities to the child and should never be forced. On the other hand, if a child has decreased body awareness or difficulty tuning in to others, the treatment will focus on providing activities that help a child to become more aware and better able to use those senses. This is always achieved with a home (or natural environment) program and ideally will fit right in with the family routine.
2. When is it time to call for an OT assessment?
It is a good idea to ask for an OT assessment if you feel like your day to day routines with your child are harder than you would expect them to be, or if you feel like things are difficult for your child to achieve. Sensory processing concerns can look different for every child. Some children are very sensitive, some children are the opposite and tune out a lot/ seem to be "in their own world". When your child isn't reacting in a way that you would expect for a given situation, it is generally a good idea to assess sensory processing as an underlying concern. When identifying signs of concerns, look for extremes: high or low activity level, overly sensitive to touch or always touching others, constant mouthing of objects or limited food repertoire, poor body awareness/ clumsiness, difficulty calming down, poor sleep, difficulty with attention span, impulsivity and difficulty with transitions are some examples.
3. What can families do at home to work on sensory skills?
Every child should be provided with a variety of sensory opportunities as a part of supporting typical development. Children learn best when they can actively engage in their world, and hands-on learning is best. It's great to let children get messy, experiment with movement, experiment with making sounds with instruments and their mouths, get involved in food preparation, etc. In my opinion, the more hands-on experiences children get, the better. A therapist or physician should always be consulted prior to using any equipment such as compressive garments and weighted objects.
Kate recommends checking out www.spdstar.org for more information about Sensory Processing Disorder.
"If you can't fly, then run, if you can't run, then walk, if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Author Spotlight
Author Spotlight: Angela Thayer
Angela, a former teacher turned stay at home mom knows how important playing with your children is as they learn and grow. She discusses toddler development and readiness in her book with over 200 fun sensory stimulating activities for you to try at home.
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Kohl Children's Museum Everyone at Play
Families in Early intervention can attend this free morning of play for families and children with special needs. Come explore and play with the 17 different exhibits. The first 2 hours are for Everyone at Play guests only. You can stay all day without having to pay. Registration is required with Cori by calling (847) 832-6875 or email cpaulsrud@kcmgc.org.
Dates: 2019 - 1/13, 2/17, 5/19, 6/23
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
More info »
Look for the Early Intervention Activity Table on February 17.
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C.I.T.Y. of Support: Children in Therapy and You
Founded by a Speech and Language therapist committed to helping families with a child in therapy with or without a diagnosis support each other.
Website: https://cityofsupport.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/900106993374346/
Library Story Times
Check out your local library’s story times for children under 3 years of age. Many libraries offer weekday morning, evening and weekend story times. Remember it is not always easy for a little one to sit, participate and listen for the entire time. If your child only last for a few minutes, that is okay. Maybe the next time he/she will be able to stay a few minutes longer. Need help finding your local library, contact your Early Intervention Parent Liaison, Melissa Carnes at mcarnes@lakecountyil.gov or (847)377-8923.
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Oatmeal Play Dough
1 part flour (1 cup)
2 parts oatmeal (2 cups)
1 part water (1 cup)
Mix ingredients together and form into shapes.
Note: The items made from this play dough recipe can be painted when they are dry.
Check out more edible paly dough recipes at www.FamilyCorner.com.
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Please RSVP Melissa at mcarnes@lakecountyil.gov or (847) 377-8923 if you plan to attend.
TreeHouse in Lake Zurich
Date: Saturday, January 12
Time: 9:00-10:00 am (Private Play for EI Families)
Address: 985 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich
Details: Climb and Explore with your child. You can stay and play after the doors open to the public at 10am. (No Outside Food or Drink)
Cost: $11 per child, adults free
Jacob Duman Early Childhood Center at Lake County JCC
Date: Thursday, January 24
Time: 10:00-11:00 am (Private Play for EI Families)
Address: 23280 N. Old McHenry Rd., Lake Zurich
Info: Explore the baby and toddler friendly play area together. Meet other parents in Early Intervention.
Cost: Free
Zion Park District Open Gym
Date: Saturday, February 2
Time: 10:30-11:30 (Private Play for EI Families)
Address: 240 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion
Info: We can build a play area using the Imagination Playground. Have fun crawling, running climbing and jumping inside where it is warm.
Cost: Free
Rainbow Play Illinois
Date: Wednesday, February 6
Time: 10:00-11:00 (Private Play for EI Families)
Address: 300 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills
Info: This amazing showroom is ready for safe climbing, swinging and sliding all indoors!
Cost: $7 per child
The Gym Spot for Gymnastics
Date: Wednesday, March 13
Time: 9:00- 10:00 am (Private Play for EI Families)
Address: 915 Tower Road, Mundelein
Info: The toddler/preschool gymnastics coach will set up a fun toddler and crawler friendly obstacle course you explore with your little one.
Cost: $5 per child
Please join us at a Library Playgroup. The EI Parent Liaison has teamed with local libraries to host a playgroup for you and other library members. Creative toys and fun activities will be provided.
January:
15th Warren Newport Library, Gurnee Baby Play Day 10-11 am
30th Vernon Area Library, Lincolnshire Baby Playgroup 10-11 am
February:
21st Grayslake Library, Grayslake Playgroup 10-11 am
March:
5th Aspen Branch Cook Memorial Library, Vernon Hills Playgroup 9:30-10:30 am
15th Ela Library, Lake Zurich Playgroup 10-11am
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