Avoiding behaviours (over-responsiveness): covers ears, becomes distressed by certain sounds, strong emotions to certain sounds, high pitched noises can irritate, avoids certain noises, can cry, scream or become angry to sudden noises. Seeking behaviours (under-responsiveness): likes loud noise, can be loud themselves, can be calmed by certain music, puts music toys to ears, prefers louder music, likes familiar sounds such as water running. Arousing options: loud noises, sudden sounds, sound machines, high pitch, too much background noise, irregular sounds, musical instruments. Calming options: quiet spaces, low tones, soft music, rhythmical sounds or music, background noise if predictable, pre-recorded books, ear muffs, musical instruments, matching sound games. Gustatory/taste This sense provides information about the different tastes of foods and sends these messages to the brain. Avoiding behaviours (over responsiveness): avoids certain textures and foods, can have issues around swallowing and chewing, avoid mushy foods, may drool, gag or choke often. Seeking behaviours (under responsiveness): bites frequently, often mouth non-food items, may only like particular foods. Calming options: drink through a straw, a chew necklace, blowing bubbles. Arousing options: eating crunchy food, crackers, sour/bitter/spicy or salty foods. Olfactory/Smell This is our sense of smell and also influences taste. Avoiding behaviours (over responsiveness): avoids certain smells, avoids food due to smell, being too close to people, can become frustrated or agitated by smells, says other people smell, may not want to go to public places. Seeking behaviours (under responsiveness): likes smells that may seem odd, smells objects constantly, may eat things that have a certain smell that isn’t safe to eat, prefers foods with certain smells, like strong scents, may not notice certain smells, smells people. Calming and arousing options: strong smells/scents, scented playdough, scented fidget toys, smell activities, different flavoured foods, removing or introducing new smells, having a cloth or tissue with familiar smells, removing trigger smells. Vestibular/movement This is our sense of balance and motion facilitating awareness of the body’s position in relation to its surroundings. Vestibular input can produce a variety of responses such as calming, organising, alerting or disorganising depending on the type of movement and sensitivity of the individual. Avoiding behaviours (over responsiveness): scared of movement activities, dislikes being upside down, appears clumsy or uncoordinated, sometimes stubborn, avoids stairs or holds tight to hand or rail, may not like playgrounds. Seeking behaviours (under responsiveness): Unable to sit still, can be impulsive, runs instead of walking, constantly moving – fidgeting, swaying, rocking, may not want to sit, rather climb or hang on a chair, can take risks that are unsafe. Proprioceptive Proprioceptive sensors are in the joints and tendons and enable a person to know the location of each part of the body and how it is moving. It is activated any time we push or pull on objects as well as any time the joints are compressed together or stretched apart (such as jumping up and down or hanging on the monkey bars). Proprioceptive input tends to have a calming and organising effect on the body, particularly when feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed. Avoiding behaviours (over responsiveness): appears lazy or lethargic, a fussy eater, likes to sit still, can appear clumsy or uncoordinated, avoids touch from others, needs visual cures for familiar activities, fine motor skills are messy, unable to focus attention on two things such as listen and look. Seeking behaviours (under responsiveness): walks into objects/people, overly aggressive – physical, stomping, pushing, poor body awareness, chews on objects like clothing or pencils, likes light clothing, can kick, bite, hit, unaware of personal space. Calming options for both proprioceptive and vestibular: wobble boards, scooter boards, slinkys, squishy balls, rocking, swinging side to side rather than forward and back, jumping on a tramp alone, bouncing, moving heavy objects, rhythmic movements, yoga, climbing, running, skipping, kicking, hitting balls, chewing, blowing or sucking. Arousing options for both proprioceptive and vestibular: quick changes in direction, spinning, bouncing and jumping, chasing games, irregular movements, yoga, sitting still, being restrained in a car seat, objects that make noise, running, kicking, hitting balls, chewing. When we can tailor support for children through their senses and support focus and concentration or know what to do if a child appears fatigue or slow to move we can help eliminate or minimise children’s sensory processing so they can continue to participate in everyday activities. But first you need to understand what sensory processing is, observe the child carefully – what do they seek or avoid and what do you need to do help children to eliminate or minimise their sensory needs? When you try a sensory intervention, it’s important to watch carefully how a child engages with the sensory support and what they need more of or less of to support and tailor for their individual needs. December 2023 { 35 }
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