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Part of our role as occupational therapists is creating ‘sensory diets’ of tools that assist with keeping kids regulated.
Interoception is known as the 8th sensory system. It helps us to tune into our inner body signals to determine how we might be feeling. These signals may vary in intensity and are experienced differently by everyone.
What is sensory processing in the classroom?
Sensory processing is different for every child. Some children can become overloaded to the point they are seeking input such as fidgeting, leaving the work space or invading other peoples spaces. Other children may feel over loaded by avoiding further input, so they may hide under the desk, look away during instruction or have trouble initiating work.
As Occupational Therapist’s we support children with many areas of skill development including self-care skills, social skills, sensory regulation skills and fine/gross motor skills. The main daily occupation children need to participate and develop skills in, is play.
Christmas day and its celebrations can be fraught with many emotions ranging from elation and laughter, to tears and tantrums. For our clients it can be even more challenging to cope with due to sensory sensitivities and eating challenges. Meeting and greeting relatives, eating strange food at unfamiliar places, and travelling by car or plane can be a source of overload. Planning ahead may help ease the challenge.
Have you noticed the ‘silly season’ has begun? Car parks are busier, shopping centres are noisier and brighter, and everyone is rushing! Add to this some end of year fatigue and some sensory processing challenges….it’s a recipe for a huge MELTDOWN.