We all have our sensory likes and dislikes. Oftentimes this is more evident in children due to sensory processing challenges, or difficulty with receiving, organizing, or responding to sensory information.

Typically we see there is a problem through the last step in sensory processing, the response. 

Here is a story to help paint the picture…

Tommy’s mom puts him in a new shirt and instantly he begins to scream and pull at the shirt. After helping Tommy calm down, she realizes that the tag was itchy and bothering him. She trims the tag and Tommy is able to go on with his day.

The next day Tommy’s dad takes him to the swimming pool. They haven’t been since last summer and Tommy is older now, so his dad is hoping for a fun day! While they are playing, Tommy’s dad teaches him how to blow bubbles in the water.

Tommy hesitates, attempts to place his face in the water, and then screams while quickly wiping his eyes and head. He is unable to recover and they have to leave the pool.

Tommy’s response to sensory inputs tells us that he’s not interpreting them correctly. It is most likely that Tommy has a sensitivity to tactile (or touch) sensory input and he is over-responsive, which is evident by his behavior. 

Children can be sensitive or over-responsive to many types of sensory input. These are some of the examples I see most in my practice.

Sensitivity to: 

• Clothing textures 
• Food textures
• Sounds (public restrooms, airplanes, sports events, birthday parties) 
• Lots of people around them 
• Having hair cut or styled 
• Putting sunscreen on 
• Messy play
• Playground equipment or swinging 
• Bright lights 
• Lying on their back for diaper changes 
• Bathtime or putting their head underwater
• Getting their face or hands wiped off
• New or unfamiliar environments 

If your child struggles with any of these things as well, I would love to offer personalized suggestions for your child and family.

I enjoy working through the challenges of sensory processing to help your child better interact with their environment. Book a free 15-minute call with me here!