Sensory Processing Disorder exists when sensory signals are not organized and interpreted appropriately. The resulting responses may be inappropriate, disrupting the child’s ability to function optimally. This child may have difficulty learning new actions, managing daily living skills or maintaining focus in crowded environments. Eventually this will impact the child’s confidence and socialization and create anxiety and stress.
COMMON SIGNS OF SENSORY DYSFUNCTION:
- acute awareness of background noise ( fan or heater in room)
- extreme dislike of loud noises ( sirens, vacuum cleaners)- may cover ears or wear hoodies all the time
- avoids eye contact or shields eyes from bright light
- picky eater- resists new foods or textures
- sensitive to certain types of clothes or tags and labels
- may be unaware of normal touch or pain and touch others too hard
- may be over sensitive to normal touch and dislike washing or brushing hair
- unusually high or low activity level
- difficulty learning motor skills ( bike riding or running)
- may walk on toes
- fearful of movement or total lack of fear resulting in frequent falls and injuries
- poor fine motor skills like writing or cutting
- have trouble focusing and concentrating
- have difficulty remaining seated for very long- appear to be continually moving
- sucking on sleeve or other items
- difficulty making friends
We all have different thresholds for sensory input.Children with sensory processing disorders often have to overcome sensory inputs in order to remain focused that others may not even be aware of. Very often these children are wrongly diagnosed. Labelling children is not always beneficial to them. Yoga is a self-empowering tool for teaching children strategies that helps them understand and control their own bodies .
ADHD
The typical defining characteristics of children who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder are those that display the classic triad of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. This description fails to add the wide range of possible resulting executive dysfunction. For example, poor self-control and foresight, anxiety, depression and sensory processing disorder.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders are disorders of communication.This means the ability to relate socially and self regulate. Children with Autism frequently exhibit problems in the area of executive function. This refers to the ability to connect past experiences with present action. It is used to pay attention, sequence, strategize, memorize, organize and retrieve information. It is essential in planning and problem solving.It also helps regulate emotions.Many children with autism are unable to predict how others will interpret their comments or behaviours. This can result in misunderstandings and social problems.Children with autism may also experience sensory processing problems.
Anxiety
Stress can be harmful to a child’s wellbeing. Whilst some stress is a normal, promotes healthy development, and even builds resilience, extreme or chronic stress endangers the health of children. When humans feel threatened, their sympathetic nervous system is activated resulting in the release of the hormones adrenalin and cortisol. Their purpose is to prepare the body for ‘fight-or-flight’. The heart beats faster, blood is directed away from the organs to the limbs, breath is rapid and thoughts are fearful.The opposing parasympathetic nervous system, or ‘rest-digest’ is activated when the stress is gone.
A growing number of people struggle with fear in the absence of real danger. This is known as anxiety. Anxiety impacts a child’s ability to participate in appropriate activities with joy. If left untreated, children may develop avoidance behaviours, poor self esteem, personal helplessness and distorted family interactions around the anxiety.