Sensory Processing
Sensory Processing is the way in which our nervous system receives and integrates information form our 8 senses in order to produce appropriate motor and behavioural responses. We have 8 senses:
Auditory: the system responsible for processing sound.
Visual: the system responsible for seeing.
Olfactory: the system responsible to smell.
Taste: The system responsible for taste.
Tactile: the system responsible for touch.
Interoception: The system responsible for us feeling and understanding what is going on inside our body. It is essential for such things as hunger, thirst, toileting and plays a large role in self-regulation.
Vestibular: this system provides us with our sense of balance and orientation in space. It keeps us up against gravity. Information arises from the inner ear.
Proprioception the system responsible for knowing where our body is in our environment. Information comes from our joints, tendons and muscles.
Differences in sensory processing (sometimes referred to as Sensory Processing Disorder) can occurs when the sensory information or signals are not received in an organized manner. The child then struggles to produce an appropriate motor or behavioural response. Children can be sensitive to input, seek input or have difficulties modulating the input. Most commonly, children are sensitive to some input and seek other input all in an attempt to feel organized.
If you feel your child has differences in sensory processing that are impacting their daily functioning at home, school, with their friends or with their family, feel free to email or call Sprout for further information or book an appointment.