Sensory processing is the way that our brain sorts out sensory information so we understand the world and can manage our everyday life.
For most children the development of their sensory processing (sometimes called integration) occurs as part of our normal development and they learn to respond appropriately to sounds, smells, and movement.
We all have some sensory processing differences. For example, some of us like very strong tastes and smells and others avoid them. Some people enjoy roller coaster rides whilst others would avoid even a merry-go-round. As long as we can manage to take part in the things we want and need to do these sensory processing differences don’t matter or need support.
For some children their sensory development is delayed or disordered, and they struggle to take part in everyday childhood occupations. For example, they are so distressed by noise they can’t go to a friend’s party or they hit out when someone brushes up against them as they experience it as painful.
Parent sensory workshop
Welcome to this Sensory processing workshop provided by Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust.
The workshop is divided into three sections:
- Introduction to sensory processing
- The senses
- Strategies
Introduction to sensory processing
The senses
Strategies
You are free to watch any of the sections as many times as is helpful.
The idea of the strategies is to enable your child to engage in their daily activities and routines by doing something differently. As Laura says in the video, "you know your child best" and by trying out one strategy at a time you will be able to monitor how these have or have not helped. It takes time for strategies to take effect, and then embedded into the daily routine.
All of us have different levels of tolerating and responding to sensations from the world around us, this is usual and what makes us unique. The aim of the workshop is to help you to better understand your child’s sensory processing preferences and challenges so that you can support them at home, at school, and in the community.
Once you have watched the workshop it is important that you try out strategies and adjustments that you think might help your child. If you think your child might need further support from an occupational therapist you will need to keep a record of the ways you have tried to support your child’s sensory processing over a period of at least three months. This is because it takes time for change to happen and whilst some strategies might have an immediate impact on your child’s abilities to take part in activities, others might take longer.
e-Learning
A 30 minute talk by an occupational therapist about sensory processing and how differences in sensory processing can impact your child's behaviour at home and school. There is some e-learning at the end of the talk for you to have a go at if you'd like to.
- Sensory processing e-learning (Please note this workshop only works in Google Chrome).
Useful websites and apps
- Growing hands on kids website - a website with ideas videos and information to support a child’s development. Some useful information videos.
- OT Plan website - website with activities to support a child’s development. Choose by skill and activity.
- Pinterest - lots of fun sensory activity ideas for home.
- Sensory Smarts website - website with free advice and resources related to book, ‘Raising a Sensory Smart Child’.
- The Inspired Treehouse website - sensory ideas to help children pay attention.
- Centre for Autism Middletown website - strategies according to sense information.
- ARFID Awareness UK website - the UK’s only registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and furthering information about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. As a not-for-profit, they work to provide individuals, parents, carers, and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research, and support.