Childhood Sensory Disorders through Occupational Therapy

Sensory input is everywhere: whether it’s the light in a doctor’s office, the sound of a flushing toilet, the tag on a sweater, the motion in a car, or the smell of hand sanitizer. Difficulties in processing environmental sensory information can limit a child’s participation in everyday activities. The child may avoid certain activities that cause sensory overload or actively seek out certain stimuli.

Does my child have sensory challenges?

Sensory information processing refers to the brain’s ability to take in sensory input from the environment, process and organize it to produce a response that allows the body to function effectively and efficiently. The child can then produce an appropriate response to their situation.

Difficulties in processing sensory information may include hyper- or hypo-reactivity to certain stimuli, difficulties interpreting internal body signals, and discriminating external stimuli. These difficulties can be grouped into four main categories: sensory reactivity, sensory discrimination and perception, vestibular function, and praxis.

Several signs may indicate sensory differences, such as: morning dressing routines being difficult, hair washing becoming a crisis, excessive fear of playground equipment, difficulty completing schoolwork when there’s noise, avoiding certain social activities, etc.

Possible Consequences of Sensory Processing Particularities

Difficulties in processing sensory information impact physiological, cognitive, motor, and emotional functions, thereby limiting social interactions and participation in daily life activities. For example:

• Motor consequences: coordination difficulties, clumsiness, poor posture, motor planning issues, etc.
• Behavioral consequences: impulsivity, attention difficulties, aggression, discomfort, crying, low self-esteem, etc.
• Social consequences: social isolation, difficulty in interactions, noticeable discomfort during social activities, etc.

How Can Occupational Therapy Help with Sensory Processing?

An occupational therapist can assess sensory particularities to clarify the child’s profile. Occupational therapists focus on the impact of these particularities on the child’s engagement and performance in daily tasks and meaningful activities. Sensory processing difficulties can hinder the child’s participation in activities, making it hard to produce an appropriate response. The occupational therapist, in collaboration with the child and family, can find solutions to modify activities, identify strategies to help the child function better in their environment and regulate sensory development; enabling participation.

Intervention Strategies

Goals vary depending on the functional impact of sensory processing difficulties. For example:

• Within two months, my child will use two sensory strategies to prevent overloads during the day without adult reminders.
• Within two months, my child will dress in the morning without signs of discomfort within the expected time frame.
• Within three months, my child will attend their cousin’s birthday party without becoming disorganized during group activities (e.g., when the children sing “Happy Birthday”).

Clinic interventions are based on sensory integration approaches and may include motor courses, park outings, coaching, role-playing, exposure to various sensory stimuli, task modifications, and more. Swimming can also be used as a therapeutic modality.

Next Steps

Early and adequate support for sensory particularities in children optimizes their participation and long-term well-being. If you have concerns about your child’s sensory responses, consult an occupational therapist for tailored advice to meet their needs. 

Sources:

1. Allen S, Knott FJ, Branson A, Lane SJ. Coaching Parents of Children with Sensory Integration Difficulties: A Scoping Review. Occup Ther Int. 2021 Jun 17;2021:6662724. doi: 10.1155/2021/6662724. PMID: 34239407; PMCID: PMC8225452.
2. Camarata, S., Miller, L. J., & Wallace, M. T. (2020). Evaluating Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Treatment: Issues and Analysis. Frontiers in integrative neuroscience, 14, 556660. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2020.556660
3. O’Brien, J. C., & Kuhaneck, H. (2019). Case-Smith’s Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. 
4. Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec. (2024). Guide des activités professionnelles de l’ergothérapeute. https://www.oeq.org/DATA/ACTUALITE/54~v~27025_oeq_gape_v2couleur.pdf 
5. Pfeiffer B, May-Benson TA, Bodison SC. State of the Science of Sensory Integration Research With Children and Youth. Am J Occup Ther. 2018 Jan/Feb;72(1):7201170010p1-7201170010p4. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2018.721003. PMID: 29280710.