If you’re a parent or caregiver of a child with sensory processing disorder (SPD), you may be curious about how to better support them mentally, emotionally and physically. Since every child is different, it can take time to figure out the best ways to help them and what accommodations each kid actually needs. While it may be difficult, that doesn’t mean impossible — as long as you have the right resources and a supportive care team.
“Children with SPD should receive individualized and tailored support catering to their unique sensory needs to foster their growth and enable them to reach their full potential,” says Daniel Rinaldi, a therapist and life coach in Sterling, Massachusetts. “By understanding and addressing their specific sensitivities, we can create environments that empower these children to thrive and participate fully in daily activities, giving opportunities for their development and well-being.”
It’s important for parents and caregivers to understand how best to individually support a child with SPD. To help make the process easier, we spoke with occupational therapists and other experts about the signs of sensory processing disorder, the different ways it impacts kids and how to best support a child with their sensory needs.
What is sensory processing disorder?
“Sensory Processing Disorder is a condition in which the brain has a hard time receiving and processing information,” says Crystal Britt, a therapist and the founder of Get Psyched Therapy and Coaching. “This can range from hypersensitivity to sound, touch, taste or movement to hyposensitivity [an absence of sensory feedback]. There’s a spectrum of variation in each person who experiences it.”
There is no single cause for sensory processing disorder. It is believed to be a complex condition with many factors that contribute to its development. According to Rinaldi, these factors may include:
- Genetics.
- Neurological development.
- Premature or low birth weight.
- Environmental factors.
It’s important to note that sensory processing disorder isn’t recognized by the American Psychological Association as a stand-alone disorder, but as a subset of symptoms that some people, especially children, may experience.
How does sensory processing disorder impact kids?
Not every child with sensory processing disorder will experience the same set of symptoms or behaviors. According to Rinaldi, there are the three main patterns of SPD:
Sensory over-responsivity
“Sensory over-responsivity (often called sensory defensive) refers to when children are highly sensitive to sensory stimuli,” says Rinaldi. “They may have exaggerated or negative reactions to sensory input that others find tolerable.” Examples of this may include heightened reactions to bright lights, loud noises, certain clothing textures or strong odors.
Sensory under-responsivity
Sensory under-responsivity, also known as sensory passive, refers to children with a reduced response to sensory input. “They may appear unresponsive or have difficulty noticing or processing certain stimuli,” says Rinaldi. For example, a child with sensory under-responsivity might not react appropriately to a very loud noise or noxious smell which others may find disturbing or repulsive.
Sensory seeking
The last type of SPD is sensory seeking, also known as sensory craving. “Children with sensory seeking SPD may actively seek out intense sensory experiences,” says Rinaldi. “For example, they may have a constant need for movement, touch or other forms of sensory input to regulate their arousal levels.”
What are the symptoms of sensory processing disorder?
The signs of sensory processing disorder can become noticeable at any time, but typically show up during developmental milestones. “During developmental milestones, children acquire various skills contributing to their overall growth and well-being,” says Rinaldi. “However, children with potential SPD may exhibit differences in their responses to these milestones.”
For example, Rinaldi says that a child with motor-based SPD may struggle with gross motor skills like balancing, jumping or catching a ball. They may appear clumsy or need more help coordinating movements in comparison to their peers.
According to the experts, other symptoms of sensory processing disorder may include:
- Low tolerance for certain textures, sounds, smells or movements.
- Lack of responsiveness to sensory stimuli.
- Communication difficulties.
- High anxiety levels.
- Social withdrawal.
Some parents wonder whether sensory processing disorder is the same thing as attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). SPD doesn’t compare to conditions like ADHD or autism, but rather is a factor often seen under these diagnoses.
“Some individuals with SPD may meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD, and vice versa,” says Rinaldi. “In such cases, a comprehensive evaluation by qualified professionals is necessary to assess and address the individual’s specific needs and challenges across multiple domains of functioning.”
How to help kids with sensory processing disorder
If you’re wondering how to better support a child with sensory processing disorder, then there are a few things experts say you can do:
1. Connect the child with an occupational therapist
Aside from a pediatrician, an occupational therapist (OT) can provide unique support for a child with sensory processing disorder. According to Vicky Robinson, a children’s occupational therapist and founder of The Sensory Hub, OTs provide personalized interventions to help kids thrive in their daily activities and environments, including:
- Specialized therapy.
- Self-regulation techniques.
- Help with motor skill development.
- Sensory diets.
- Parent education.
“Occupational therapists use sensory integration therapy, a play-based approach, to expose the child to different sensory experiences in a controlled and supportive environment,” Robinson explains. “This helps the child’s brain process and respond to sensory stimuli more effectively.”
2. Try out new sensory activities
Robinson recommends providing your child with sensory activities to help them build skills in a safe and relaxed environment. “The key is to create a positive and supportive environment that encourages sensory exploration, allowing children to have fun while developing essential sensory processing skills,” she explains.
To help children explore different textures, she recommends:
- Finger painting.
- Playing with sand.
- Water play.
- Activities with playdough.
Physical activities can help engage the whole body and support sensory processing. Some popular activities for kids that Robinson says offer these benefits include:
- Swinging on swings or hammocks.
- Jumping on a trampoline.
- Jumping onto crash mats or pillows.
- Dancing.
- Doing yoga.
- Taking “animal walks” (e.g. a bear crawl or frog jump).
3. Seek support from other parents, caregivers and available networks
It requires a lot of time and emotional investment to support kids with learning differences and sensory needs, so turn to others who understand for advice, tips and support.
Michelle L., a mom of two children with sensory processing disorder, says support groups have been extremely helpful for her. “We found a local one through Facebook where we can connect with other families and kiddos with sensory issues,” she explains.
Aside from support groups, there are also resources available online to seek out information and advice. The Center for Inclusive Child Care has a page dedicated to resources for parents and caregivers with links to podcasts, websites, tip sheets and experts that they can reference for help and support.
4. Provide the child with resources to help them succeed
While the above sensory activities can be beneficial for many children, Robinson encourages parents to tailor interventions to their child’s specific preferences and sensitivities.
For example, if a child has sensitivity to loud noises, then provide them with ear plugs. For those who need sensory stimulation, offer them a fidget toy that they can use whether that’s in the car, in class or while out and about.
5. Collaborate to support kids in every setting
To help a child with a sensory processing disorder, Robinson says parents should take an integrative approach and involve all of the important individuals in the child’s support network. This includes caregivers, teachers and anyone else responsible for the child’s care.
Robinson suggests developing a collaborative plan with input from all involved parties to support the child’s needs. Parents should offer resources and guidance to caregivers and teachers to help them better understand and meet the child’s sensory needs. They should also regularly update caregivers and teachers about any changes in a child’s sensory requirements and progress and ask for changes to be made to their plan to reflect these.
Lastly, she adds, parents and caregivers should set up regular communication to exchange updates and discuss strategies. This could be in person, by email or phone or using a communication book that goes between home and school or daycare. “Involving parents, caregivers and teachers in the child’s therapy is crucial for consistent support and progress,” says Robinson. “Collaborating with the child’s support network can help create a holistic approach to address sensory challenges both at home and in educational settings.”
