Understanding Sensory Processing in Children: An Occupational Therapy Perspective

Sensory processing is the brain’s ability to receive, interpret, and respond to sensory information from the environment. For children, this process is fundamental to navigating the world around them, allowing them to play, learn, and interact with others. However, some children experience challenges with sensory processing, leading to sensory sensitivities or difficulties in daily functioning. From an occupational therapy perspective, addressing sensory processing issues is key to supporting children in reaching their developmental milestones and improving their quality of life.

What is Sensory Processing?

Sensory processing refers to the way the brain organizes and makes sense of sensory input, including touch, sound, sight, taste, smell, movement (vestibular), body position (proprioception), and body signals (interoception). These sensory systems work together to help children understand their environment and respond appropriately. For example, a child uses their tactile sense to feel the texture of a toy, their vestibular system to balance while walking, and their auditory system to hear instructions from a teacher.

Children with typical sensory processing can filter and integrate this information smoothly, allowing them to remain calm, focused, and adaptive. However, for children with sensory processing challenges, these everyday experiences may feel overwhelming or confusing, leading to difficulties in managing their emotions, behaviors, and interactions. Have you ever turned your radio down so you could “see” street signs better when following directions? This can be a small glimpse into what it is like for a child who cannot filter sensory information throughout their entire day.

Signs of Sensory Processing Challenges in Children

Sensory processing challenges can manifest in a variety of ways, and children may either seek out or avoid sensory input. Common signs of sensory processing difficulties include:

• Sensory Seeking Behaviors: Some children actively seek out sensory stimulation. They might crave movement (running, jumping, spinning, rough play), or enjoy strong sensory experiences like deep pressure or loud sounds. These children may appear fidgety or hyperactive as they constantly look for ways to engage their sensory systems.

• Sensory Avoidant Behaviors: On the other hand, some children are hypersensitive to sensory stimuli and try to avoid certain experiences. They may cover their ears in response to loud noises, dislike certain textures of clothing, or become overwhelmed by bright lights or busy environments. These children may withdraw, become irritable, or even exhibit meltdowns when they experience sensory overload.

• Interoceptive Challenges: Children with poor interoception may struggle to recognize internal body signals. This could lead to toileting accidents, overeating or undereating, difficulty recognizing when they are tired, or trouble understanding their emotional states.

The Impact of Sensory Processing on Daily Activities

Sensory processing difficulties can significantly impact a child's ability to participate in everyday activities. Here are some common areas of life where sensory processing issues may arise:

1. School and Learning

Children with sensory challenges may have difficulty focusing and attending to tasks in the classroom. For example, a child who is hypersensitive to sound might struggle to concentrate because of background noise, a child who is a sensory seeker may have trouble sitting still during lessons, while a child who has difficulty with interoception may not recognize when they need a break or have trouble regulating emotions like frustration or excitement. These challenges can affect academic performance and social interactions with peers.

2. Play and Recreation

Play is essential for a child’s development, but sensory processing issues can limit their engagement in play activities. A child who avoids certain textures may refuse to participate in finger painting or playing in the sandbox, while a sensory-seeking child may play too roughly or intensely, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts with other children. Additionally, children with poor interoceptive awareness may find it difficult to recognize when they are hungry, thirsty, or tired during play, affecting their ability to self-regulate and stay engaged.

3. Self-Care and Daily Routines

Children with sensory processing challenges may struggle with everyday tasks like dressing, eating, or toileting. For example, a child with tactile sensitivities may refuse to wear certain clothing due to discomfort with the fabric, a child with proprioceptive challenges may have difficulty with tasks that require coordinated movement, while a child with interoceptive difficulties may not recognize the need to use the bathroom until it’s too late or may struggle to understand when they feel full during meals.

4. Social and Emotional Development

Sensory processing challenges can affect a child's emotional regulation and social interactions. A child who is overwhelmed by sensory input may have frequent tantrums or meltdowns, while another child may avoid group activities or struggle to form relationships with peers due to anxiety around sensory-rich environments. Interoceptive difficulties can also make it hard for a child to understand and express their emotions, leading to frustration or difficulty connecting with others.

Occupational Therapy’s Role in Sensory Processing

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in helping children with sensory processing difficulties. OT’s work with children and their families to identify sensory challenges and develop personalized strategies to improve their ability to function in daily life. Here’s how occupational therapy can support children with sensory processing challenges:

1. Sensory Integration Therapy

One of the primary approaches used in occupational therapy is sensory integration (SI) therapy, which helps children process sensory information more effectively. Through carefully structured activities, OT’s provide children with the sensory input they need to improve their ability to respond to their environment in a more adaptive way. Activities may involve swinging, balancing, jumping, and using textured materials to help the child’s sensory system organize and respond appropriately.

2. Sensory Diets

A sensory diet is a personalized plan of sensory activities designed to help children achieve optimal sensory regulation throughout the day. Like nutrition, children with sensory needs benefit from regular “doses” of sensory input, such as deep pressure input (e.g., bear hugs), proprioceptive exercises (e.g., pushing heavy objects), or calming activities (e.g., slow rocking), depending on the child’s needs. Sensory diets help children stay focused, calm, and attentive.

3. Interoception-Focused Activities

For children with interoception challenges, occupational therapists may use activities that enhance body awareness, such as mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, and body scanning. These activities help children tune in to their internal cues, learning to recognize signs of hunger, fullness, or needing to use the bathroom. Over time, these activities can improve self-regulation and emotional awareness.

4. Environmental Modifications

OT’s also work to modify the child’s environment to reduce sensory triggers and enhance their comfort and performance. This could include adjusting lighting, reducing noise, providing sensory-friendly seating options, or using visual aids. For example, in a classroom, a child might benefit from noise-canceling headphones or a quiet corner where they can take breaks to avoid sensory overload. This can also include reminders to help them track their body’s internal needs, such as scheduled bathroom breaks or hydration reminders.

5. Emotional and Self-Regulation Support

Occupational therapists help children develop emotional regulation strategies and learn how to identify when they are becoming overwhelmed by sensory input. This might involve using calming techniques, such as deep breathing or using fidget toys, to self-soothe in stressful environments. For children with interoception challenges, OTs work on teaching children to recognize and manage their emotions by linking feelings to physical sensations, helping them better navigate emotional and sensory responses.

6. Collaboration with Families and Educators

Occupational therapists collaborate closely with parents, caregivers, and educators to ensure that the child’s sensory needs are supported across different environments. Parents are often taught strategies to implement at home, such as using sensory-friendly clothing or creating quiet spaces. Teachers are provided with tools and adaptations to help the child succeed in school, such as flexible seating options or structured sensory breaks during the day.

How Occupational Therapy Transforms Lives

For children with sensory processing difficulties, occupational therapy can be life-changing. By improving a child’s ability to process and respond to sensory input, OT enhances their capacity to participate in everyday activities, develop social relationships, and manage their emotions. Over time, children learn to better regulate their sensory responses, which leads to increased independence, confidence, and overall well-being.

Moreover, occupational therapy provides families with the knowledge and tools they need to support their child’s sensory needs. With the right strategies, families can create a more harmonious home environment and help their child thrive in school, play, and social settings.

Conclusion

Sensory processing is a foundational skill that impacts every aspect of a child’s life. When children struggle with sensory processing, it can create barriers to their development, independence, and participation in everyday activities. However, with the help of occupational therapy, children can learn to navigate their sensory and internal worlds with greater ease, confidence, and success. Occupational therapists play a vital role in helping children process sensory information effectively, providing individualized interventions that support sensory regulation, emotional well-being, and daily functioning.

By addressing sensory processing challenges early, occupational therapy empowers children to reach their full potential, enabling them to engage meaningfully in life’s many experiences.

If this resonated with you and your experience with your child, an occupational therapist skilled in sensory processing may be just what your child needs to not only survive, but truly thrive in their everyday lives. You can read more about sensory processing on our website, and book a call with our team today to get started.