An exploration of the senses.
At SRW IT IS OUR PASSION TO SUPPORT YOU. We understand our complex sensory systems and how they impact us in our everyday functioning. Sensory processing issues occur in individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder, and often affect individuals on the Autism spectrum or with ADHD.
When you have sensory processing difficulties, processing everyday life can be tricky and frustrating. By regulating your senses, you can understand and organise incoming sensory information, such as the sounds, smells, sights and physical feelings of things around you. For example, background voices in a study or café setting, a school bell ringing, loud music, bright lights at the supermarket, smelly items (such as hand soaps in a shop), or kids running around at the park.
We are unable to give goal orientated and planned reactions towards stimuli, if the incoming sensory information is unorganised. Ultimately, we use our senses to gather and respond to information about our environment, which plays an important role in our survival.
SRW products have been scientifically shown to support learning and processing multiple sources of information; regulating senses; developing muscle tone, fine and gross motor skills; and behavioural and other developmental challenges. All of which are essential in supporting ease and enjoyment when navigating your environment, regulating emotions, positive behaviours and social skills, learning and concentration, and ultimately improving overall wellbeing.
WHAT DO SENSORY IRREGULARITIES LOOK LIKE?
“Sensory Avoiders”
Hyper-responsive (also known as over-responsive or hypersensitivity) – The slightest movement, sound, or touch could send a sensory avoider into a negative behaviour response.
“Sensory Seekers”
Hypo-responsive (also known as hyposensitivity)
Is when you do not receive enough sensory input and are constantly looking for it to get to that “just-right” level of arousal. You are not able to focus or attend to a task until you are at that just-right level which can impact your behaviours.
“Under Responsive”
Is when you exhibit a diminished response to sensory input. More sensory input is needed than for the average person in order to get a response. It can look like you are “tired” or “lazy”.
Each sensory system has a “hyper” or “hypo” or “under” type of response.
You might notice that the type of response depends on the activity (especially if it is a new experience that is interesting, versus something that you have experienced before). It is also common for the same person to be hyper-responsive to some of the sensory systems and hypo-responsive or under-responsive to others.
Sensory overload happens when the body is unable to process, organise, and respond to all of the incoming sensory input. Although this can happen to anyone, it is more common if you have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or sensory regulation issues.
For people with significant sensory processing issues, sensory perceptions can become frightening or even painful and can lead to high anxiety and significant meltdowns.
If you are unsure about your own or a loved one’s sensory profile, muscle tone, or fine and gross motor skills, please visit our ASK A PROFESSIONAL tab at the bottom of the page. It has been our passion for two decades to support clients with their sensory processing, and the behaviours, thoughts and emotions related to this. Or you may like to contact us directly on (07) 54461959 or info@spectrumpsychologycentre.com.au.
As a guide:
There are a wide variety of symptoms that have been found to be associated with sensory overload. These symptoms can occur in both children and adults.
If you or a loved one has trouble in any of the below categories it is recommended that you seek professional opinion.
· Thinking
o Complaining of not being able to think clearly especially in busy environments
o Struggling to concentrate, especially in crowded and/or noisy environments (e.g., classroom, playground, or supermarket).
· Emotions
o Irritability
o Anger outbursts
o Frequent overexcitment
o Anxious, especially in busy environments (e.g., shopping mall, the park, conferences, school playground).
· Behaviour
o Self-harming
o Extremely high or extremely low activity levels
o Fidgeting and restlessness
o Sleeplessness and fatigue.
· Sensory Processing
o Covering eyes around bright lights. Particularly sensitive towards florescent lights at the supermarket or shopping mall
o Making poor eye contact
o Covering ears to close out sounds or voices
o Unusual sensory seeking behaviour such as sniffing objects or staring intently at moving objects
o Display self-stimulatory behaviours, such as tapping temples, flapping hands, and bouncing on toes
o Constantly changing activities without completing any tasks
o Irritation caused by shoes, socks, tags, or different textures (e.g., sand)
o Over-sensitivity towards touch, movement, sights, or sounds
o Avoiding touching or being touched
o Complaining about noises that do not affect others,
such as hair dryers, ticking clocks, or the ceiling fan
o Fussy with foods (tastes and textures)
o Often on the move or have a need to move even with quiet-time activities, such as reading
o Become so intensely engaged with a favourite sensation or activity that they may not detect danger.
· Social Interactions
o "Shutting down", or refusing to participate in activities and interact with others
o Having trouble with social interactions
o Having a ‘social hang-over’. Is very tired and worn out after busy social events.
· Play
o Resistance towards certain objects
o Complaining that toys have a particular feeling and resistance to touch certain things
o Flits from activity to activity.
· Gross Motor Skills
o Clumsy when running, kicking or catching a ball
o Trouble riding a bike or swimming.
· Fine Motor Skills
o Difficulties with handwriting, tying shoelaces, and doing up buttons.
Muscle Tension
Low Muscle Tone
o Easily tiring when doing small amounts of low impact fitness (e.g., going for a short walk)
o Complaining of sore legs
o Poor posture (e.g., slouching)
o Frequently laying over other people or furniture
Hyperhidrosis (extreme perspiration)
