Well-known author of The Out-of-Sync Child series discusses sensory processing, shame, courage, and curiosity with The Sensory Perspective's Sandra Van Nest.
Beginnings as a preschool teacher
An Invisible Disability
Children with sensory processing differences often look like everyone else and often have strengths in specific areas of development. In early childhood, they may seem like they never stop moving or like they are afraid of typical childhood experiences (like the playground), but at the same time, they may be early readers or extremely talented builders.
This can be difficult for adults to understand.
The students who stuck with her.
The Out-of-Sync Child
Children with sensory differences might be unaware of their own boundaries. In a classroom, this means that they cannot sit still easily. They might have a need to touch everything around them, or not notice that they are sitting on top of toys, or need to be very close to another child in order to play with them.
These behaviors are not conscious and happen as the need for sensory input challenges the child's body, but they can be "irksome" to other children and teachers.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists work to help people do what would naturally occupy their time. For children, this is play, school skills, and self care.
Occupational therapy (OT) is crucial to children with sensory differences. OTs will be able to assess sensory differences and how to best support a child's physiological needs.
OTs may create a "sensory diet" for the child to follow throughout the day. Sensory diets are related to prescribed experiences to help a child stay sensory regulated and able to participate.
Occupational Therapy changes her career.
Sensory Systems that impact children in preschool.
Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is ongoing sensory dysregulation that significantly impacts or impairs a person's day-to-day activities. Though not an official diagnosis within the DSM-5 or the ICD-11, the term is used within medical, therapeutic, and educational systems.
An interdisciplinary work group formed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) met for more than two years leading up to the latest revision of the DSM. The work group ultimately recommended that SPD be labeled as a stand-alone diagnosis.
The APA did not accept this recommendation.
The Sensory Perspective
An adult with a calm, regulated body will positively impact children.
~Take time to ensure that your own needs are met.
~Get fresh air, good food, and enough sleep.
~Stay in tune with your sensory system.
The Sensory Perspective
A child with an "irksome" behavior may be experiencing sensory dysregulation.
~He may be seeking additional input by running, climbing, or touching.
~She may be overwhelmed by emotions and need to avoid sensation in order to re-regulate.
~He may not be able to hear instructions because he is distracted by sensory input.
The Sensory Perspective
Coordination and collaboration among a child's caregivers, teachers, and therapists are crucial.
~Parents are the expert on their own child.
~Teachers frame how and what a child learns and have long-term insight into academics.
~Occupational, physical, and speech therapists all assist a child and family in functional skills of specific areas of development.
~Psychotherapists help the child and family "make sense" of sensory differences and handle the emotions that follow.
Attention and Focus
Children with sensory differences often have a difficult time focusing.
Sometimes they can't pay attention to the world around them because they are hyper-focused on internal process (i.e. sensory seeking or sensory avoiding).
Sometimes they can't pay attention because they are hyper-focused on the input of one sensory system (i.e. the sound of the water dripping from a faucet).
To adults, the behaviors of hyper-focus may appear rude or naughty.
The Sensory Perspective on shame.
The Sensory Perspective
There are pros and cons to having a specific diagnosis. By definition, it pathologizes a person's experience.
~PRO: It gives an organically-based explanation for tricky behaviors and limitations, making adults more patient.
~CON: It implies that something is wrong with the way a child experiences the world, leaving
her to feel that she is wrong.
~PRO: It builds a common language to discuss a person's experience so that he and his family may better find community.
~CON: Diagnoses are often stigmatizing and may lead to bias within the educational or community setting.
Finding forgiveness of self in curiosity.
Curiosity
We all do the best we can with what we understand. One tool for helping children be successful is curiosity.
When a child is not successful in a situation, a curious mind will keep reflecting on the whats, whys, and hows of the situation without the need to judge the child or the adult.
This creates a loop of reflection that will facilitate the child's success and the adult's toolbox to handle whatever happens next.
The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up
As a child grows up, she can explain more readily how she feels. But in early childhood, feelings come out in play.
Give her plenty of opportunities for unstructured and child-led play.
*Give her orange juice cartons to smash.
*Walk around and follow her lead in timing and focus. If she wants to stop and discuss a leaf, let her.
Be available with no conditions for some amount of time each day.
Courage as the Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up
Sensory Processing Disorder
Overall Life
Sensory processing impacts children's bodies, minds, experiences, and emotions.
Give them the physical activity that they seek.
*Limit screen time.
When children look at a screen, they aren't moving around and sensory input is lessened.
*Get those babies out of their car seats when not in a car.
Strapping a baby into a seat facilitates an adult's ease with daily activities, but it lessens a baby's ability to explore and receive the sensory input that she needs to feel comfortable and happy. Consider other opportunities that keep her safe but allow her to move about, such as a pack and play cot.
The Sensory Perspective
Unconditional positive regard for self and children will help eliminate shame and increase coping skills.
~ When a child is unable to sit quietly for a story...he isn't a "bad boy." He simply does not have the skills needed to sit quietly.
~When a child screams each time that she touches sand at the beach...she isn't a "drama queen." Her body feels overwhelmed by the texture and frightened.
Keeping the child's sensory experience in mind in these situations creates a new tool for success and understanding.
The Sensory Perspective
As a child grows up, he creates stories within his mind that explain the messages that he receives.
~Be open to conversations as they come up. Avoid trying to "fix it" or saying "it's OK."
~ Discuss his experiences and thoughts and help him explore what he feels.
~ Facilitate his ability to make meaning out of his life that reflects the values of your family and his place in the world.
The Sensory Perspective
Believe a child when he explains how he experiences the world. While adults are always in charge of health and safety, a child should be able to speak his truth without blame or shame or dismissal.
~He will grow strong and confident in trusting himself.
~He will know that he can come to you with problems and you will help him find a solution.
~He will follow your calm consideration and will deescalate more quickly when his body or emotions become dysregulated.
The Sensory Perspective
When a child hears messages from adults that she is rude over and over, she will begin to identify herself as a rude person.
When a child hears messages from adults that he is naughty over and over, he will use naughty behavior to find the adult attention that he needs to feel comfortable.
When a child hears messages from adults that what she experiences as frightening is "really no big deal" over and over, she will stop trusting her own intuition.
When a child hears messages from adults that what he experiences as "true" is really "false" over and over, he will become defiant of authority.
It just makes sense.
A long story short...