Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support

8 Senses (not 5) & Sensory Systems

Children with sensory differences ... painting the world beautiful.

8 Senses (not 5) & Sensory Systems

Jeanette Loftus

Usually when most people think about the human senses, they can name five. Most would say sight, sound, taste, smell and touch but there are three other human senses that are very important too. We have eight senses.

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) can affect any of the eight senses and can cause over-sensitivity (hypersensitivity) or under-sensitivity (hyposensitivity) to sensory input.

Hypersensitive means that you are more sensitive (over-responsive) to input than others. This may look like covering your ears when a vacuum is turned on because it is too loud. Or struggling with the feeling of your clothing, even to the point of not being able to wear clothes.

At times we refer to people that are hypersensitive as avoiders, they want to avoid certain types of input because they are more sensitive to them.

Hyposensitive means that you are less sensitive (under-responsive) to input than others. Meaning you may want and crave more input to feel regulated and fulfilled. This may look like constantly moving, spinning, jumping, or playing rough with others.

At times we refer to people that are hyposensitive as seekers.

Vestibular - Where you are in space, this input comes from movement and head position.

Your vestibular system lets you know if you are upright or hanging upside down. Our vestibular sense is responsible for our balance and spatial orientation. It helps us maintain our posture, navigate through space, and coordinate our movements.

Sensory Diet Vestibular Activities

- swinging in a hammock

- jumping on crash pad or trampoline

- bouncing on a yoga ball or teeter totter

- spinning in a chair or sit n spin toy

- playing on toys with wheels

Proprioception/Proprioceptive - Body awareness.

This is the ability to know where you are without using your sight. If you close your eyes and touch your nose successfully that’s because of your proprioceptive system. Our proprioceptive sense is the awareness of the position and movement of our body. It allows us to know where our limbs are without having to look at them and is crucial for tasks such as driving, typing, and playing sports.

Sensory Diet Proprioceptive Activities

- rough and tumble play or play wrestling

- crawling through tunnels and boxes

- scooter board activities

- joint compressions

- exercise (push ups, yoga, sit ups)

While most people are familiar with our five basic senses, it's important to understand that there are eight senses and each sense plays an important role in our daily lives.
This sensory symptoms checklist is divided into different categories of senses, such as tactile (touch), auditory (sound), visual (sight), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and vestibular (movement).

There are also categories by age too. This can help identify specific areas where a child may be experiencing sensory difficulties.