Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support

Sensory Processing Disorder Regulation & Dysregulation

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

Sensory Processing Disorder Regulation & Dysregulation

Jeanette Loftus

Sensory regulation is when a child has the ability to manage the sensory input around them. This can be very difficult and challenging for children who struggles with sensory processing disorder because they often will experience sensory dysregulation.

We don't want to wait until a child is dysregulated before we include sensory activities. We want to always include sensory activities through out their day so we can reduce their sensory overload that causes them to be dysregulated. We want to keep them regulated as much as we can.

Sensory Regulation is when a child is able to process sensory input effectively and respond in a calm manner. Children can learn to self-regulate and manage their sensory challenges without feeling overwhelmed all the time or anxious.

Sensory dysregulation is when a child is struggling to process sensory input. This can cause a child to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Sensory dysregulation can cause a child to have sensory meltdowns.

It is important to help your child stay regulated. There are many different strategies to put in your child's sensory tool kit to help them manage there sensory input. We have to include sensory diet activities all day, throughout the day and every single day to keep our children regulated.

Including different sensory activities throughout the day to provide the nervous system with the stimulation it needs to function at their best. Sensory diets are activities that are scheduled for your child's sensory needs each day.

Creating a sensory friendly environment for your child at home and in their school or classroom is very important to helping them stay regulated and can make a huge difference for them. This could be reducing clutter, minimizing loud sounds in their environment or providing your child with beneficial sensory tools they need for their sensory diet.

We have to provide our children the time they need throughout the day for regular sensory breaks for calming sensory activities that can help them prevent feeling sensory overload. This will help them with their self-regulation. This could be giving your child a few minutes to swing in their sensory swing, practice some mindful deep breathing or playing on some playground equipment.

Showing your child different sensory regulation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness activities can be very beneficial regulations tools for children.

Expect that sensory challenges are going to happen. Try being more aware of different situations that trigger your child's dysregulation and prepare your child ahead of time to prevent overwhelming sensory experiences. This will take some regular planning before outings or events to avoid loud environments or bringing their sensory noise canceling headphones.

Be open and communicate with others around you about your child's sensory needs because this can help create a supportive environment for you and your child. Early intervention and seeking professional help from therapists who specialize in sensory processing disorder can provide you with some strategies to support your child and help them manage their SPD.

Every children will experience sensory differences differently. What works for one child may not work for another child. It's important to learn different sensory strategies to find what helps your child the most. Understanding your child's sensory needs and including new sensory strategies into their schedule will help them with their sensory regulation.

Alerting activities for sensory under-responsiveness can help to stimulate your child's senses and increase their arousal levels. This can be very beneficial for children who struggle with under-responsiveness.

Sensory heavy work activities are activities for your child that are either pushing, pulling or lifting. These activities can give your child the deep pressure they are craving and proprioceptive input. Oral motor sensory activities such as chewing gum, sucking on hard candy or using sensory oral motor tools like a chewelry necklace can provide sensory stimulation for your child.

Aromatherapy and strong scents can be a great sensory tool for stimulating your child's senses. Using sensory toys and tools for your child that have strong scents such as citrus, peppermint or even cinnamon too. Try to include sensory movement activities such as jumping, bouncing or swinging.

Calming activities help to reduce the sensory input around your child and help them stay calm. Calming activities are very important for children who experience sensory overload. Create a quiet, low sensory stimulating environment for your child. Creating a quiet area for your child with minimal distractions can be helpful for reducing sensory overload for them.

Deep pressure therapy can be so calming for children who have sensory differences. There are many different types of deep pressure therapy tools like using a weighted blankets or a weighted lap pad. These sensory tools can have a calming effect on your child's body.

It's important to find the right balance for your child when you are including alerting and calming activities in their sensory diet and daily sensory activities. Children who have sensory processing disorder can often benefit from both alerting and calming activities throughout the day.

Ask your child's occupational therapist to help you with sensory strategies to help your child stay regulated. They will be able to assess your child's sensory needs and recommend sensory activities for them.