Children who have sensory processing disorder can experience sensory input in different ways. While some children get overloaded by their sensory input, others feel as though their senses are understimulated, and this can lead to sensory seeking behavior.
Sometimes, this behavior can be inappropriate or risky, and as a parent, you may wonder the best way to handle this behavior in order to discourage it and keep your child safe. Disciplining a child's sensory offensiveness can be tricky, but you can manage your response properly if you understand which behaviors are sensory seeking behaviors, what purpose they serve for your child, and what behavioral alternatives there are that can serve a similar purpose.
Sensory seeking behaviors in a child come from a place of wanting to feel stimulated or a desire to be calmed or soothed. These behaviors can be very distinct, and they often involve craving interaction with another human or object in a way that seems inappropriate. Sensory craves may include playing in mud or water, touching or standing too close to people (in a way that makes them uncomfortable), trying to engage in rough play like wrestling, making a mess of toys (but not necessarily playing with them), jumping off of high surfaces they should not be on, and more.
The Right Way to Respond to Sensory Seeking Behaviors
When you spot your child engaging in sensory seeking behaviors, it may be your gut reaction to discipline them in order not to reinforce the behavior and also to keep them safe. Typical discipline tactics may not the best way to respond to sensory seeking behaviors, especially if your child does not understand that they are doing something inappropriate or harmful. You should still respond if they engage in something dangerous or improper.
Determine whether the behavior is worth a reaction.
Look at the behavior you want to discipline and decide whether it's worth a reaction. Behaviors that deserve a response include ones that endanger or affect another person or ones that endanger your child. There are some behaviors—like spitting out food—that may not be worth disciplining because they don't cause harm to anyone else.
Understand what sensory input your child is seeking and redirect.
Take a look at your child's behavior and see what senses they are looking to stimulate. Rather than punish them for engaging in a behavior, redirect them to another activity that stimulates their senses in a similar way. Explain why it’s a better choice than the other behavior. You can eliminate undesired behavior without shaming or punishing them.
Use words rather than actions.
Words help children with sensory processing disorder understand why a behavior is unacceptable and why another is more appropriate. Showing them how to experience the same reaction another way, helps them avoid the behavior you don't want them to engage in without making things unpleasant or stressful.
If you need more help understanding your child's sensory processing issues and how to overcome the daily challenges that they face in life and in school, contact your local Brain Balance Achievement Center. For over a decade, we’ve helped over 50,000 individuals improve the critical and behavioral skills needed to create a brighter path for their future. You can also view the research and resultsof the program on the website.
Set Up an Action Room. Vestibular movement, such as swinging or rocking, has a positive effect on an overactive brain. As your child swings back and forth, his sensory nervous system perceives and integrates motion, which has a normalizing and calming effect on the brain.
Encouraging a student to play with a tactile object, such as play doh or a fiddle toy, rather than tapping the table. Reminding the child to clap their hands, rather than their face or another body part whilst 'flapping' to avoid them leaving marks on their body.
Depending on the severity of a child's Sensory Processing Disorder, a child may or may not outgrow it. In less severe cases, a child may have an underdeveloped sensory system, and once their sensory system matures and develops, they might outgrow some of their sensory symptoms.
Kids with sensory challenges or a sensory seeking disorder may also have decreased awareness of vestibular and/or proprioceptive input. To compensate for this, sensory seeking children will often seek out lots of sensory input to give their bodies more feedback to these systems.
These behaviors happen because the child is having trouble processing the information they receive from their senses. In addition to the traditional five senses, there are also. Hyposensitive kids need more sensory stimulation. They often love to move around and crash into things.
Limit screen time and use sensory resources like chewelry and fidget toys to help appropriately tame sensory seeking behaviors. See if you can work toward appropriate sensory integration, especially activities that involve being with another person.
Let the student work in a different position, like lying on the floor using a clipboard or at an easel. Provide a weighted lap pad, weighted vest, compression vest, air-filled seat cushion, or other OT-approved sensory tools. Provide earplugs or noise-muffling headphones.
Some kids with ADHD may be sensory seekers, meaning they have a high threshold for sensory input and often seek out more. For these children, touch can be a way to stimulate their sensory system and help them feel more alert and focused.
Deep pressure touch to arms and legs, also called hand hugs or squeezes. Try applying magnesium oil to the bottom of the child's feet at bedtime. fitting pajamas or compression clothing at bedtime are great too. throughout the night and get in and out independently.
There's no cure for sensory issues. Some children may experience fewer issues with age, while others may just learn to cope with the experiences. There is currently not a lot of research on the outlook for children with altered sensory processing.
We simply do not have evidence that children can “outgrow” SPD if it is left untreated. In fact, there is evidence to the contrary. Research has shown a strong correlation between SPD symptoms in childhood and adulthood (Rosenthal, M.Z., 2013).
These individuals often crave sensory input and may engage in activities that provide intense sensations or stimuli. Some common examples of sensory seeking behaviors include seeking out loud noises, seeking tactile stimulation, or engaging in repetitive movements.
The occupational therapist will give your child many different objects to touch to reduce their tactile defensiveness. Sounds may be introduced using various instruments like drums, triangles, and blowing toys. Objects may be placed in a box and covered.
Is sensory seeking always autism? No, sensory seeking is not always a sign of autism. While many children with autism do experience sensory processing difficulties, not all children who seek out sensory input have autism. Sensory seeking can also be a normal and healthy part of development.
A sensory seeker or craver is a person who has a high threshold (or a large sensory cup) for sensory input. This means that in order for that person to register, acknowledge, recognize or notice that input, they require a lot more frequency, intensity or duration of the input than someone with a typical threshold.
Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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