#LDchat Archive
Understood holds this weekly Twitter chat that aims to keep the momentum going and raise awareness of learning and attention issues. Follow along with hashtag #LDCHAT and follow users @understoodchats & @understoodorg. Experts will be available to answer your questions and concerns and share resources from Understood.org.
Wednesday March 23, 2016
Welcome to today’s LD Chat! Today, we’ll be talking about sensory processing.
This is Dan with the Understood team. I'll be moderating the chat with .
Who do we have with us today?
Hi Kerri! Great to see you again.
We’ll use a Q1, Q2… format for questions. Please use the A1, A2… format for answers.
Kerri. 24. /learning issues. I write stuff, coach things, explore places and all that jazz.
Q1: How would you define sensory processing issues?
A1. [Is “qg9zog9d1oap0” an answer? That’s how my brain feels sometimes.]
Hi there, and happy spring! and
A1. Kids with sensory processing issues are either over-responsive or under-responsive to sensory input
A1. Sensory processing issues are those when the brain doesn’t properly respond to input from the senses, 1/2]
A1. Often making too much external stimuli feel overwhelming. 2/2
Incidentally, welcome to our 1,000th follower on !
A1. It's a very real issue - can look like ADHD. Carol Stock Kranowitz wrote The Out-of-Sync Child - a popular book on SPD
a difference in processing stimuli, often results in nontypical repsonses
Q2: What are some signs of sensory processing issues for kids at different ages and stages?
A1 Dealing with multiple senses, aversion to senses.
sensory processing disorder can either be an under or over response to a stimuli
A2. Preschoolers touch everything - or avoid touching anything. Same kid. Depending on...
Hi Nicole! Thanks for joining today.
A2. They can be really subtle. For me, food textures were/are a big issue.
Cheryl from Maryland lurking in and out during spring cleaning
A2. Yes , picky eating - a real battle sometimes!
A2. A lot of my students had sensory issues related to food
Reality: I WANT to like oatmeal. i just CAN’T. I can sort-of-ish tolerate it if I blend it (and… like, what?)
A2. Clothing issues - tags, sock seams
When I was young I had the same issues with gloppy food
A2. Some kids will crave constant motion (can look like ADHD) - some kids will avoid it.
With food textures. They would avoid certain textures or 'play' around with the food they ate
A2. Fire drills at school: kids with sensory issues tend cover their ears with their hands
Q3: What are some tough situations for kids with sensory processing issues?
A2. As an adult, I’ve never been to a legit bar. Nor do I enjoy big parties Manitobans dig, called “socials” https://t.co/L9yKmsmPmS
A2 For me it was aversion to certain smells and sounds. I'd leave the room if I didn't like a smell or avoid saying certain words.
My last answer for A2 is now also my adult answer for A3. ;)
A2: Difficulty with change or inappropriate physical contact are common ones that I see at the high school.
A3. Restaurants—especially dark-ish ones with loud TVs/music.
A.3 Movie theaters can be rough
A3. Even large family gatherings - noisy, crowded, HUGS!
Family get togethers. At least Cubanstyle ones-too many people to kiss!! https://t.co/uSIyZVfDko
Q3: What are some tough situations for kids with sensory processing issues?
A3: Dating. Boundaries. Interactions with people. Public interactions (the cafeteria or school dances)
Yes, thanks for bringing up the older kids.
I've experienced that. Have your ever seen children that actually like the loud sounds? Weird.
A3. Eye contact can be tough
a2: for babies it can either be extreme colicky behavior or looking away and not interacting
Can't actually remember kids liking the loud sounds, but certainly possible!
why do so many children scream/make so loud sounds then? i avoid placds with loud children
Q4: What are some therapies or treatments for sensory processing issues?
A3 Difficulty visiting uncomfortable places trying new foods etc.
. forced eye contact is very uncomrfortable
Sorry I'm late! jumping in
I have found every child is different. Some children amaze with their likes and dislikes.
had 2 run vac to keep my son from crying, or playing club music loud @ bouncing 2 beat (when baby)
Great to have you, Kristin!
A4: Sensory rooms are great
did deep brush massage protocol to help regulate nervous system, occupational therapy w/ someone trained in SPD
A4 rethinking working environments to reduce multiple sensory input, helps us during homework time https://t.co/jmiUMo6oTB
Q4: What are some therapies or treatments for sensory processing issues?
a3 for adults: loud places with lot of light, unclear social interaction rules for events, eyecontact dance
a4) "heavy work" activities, like push ups, playing wheel barrow, vacuuming, weighted blankets helps 2 calm
A4. Occupational therapists that are trained in SPD can work with these kids
for older kids, teens, adults, yoga (sun salutations) and weight lifting are "heavy work", calming activities
A4. I would keep a crate of heavy books in my classroom and have an arrangement with another teacher down the hall
A.4 yes, rocking chairs are great!
A1 Sensory can be a range of things: touch, smell, sound, visual etc. Processing issues can be over or under sensitivity to senses
A4: OTs are great resources for this area. I wish every school had one on staff!
A4. Maybe you've heard about "brushing" - OT's can do this - gives deep pressure.
Yes, effects of 15 minutes of swinging can last something like 4 hours, and it helps to calm/regulate nervous system
A2 I think it depends on the child. I don't think many people associate sensory issues to / for example
- I've learned so much from school-based OTs.
Q5: What are some strategies that parents can use at home to help their child with sensory processing issues?
we did this when my son was 10 months old, made a HUGE difference
A2 My sensory processing is related to sound (I don't always pick up words, ) but also taste, texture, smell. Hate water!
Audio therapy and aromatherapy.
A5. Predictable routines, understanding the child's issues with food avoidance, clothing...
A3 Mishearing people is very embarrassing at times! I struggle with new accents I haven't heard before
I thought I was the only one who hated water!
A3 I wrote a blog on personal hygiene. I dislike the taste of certain toothpastes and hate water, so that was difficult as a teen
Oh no! I can't swim but I hate the feeling of water on my face. It freaks me out. I use facewipes to clean my face
A5: Consistency and predictability are essential for success at home.
A4 I found the best thing was to work out what did and didn't work for me. Much easier as an adult with my own money
A5: Build a sensory room. If you don't have the space then provide an area during overstimulated times
A4 I now avoid mint toothpastes where possible and use facewipes to clean my face so I can avoid water on my face
A5 ASK! If your kid is like me, try to find alternatives when shopping. I use Oral B toothpastes that don't taste like mint
Q6: What are some ways to avoid or manage meltdowns caused by sensory processing issues?
A6. Kids need a safe space. Need to know they HAVE a safe space.
A5 Actually it's more than just a dislike for the taste. I would avoid brushing my teeth cause I hated how mint feels in my mouth
A6 I think my "meltdowns" were because of a lack of understanding it was a sensory issue. If your kid is avoiding something, ask
a6) explain what will happen so child can prepare and is not surprised
A6: With my daughter, we have taught her how to ask for space. It helps a lot, along with giving her time prompts (you have 5 min)
A6: Some meltdowns you have to just let them take their course. Just provide a safe environment
Time prompts would make me freak out
With her, it prepares her (luckily) & prevents the sense of shock she shows when it's time to change to something new
Love it. Thanks for sharing!
I used to flip out a lot at my mum when she did countdowns. I still get irritated when boyf does it to me
I also try not to dress her in jeans, or some of her clothes that have bumps from appliques.
It took years for my son to wear jeans. And I still, to this day, cannot wear pantyhose of any sort!
Thanks for joining this week's LD Chat! Join us next week at 12pm ET on coping with childhood anxiety.
