Sensory Processing Disorder, also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction, is a disability that can inhibit a child’s vital senses. Although the sight, hearing, or sense of touch of the affected child may be functioning properly, it is his inability to appropriately process and react to the information from these senses that qualifies him as having SPD. It is common for children with autism, ADD/ADHD, and other learning disabilities to suffer from sensory integration problems.
What SPD Can Feel Like
When a child has trouble processing auditory sounds in the classroom for example, he may not be able to listen and respond appropriately. When he is placed next to a ticking clock, a dripping sink, or a fan it can be as distracting for him as a jackhammer would be to the average student.
If an SPD child is unable to properly integrate visual signals, bright sunlight streaming in or reflecting off a white board could cause her to have a difficulty seeing what is written. Similarly, if the sense of touch is affected, a student with a stiff clothing tag rubbing on her neck could be completely unable to focus on anything else, including a simple conversation with a friend.
In fact, all of the senses play a critical role in a young child's early social and academic development.
Senses Affected by SPD
The primary senses that can be affected by Sensory Processing Disorder include:
- Visual
- Auditory
- Olfactory (smell)
- Oral
- Tactile (touch)
- Vestibular (movement: balance and orientation)
- Proprioceptive (movement: body awareness, position)
Sensory Therapy and Products for the Preschool Classroom
There are many techniques and inexpensive products that can be used to help children with sensory integration issues in the preschool classroom. These techniques and products are specifically designed to stimulate the senses and help children to improve their abilities to receive sensory input.
For visual stimulation and therapy, mirrors, bubble columns, and fiber optic items will all be effective. Auditory products include music players, pianos, shakers, bells, and other musical instruments, chimes, animal noise tins, and the like. Toys of tactile interest to SPD children are koosh balls, textured toys and wallboards, sand and water tables that can hold sand, water, flour, beads, rice, and other such items. Wiggle cushions and squeeze balls are also handy.
Items that can stimulate the oral and olfactory (smell) senses are usually food-related, and include gummies, crunchy carrots, and other healthy food snacks that may possess an interesting aroma. Scratch and sniff books, scented pencils, or crayons are all highly therapeutic as well.
Finally, children with proprioceptive or vestibular dysfunction may benefit from periodic breaks of heavy lifting, jumping, rolling, and spinning. Sending a child to the library or reading center with a stack of books would provide a heavy lifting activity. Additionally, stretches, short dances to get the wiggles out, and wheelbarrow walking are other ideas.
Movement therapies can also be accomplished with sit and spins, mini trampolines, vibrating toys, weighted blankets, body brushes, and massagers. Providing these items during an indoor break period, recess, or quiet reading time would be wonderful therapy for the child with SPD.
Supporting kids with Sensory Processing Disorder in the preschool classroom will require an understanding of their particular sensory processing needs. A combination of therapeutic techniques, teacher interventions, and creative SPD products and toys can then be utilized to improve sensory integration skills and allow the child to focus better on learning.
Karen Plumley - Karen Plumley is a writer specializing in parenting and education. She works for Parenting NH and the Hippo, NH's most widely read ...
