Sensory Processing Challenges

What does Sensory Processing Mean .... in Simple Terms ?

Sensory Processing Disorder is often attached to other diagnosis such as Down Syndrome and Autism, however you don't have to have a diagnosis to experience Sensory Processing Disorder.

" The sense that comes with being in and moving within our environments are sometimes overwhelming and confusing at the Brain & Body level, creating feelings of not being safe and or the nervous system feels unorganised and somewhat chaotic. Not really knowing what is going on or how it is impacting you within the moment."

For some Down Syndrome clients everyday events can seem dangerous, overwhelming and confusing at times.

We all experience these challenges from time to time, however the difference is that we can process them, avoid them or create alternative pathways to deal with the challenges. We find strategies to cope DS/Neurodivergent clients may not have the ability to strategise. Sometimes leaving them in Flight Fight mode because there is too much information for them to process.

Research suggests that around 49% of young people and school aged with Down Syndrome experience Sensory Processing Disorder challenges. A dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism would no doubt increase the intensity of the effects of SPD.

What can we do ?

We first need to be aware of our senses: Vision, Hearing, Smell, Taste & Touch allow with Proprioceptive and Interoceptive Awareness.

I love this example:

Your receptors right at this moment maybe telling you your sitting on the floor and your sit bones are touching the floor, your hands are holding a book and your thumbs are touching the pages. They are telling you which joints are at which angle, where there is pressure, what is floating and what is on the ground along with pushing and pulling forces. Our receptors give us so much information and we are alble to process incredible fast and have the capacity to rearrange our selves quickly to find comfort and ease. Without thinking basically, we take in the information, process and respond as required.

When it comes to young clients with Sensory Processing Disorders, Parents are often the Key as they know many little details that can assist us to offer individualised attention to detail.

Here are a few suggestions.

Colours - yoga mat - aerial hammock , is there a colour that could make life easier ? (particularly with a hammock/silk, as the whole body is going to be contained within that colour, if its a colour that isn't liked

this could cause a huge meltdown without us knowing why) a simple question of colour choices could change the experience considerably.

Socks on or socks off - It is very common for clients with SPD needs to dislike socks because of the seams rubing on their toes and skin. Others may like to keep socks on and hate the feel of a yoga mat or wooden floor on their feet. If you offer non slip socks don't be surprised if the answer is no, as the non slip element can be very confusing.

Sensitivity to noise and music - Here we look back to our Hyper/Hypo hearing also, considering the acoustics of the room you're in.

Hypo sensitive hearing responds well to the Metronome , the constant rhythm and sound is calming and can also be assistive in breathing exercises , counting and movement. Consistency of sound can be useful here.

Hyper sensitive hearing clients can respond well to having no sound or music or alternatively an input into the choices of music played. Noise cancelling headphones are often a must to have in your box of tricks just incase they are required.

Weighted toys and blankets - Weighted objects, toys, blankets, vests can work well in this space to help with SP , proprioceptive awareness and to assist us in keeping bodies in position, example: DS clients are often Hyper Mobile, when we sit on the floor coming to a wide leg forward fold, weighted toys or props can be used to weight the ankles and heels to the floor giving proprioceptive feedback and also stopping clients from going strait into the typical Hyper Mobile option of take the legs into a full split.

Larger weighted props such as blankets and weighted toys can also be used when in the hammock to provide a sense of awareness and safety.

Spinning or Rocking - Often clients with SPD will enjoy fast spinning or gentle rocking. From experience Hypo clients love to spin and spin and spin. Spinning can be used as a regulation tool between exercises/postures.

Rocking is a softer and more Rhythmic movment and I guess we have a little more control over the pace and height, often being able to bring it to a stop when needed. Hyper sensitive clients tend to enjoy rocking more so.

Lights or No lights - Sensitivity to lights and even the way the sun comes into the space needs a lot of consideration. Some clients with DS and Autism might also have a diagnosis of Epilepsy and flashing lights and sometimes streaming light can cause Focal Seizures. Others enjoy lights off at the end of a session with some gentle moving lights projected onto the ceiling and the comfort of a weighted blanket.

These are a few examples of questions you can ask Parents and Carers to assist with making sessions accessible.

Often after school for example clients come in Dis-regulated, needing to calm the nervous system to find regulation and want to spin rapidly or rock rapidly and fast, its best to allow them to fill up and ground otherwise they may only be able to focus for short periods before Dis-regulation and behaviours start.

Most clients who have a Dual Diagnosis, DS, ASD, ADHD, PDA all struggle to fit in at school and often spend the whole day at school masking , moving through the day the best they can, often trying hard not to be noticed, trying to fit in unable to be themselves and often misunderstood when they do try to express themselves.

I find many of my clients who come strait from school need a serious reset before being able to give any focus toward movement programs.

Parents may say they are tired and cranky, had a small meltdown in the car and need to calm down, thinking that soft music and a nice gentle rock in the hammock a few OM's and breath work is what they need......

Sometimes and more often than not the opposite is needed.

All the pent up disruption, anxiety, anger, judgement , stress and over sensitivities of the day need to be dealt with first before regulation can even start.

Big movements, big feels, having the opportunity to find and feel where they are in space, closing the lid a little.

My go to is often low hammock , boxing gloves on, deep breaths and punching a fit ball as hard and fast as possible to me at the other end of the room. Rolling the ball to them and allowing them to vocalise if needed until they are feeling ready to take the gloves off and take a moment to recover and regulate.

From the communication perspective, a picture communication Sensory Input Menu can be handy.

A choice of regulation activities to choose from when required. It could be incorporating the hammock, rocking board, large exercise ball or just balancing a peacock feather on the palm.

Set up a menu is something that can be put together with the client and can be changed and review as they become more aware of their individual needs.

Offering choice without discussion can sometimes be needed, it also gives client some control back, particularly after masking all day and trying to do what is expected of them. The first 5 minutes of a session can be the deal breaker if it goes south.