Sensory Processing Disorders
in Kids & Teens

A lot of parents tend to believe that childhood disorders, like sensory processing issues, may simply be outgrown by their children if given more time. Even though it is possible that their child may learn to manage these issues over time, most research indicates that although some neural development does continue into adolescence it slows significantly after childhood. The key to effectively changing a child’s trajectory for neural and psycho-social development is early intervention.

Effectively treating sensory processing disorders must involve multiple levels of stimulation and be engaging enough from a child’s point of view so that they truly get the most out of an intervention modality. In an effort to build neural connectivity, training must utilize the visual, auditory, touch, and vestibular (balance) systems. By combining these different systems in a methodical and systematic method, children develop cross connectivity between brain hemispheres. Successful neural growth may allow the child to absorb more information from their environments and respond appropriately.

This is a very common problem that many parents share. One of the best ways is to turn off all electronic and visual stimulation an hour before bedtime. Ensuring that a consistent sleep/wake schedule is followed may be crucial. These kids struggle with processing the information around them; therefore, limiting the amount of stimulus both as bedtime approaches and in the bedroom itself may prove an effective strategy. Lighting, noises, smells, bedding, and even clothing may be resulting in unwanted or excessive stimulation for your child.

There are typically three patterns of sensory processing disorder: over-responsiveness, which is responding more than normal or with too much emotion to a stimulus; under-responsiveness, which is responding less than normal or with too little emotion to a stimulus; and sensory seeking behaviours (common in ADHD and autism), which is always searching for something to grab, play with, touch, or feel.

Calming a child down that is in the middle of a tantrum or aggressive emotional state can be rather scary and can leave parents feeling incredibly frustrated and hopeless. The key to effectively managing these kinds of situations is perseverance and patience. Allow the child to breathe and recover with as much time they need. Make sure the child is safe and respond appropriately. The hardest strategy to learn is that of not reacting, but rather letting the tantrum take its natural course to completion. Finally, reflect in hindsight and try to understand why the outburst happened.