Nine Ways to Understand Sensory Processing Issues In Children With Autism Toronto

Children can be fussy at the best of times. This is especially true when it comes to their comfort preference levels. Bright lights, loud noises, scratchy sweaters, these unwelcome sensations can become the whole focus of attention for an uncomfortable child. (Making the parent’s life equally unpleasant.) When it comes to children with autism, this acute sensitivity is multiplied a thousandfold. This common challenge for neurodivergent children is called “sensory processing issues.” It’s incredibly important for caregivers, parents, educators, and therapists to understand and address them efficiently as they can enormously impact the child’s daily life in a negative way if left untreated. But first, it’s important to identify exactly how they work. 

Here are nine ways to understand sensory processing issues in children with autism Toronto.

1. Learning About The Sensory System

When it comes to understanding the sensory system as it pertains to children with autism, there are slightly different definitions and pathways. For instance, if we were to look for the the primary components of the sensory system,there is tactile (touch), auditory (hearing), visual (sight), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), vestibular (balance), and proprioceptive (body awareness). Understanding the terminology around them can help you identify which senses are most affected, and communicate that clearly with Monarch House staff.

2. Making Use Of Sensory Assessments

Sometimes it makes sense to allow a professional to examine your child to find what you might be missing or gleaning over. Professional assessments, such as those conducted by occupational therapists at Monarch House, can help identify specific sensory processing issues. You can look to these assessments to gather detailed insights into how a child processes sensory information. This can help to guide customized intervention strategies.

3. Identifying Sensory Sensitivities

It’s not uncommon to see children with autism wearing sunglasses indoors. Neurodivergent children often have heightened or diminished reception to sensory stimuli, such as bright lights. These behaviours can manifest themselves as acute reactions to lights, sounds, textures, tastes, and smells. The first step in understanding your child’s unique sensory needs is recognizing them.

4. Observing Behavioural Responses

If you want to know if your child is experiencing distress due to sensory stimulation—don’t worry. More often than not, they’ll make it abundantly clear. Children with autism are not known to suffer silently. Those with sensory processing issues may exhibit behaviors like loudly whining, complaining, covering their ears with their hands, pushing away or avoiding certain textures, or becoming agitated and irritable in crowded or noisy environments. Observing these behaviours can provide clues about their sensory preferences and aversions.

5. Making Sense Of Sensory Overload

We only have the bandwidth to take on so much, and when we become overloaded— something has to give. That’s when we lean on those closest to us to help shoulder our load. Children with autism are no different. Sensory overload occurs when a child is simply overwhelmed by their sensory input. Parents and caregivers will recognize that something is upsetting their child, and this very quickly materializes as meltdowns, anxiety, and withdrawal. Work to create environments that minimize the triggers and learn to recognize the signs of sensory overload to nip them in the bud before they start.

6. Analyzing Sensory Seeking Behaviours

Sometimes you need to push a sensation to the extreme to truly understand its parameters. In doing so, you’re able to establish control. Some children with autism may seek out intense sensory experiences, such as spinning, jumping, or touching various textures. These active behaviours are a way for them to learn how to regulate and understand their sensory systems. Monarch House is a good place to host these discoveries, as sensory exploration should be accommodated in safe and appropriate ways.

7. Creating Sensory-Friendly Environments

Do you have a sensory room at home? Why not? Every home should have a quiet place with fuzzy blankets and soft music and modulated expectations for your child with autism. It’s been shown to be highly beneficial to their well-being to modify environments to reduce sensory stress. Some examples of sensory-friendly environmental upgrades might include: using pleasant smells, such as baked bread, having a dimmer switch for the lights, endless fuzzy blankets and toys, improving insulation to help minimize background noise, sunglasses at the ready, as well as noise-canceling headphones. We can help you map out areas of your home to create quiet spaces for breaks.

8. Educating Others

Not everyone understands the discomfort that can stem from lights and sounds that are not just so. Therefore, it’s important to educate your child’s peer group and classmates about why your child has these particular sensitivities. Further informing family members, teachers, and adult peers about sensory processing issues can help to build understanding and support. Involve them if you can. The more people onboard creating and maintaining sensory-friendly places and practices, the better. A ‘takes a village’ approach ensures consistency across different settings.

9. Seeking Out Professional Support

You are not alone when it comes to a child with sensory sensitivities. Help is available for you just around the corner at 5734 Yonge Street, Toronto. At Monarch House, our occupational therapists and other professionals are trained in sensory integration and assessment. They can provide valuable support for you and your child. Our OTs offer a customized approach, with strategies and interventions tailored to the child’s unique sensory profile. We then work with families to implement these strategies at home and in other environments.

To say that your child doesn’t like bright lights or loud noises is just scratching the surface. To provide effective support to a neurodivergent child, it’s essential to understand how sensory processing issues work, as a whole. Caregivers, counselors and parents can start by observing behaviours, recognizing sensitivities, using assessments, and implementing tailored strategies. The professionals at Monarch House can work with you to create a supportive environment that enhances the well-being and development of your child with autism. Through collaboration, education, and professional guidance, it is possible to make an extraordinary positive impact on the overall sensory experience as well as the daily lives of these children.