Have you ever wondered why your child seems to dislike certain clothing, gets overwhelmed in busy environments, avoids messy play, or is constantly on the move? Or perhaps your child seems to seek out movement, touch everything around them, or have a hard time settling down at the end of the day.
These behaviours may be related to something called sensory processing!
Sensory processing is how our brains receive, organize, and respond to information from the world around us and from our own bodies. We use our senses all day long to help us understand our environment, participate in activities, and feel comfortable in our surroundings.
For some children, processing sensory information can be a little trickier. This is where Occupational Therapy (OT) can help!
What is Sensory Processing?
Most of us are familiar with the five senses:
Sight: What we see.
Sound: What we hear.
Smell: What we smell.
Taste: What we taste.
Touch: What we feel through our skin.
There are also three other important sensory systems that help us navigate our everyday activities:
Vestibular system: Helps us understand movement, balance, and where our head is in space.
Proprioceptive system: Provides information about where our body parts are and how much force we are using. Think about pushing, pulling, jumping, or carrying something heavy.
Interoception: Helps us recognize what is happening inside our bodies, such as feeling hungry, thirsty, tired, or needing to use the bathroom.
Our brains are constantly taking in information from all of these systems and deciding what to do with it. For most people, this happens automatically!
However, some children may be more sensitive to certain sensory experiences, while others may seek out additional sensory input. These differences can affect how they participate in everyday activities.
What Can Sensory Processing Differences Look Like in Children?
Sensory processing differences can look very different from one child to another. Some children may avoid certain sensations, while others actively seek them out. Some children experience a combination of both!
Here are a few examples:
1. Sensitivity to Sounds
Covering their ears when the vacuum, hand dryer, or toilet flushes.
Becoming overwhelmed in busy environments such as grocery stores or birthday parties.
Having difficulty concentrating in a noisy classroom.
Being bothered by sounds that other people barely notice.
2. Sensitivity to Touch
Disliking certain clothing textures, tags, or seams.
Avoiding messy play activities such as finger painting, playdough, or sand.
Becoming upset during hair brushing, nail cutting, or bath time.
Having difficulty tolerating certain food textures.
3. Seeking Movement
Constantly jumping, climbing, spinning, or running.
Having difficulty sitting still during mealtimes or classroom activities.
Enjoying activities that involve swinging, bouncing, or crashing into cushions.
Frequently getting up and moving around.
4. Body Awareness and Proprioception
Using too much or too little force when playing.
Frequently bumping into furniture or people.
Enjoying pushing, pulling, carrying, or squeezing activities.
Appearing a little clumsy during certain movement activities.
5. Interoception and Body Signals
Having difficulty recognizing when they are hungry or thirsty.
Not noticing when they need to use the bathroom until it becomes urgent.
Having difficulty recognizing when they are getting tired or overwhelmed.
Struggling to identify what their body is telling them.
It is important to remember that experiencing one or more of these behaviours does not automatically mean a child has a sensory processing disorder. Every child has their own sensory preferences, and these preferences can change depending on the environment, activity, and how they are feeling!
So, What Does Occupational Therapy Have to Do With Sensory Processing?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are interested in helping individuals participate in the activities that are important to them.
For children, these activities include playing, learning, eating, getting dressed, sleeping, participating in school, and spending time with family and friends.
When sensory processing differences make these everyday activities challenging, an OT can help!
An OT will typically begin by learning about the child, their strengths, interests, routines, and areas of difficulty. This may include observing how the child responds to different sensory experiences and gathering information from parents, caregivers, and teachers using an assessment called the ‘Sensory Profile 2’.
Together, the OT and family can develop goals that are meaningful for the child and focus on improving participation in everyday life.
How Can Occupational Therapy Help?
Occupational Therapy sessions are often hands-on, play-based, and tailored to each child's individual needs.
Here are some examples of how an OT might incorporate sensory processing into therapy:
1. Movement Activities
Movement activities can help children explore how their bodies move through space and respond to different types of movement.
Some examples include:
Swinging.
Jumping on a trampoline.
Obstacle courses.
Dancing and movement games.
Balancing activities.
These activities can provide opportunities to work on balance, coordination, body awareness, and motor planning.
2. Heavy Work Activities
Heavy work refers to activities that involve pushing, pulling, lifting, or using muscles against resistance. These activities provide proprioceptive input.
Some examples include:
Animal walks (bear walks, crab walks, frog jumps).
Pushing a laundry basket.
Carrying groceries or books.
Building with heavy blocks.
Playing tug-of-war.
These activities can be incorporated into everyday routines and may help some children feel more organized and ready to participate in the next activity.
3. Exploring Different Textures
For children who find certain textures challenging, an OT may introduce opportunities to explore different materials in a gradual and playful way.
Some examples include:
Playing with playdough.
Exploring water beads or water play (with appropriate age and safety supervision).
Painting with brushes, sponges, or fingers.
Playing with sand or kinetic sand.
Helping with baking and mixing ingredients.
The goal is not to force a child to touch something they dislike, but rather to create positive opportunities for exploration at their own pace.
4. Developing Sensory Strategies for Everyday Activities
Sometimes small changes to a child's environment or routine can make a big difference!
An OT may help families identify strategies such as:
Using noise-reducing headphones in particularly noisy environments.
Choosing comfortable clothing without irritating tags or seams.
Providing movement breaks throughout the day.
Creating a quiet space for downtime.
Using visual schedules to help prepare for transitions.
Finding comfortable seating or positioning options.
The best strategies are the ones that work for the individual child and help them participate more comfortably in their daily activities. The goal is to create strategies that integrate into existing family routines. We understand that time is limited and don’t want to add unrealistic activities into an already full schedule!
5. Supporting Self-Regulation
Sensory processing and emotional regulation are closely connected. When children experience overwhelming sensory input, they may have a harder time managing their emotions and responses.
An OT can help children learn to recognize their body's signals, understand what helps them feel comfortable, and develop strategies to manage challenging situations.
This may include learning about different emotions, identifying early signs of feeling overwhelmed, practising calming strategies, and exploring activities that help them feel ready to participate.
Can Adults Have Sensory Processing Differences Too?
Absolutely!
Although we often talk about sensory processing in children, adults experience sensory processing differences as well.
For example, an adult may find busy grocery stores overwhelming, struggle with background noise in the workplace, get easily frustrated or overwhelmed by cluttered play spaces, dislike certain clothing textures, or need movement breaks throughout the day.
Sensory preferences can influence everyday activities such as working, cooking, socializing, exercising, and relaxing.
Occupational Therapists can work with adults to identify sensory preferences and challenges and develop practical strategies to support participation in daily routines, work environments, and community activities.
Sensory processing is something that affects us throughout our lives!
When Should You Consider Occupational Therapy?
If you notice that your child's sensory preferences or sensitivities are regularly interfering with everyday activities, it may be worth exploring Occupational Therapy.
Some things to consider include:
Is getting dressed a daily struggle because of clothing textures?
Does your child avoid activities that involve messy play?
Are busy or noisy environments particularly overwhelming?
Does your child seem to need constant movement?
Are mealtimes challenging because of food textures?
Does your child have difficulty recognizing when they are tired, hungry, or need the bathroom?
Are sensory experiences interfering with their ability to participate at school, home, or in the community?
If any of these sound familiar, an OT can help you better understand your child's sensory needs and explore strategies to support them.
Most importantly, the goal of Occupational Therapy is not to change who your child is or eliminate their sensory preferences. It is to help them feel comfortable, confident, and successful participating in the activities that matter to them!
Want to Learn More About Sensory Processing?
If you're interested in learning more about sensory processing and how it can affect your child, we've put together a few recommended books and trusted online resources to help you explore the topic further!
Our Recommended Reading List (Books for Parents)
The Out-of-Sync Child – Carol Stock Kranowitz
An excellent starting point for understanding sensory processing differences and how they may affect children's behaviour, play, learning, and everyday routines.Raising a Sensory Smart Child – Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske
A practical guide filled with ideas and strategies to help support children with sensory challenges at home, school, and in the community.The Interoception Curriculum – Kelly Mahler
A helpful resource for learning about interoception and how children recognize internal body signals such as hunger, thirst, emotions, and the need to use the bathroom.
Helpful Websites and Online Resources
Alberta Health Services – Sensory Processing Video Series – A parent-friendly educational video series developed by pediatric occupational therapists to help explain how children process sensory information.
Kelly Mahler – Interoception Resources – Great information about interoception and helping children recognize and understand their body's internal signals.
CHEO – Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario – A Canadian resource for families looking for information and support related to children's development and sensory needs.
Closing thoughts
Every child is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sensory processing. What works for one child may not work for another.
Occupational Therapy is all about understanding the individual child, building on their strengths, and finding strategies that make everyday activities a little easier.
And remember, learning and developing new skills should be fun! Play is one of the best ways for children to explore their senses, develop new skills, and build confidence.
Always happy you are here!
