Sensory Processing Basics
Tactile, visual, olfactory, gustatory, auditory, vestibular, proprioception, and interoception.
What are the 8 sensory systems?
A child who may love to spin, jump, seek loud noises, or enjoy intense tastes.
What is a sensory seeker?
This is a customized set of sensory activities designed to help regulate a child’s sensory needs throughout the day.
What is a sensory diet?
This sensory tool can be used at bedtime to help a child with proprioceptive needs calm down and prepare for sleep.
What is a weighted blanket?
A tool that can help reduce the impact of bright lights in public spaces is this
What is a hat or sunglasses?
A child who craves strong sensory input, such as jumping or crashing into things, is known as this.
What is a sensory seeker?
A child who prefers to play alone and avoids crowded/loud environments may have difficulty processing input from this sensory system.
What is the auditory system?
For a child who seeks movement, swinging on a swing or jumping on a trampoline are examples of this type of input
What is vestibular input?
Using a visual schedule is a strategy that helps children prepare for this challenging part of the day.
What is transitioning between activities?
When a child becomes overstimulated in a public setting, allowing them to do this can help them reset.
What is taking a break in a quiet space?
This sensory system is responsible for the sense of balance and movement.
What is the vestibular system?
This sensory profile describes children who are unresponsive to stimuli, such as not noticing when they are touched or when loud sounds occur.
What is low registration? (or sensory under-responsiveness)
A sensory diet for a child who is easily overwhelmed by noise might include this tool to help reduce auditory overload.
What are noise-canceling headphones?
Closing doors when its loud in the other room, use noise cancelling/dampening headphones, providing fidget toys to sensory seekers, or create a quiet, dimly lit space for when they are overwhelmed.
What is creating a sensory-friendly environment?
This type of input, often provided by wearing a backpack or weighted vest, can help children feel more grounded in busy environments.
What is proprioceptive input?
This term refers to a child who is easily overwhelmed by stimuli such as loud noises or bright lights.
What is sensory sensitivity or hyper-responsiveness?
People in this quadrant require a small amount of sensory input (small cup) and they won’t use active strategies (passive response).
What is sensory sensitive?
Deep pressure, such as using a weighted blanket or tight hugs, is an example of this type of sensory input.
What is proprioceptive input?
A child who is over-responsive to loud environments might benefit from this tool when entering a crowded shopping mall.
What are noise-cancelling headphones?
If a child shows signs of sensory overload at a family gathering, this calming activity can provide proprioceptive input to help them self-regulate.
What is a deep pressure squeeze?
The key difference between these two sensory responses is that one involves seeking more stimulation, while the other avoids or is overly sensitive to it.
What are sensory seeking and sensory avoiding?
A child comes home from school and is irritable and overstimulated. His mom provides him a cold drink, time in his sensory tent, and calm music.
What is an example of a sensory diet?
Create a sensory diet for a child who struggles with transitions and has difficulty calming down after recess.
What is a schedule including proprioceptive activities like pushing heavy objects, deep breathing, and using a visual timer before transitions? (Other appropriate answers are accepted)
This proprioceptive activity can help a child stay focused during homework by offering calming sensory input.
What is a fidget tool? (any proprioceptive activity, putty, stress ball, etc.)
Before going into a crowded public space, using this technique can help a child know what to expect and reduce anxiety.
What is a visual schedule or social story?