Capturing Attention of Children with Sensory Processing Deficits
Children who show signs of Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) often have problems with paying attention.
Sensory Processing Issues: Part 1
What is Sensory Processing? The term “Sensory Processing” generally refers to specialized activities of the nervous system. These specialized activities are triggered whenever sensory organs or their pathways are stimulated within the body. However, when this term is applied to children who have issues with child development, the term usually refers to Sensory Processing Disorders. Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) is a medical condition that
Sensory Processing Disorders and School Performance
Children with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) tend to have issues that influence school performance. The areas of difficulty shown in school tend to imitate the three major areas shown in the various types of Sensory Processing Disorders. One major type of difficulty shown in school among children with SPD is that of difficulty managing their level of energy. This is commonly referred to as
Essential Summer Activities for Children with SPD
Children with sensory processing issues are often smart and repeat what they do well. However, they also often avoid activities that are new or challenging. In this way the child tends to curb learning from experience. Using a plan for well-balanced play during the summer months can be helpful to offset this tendency. Ongoing growth of the child with SPD can be helped by
Sensory Processing Disorders, Self Regulation and Heavy Work
Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological condition. This is a condition in which the brain has difficulty interpreting information that comes in through the senses. This means that pathways from the sensory systems (including eyes, ears, tastes, smells, joints and muscles) may not be properly understood by the brain. The brain tends to respond with distress when it is not able to understand information. This tends
Encouraging Development of Fine Motor Skills
There are many reasons why fine motor skills fail to develop as planned. Therefore, from time to time, specific types of fine motor skills may need prompts to emerge. This blog will discuss activities parents and teachers can use to encourage the development of different aspects of fine motor skills. These aspects include sustained attention, eye movements, hand movements and the ability to put
Spatial Orientation – Part 3
Impacting Classroom Skills Spatial orientation may be defined as the ability to maintain the posture of the body as it relates to the surrounding space. Whether the body is at rest or moving, children need to be aware of how they are positioned in the space around them. For example, in order to be safe while moving around in a playground, a child needs
Tactile Perception
Tactile Perception refers to the ability to match an object being touched with an idea of what the object is and how it is to be used or handled. This ability allows us to handle objects such as touch screens, buttons, zippers, pocket change, and even fragile objects without fumbling, even though we can’t necessarily see all the parts of the items as we
Spatial Orientation
From Handwriting to Geometry The term “spatial orientation” refers to use of vision when comparing the way in which things are turned and rotated. In terms of daily living skills, spatial orientation is the knack of being aware of how objects are turned and how they fit together. For example, in the home this skill helps children learn which foot fits into a sneaker,
Upper Body Strength
Increases independence in self care at home and fine motor success at school Low muscle tone, and poor coordination tend to be a problem for many children who have Sensory Processing Dysfunction and may result in weak upper body strength. This impacts the muscles of the neck needed to hold the head in a centered position so that the eye muscles can work properly.