More Complex Senses * Balance * Body

Awareness

Seven Senses of Learning

Neurological “traffic jam”

Sensory Processing Disorder

Organize Sensory Input

Possible Causes

• Premature Births

• Prenatal and Postnatal environments

• Birth Trauma

• Lack of sensory experiences after birth

• Genetic

Ethan

• Runs, swings, spins, paces excessively, or flaps hands when excited

• Difficulty following directions, or sequencing the steps of an activity.

• Has difficulties interacting with peers, Their play is often immature

• Difficulty focusing attention, or being over-focused

• Falls apart or loses control easily. Often during transition times.

• Is restless, inattentive, and disruptive; May not like to participate in group time.

• Easily distracted by visual or auditory stimuli

• Strong dislike of baths, haircuts, or nail cutting

• Extreme sensitivity to texture and temperature of food

• Distressed by seams in socks and tags in his clothes

• Lack of enjoyment in age-appropriate motor activities. Swinging, climbing, sports, riding bike

• Overly sensitive to touch, or wants to be touched all the time

• Cry or covers their ears with every load sound.

• Picky eater

Misdiagnosed & Inappropriately medicated for ADD & ADHD

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Over Diagnosed

under Diagnosed

Teachers

2005

Teacher = Child Advocate

• Developing a greater awareness of sensory Processing disorder

• Analyze and record the behavior

• Behavior is communication ~ Ask yourself ~ What is the child trying to say?

• Don’t be tempted to simply judge and move on.

• Be empathetic with parents

• Inform and educate parents on the alternatives to medications

• Occupational Therapist

Be sensory detectives