OT Tip - Last in series on SPD

Today we are finishing up the topic of Sensory Processing Disorder. I want to especially thank my mother in-law, Debbie for all of her research and for giving lots of great ideas on this topic. If you have a topic that you would like to see us discuss, please e-mail me!

Here is one that I personally am sensitive to, I am guilty of chewing on my cheeks, I had a friend that as an adult was still chewing on pencils or pens, or my daughter hated brushing her teeth as a small child, she claimed mostly because of the taste.  These are all symptoms of Oral Tactile sensitivities.

Oral Tactile:  taste and oral movement

Symptoms:

Hyper:

·         Sensitive to brushing teeth and food textures

Hypo:

·         Explore objects by mouthing them, chewing on pencils, etc.

Solutions:

Teachers:

·         Allow gum chewing

·         Non-edible chewing items

Parents:

·         Encourage a variety of food and textures

·         Vibrating toothbrush

·         Straw to drink from to help attention

Olfactory, we all hate bad orders, but sometimes there is some that don’t bother some people but others absolutely hate.

Olfactory System:  Chemical receptors with direct neuronal connections to limbic system (responsible for emotional memory)

Symptoms

Hyper:

·         Oversensitive to smells

·         Limited diet

Hypo:

·         Explore objects by smelling

Solutions:

Teachers:

·         Kool-aid scented play dough

·         Add peppermint to finger paint

·         Scented markers

Parents:

·         Scented bath soaps and lotions

Here is one we all love, we all know of a child, maybe he/she sat in front of you in school, or maybe it was you that the teacher was always yelling at to sit down or slow down.  At play this child may always be literally “bouncing off the walls” or falling down.  These children are seeking sensory input into their joints or muscles called proprioceptive, or know where you body is in space.

Proprioceptive:  receptors in joints, muscles and tendons perceive contraction, stretching and compression.

Symptoms:

·         Poor coordination

·         Difficulty grading amount of pressure

Solutions:

Teachers:

·         Weight across lap

·         Bean bag chair to sit in

·         Hugs

·         Heavy work

·         Weighted vest

Parents:

·         Swimming

·         Karate

·         Climbing

·         Sandbox

·         Cleaning

·         Carry groceries

·         Wearing lycra

Exercise:  chair push-ups (10)

 

Last on the list is vestibular.  Again, this can affect any of us and we probably know of someone or are ourselves affected by some form of vestibular processing.

Vestibular:  Structures in the inner ear that detect movement and changes in head positions.

Symptoms:   Hypersensitivity/Over responsive

·         Fearful of heights

·         Does not like feet off ground

Hyposensitivity/under responsive

·         Needs more input

·         Craves spinning, swinging

·         Has difficulty standing still

Solutions:

Teachers:

·         Ball chair

·         Wiggle cushion

·         Partially inflated beach ball

·         2 tennis balls put on diagonal corners of chair for rocking

·         Needs more movement breaks

Parents

·         Trampoline

·         Swinging

·         Bike riding

·         Slow down before bed time.

~ Debra 

Disclaimer: I am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. The advise in these tips is not a replacement for medical advise from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult their advice if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child.