Our pathway offers education and coaching for parents and carers of children and young people who experience sensory processing differences where it interferes in their daily activities – the things that they need and want to do as part of their daily life.
Sensory processing is the way our brain sorts out sensory information so we understand the world and can manage our everyday life.
For most children the development of their sensory processing (sometimes called integration) occurs as part of their normal development and they learn to respond appropriately to sounds, smells, touch, taste, sights and movement.
We all have some sensory processing differences. Some of us like very strong tastes and smells and others avoid them. Some people enjoy roller coaster rides whilst others would avoid even a merry-go-round. As long as we can manage to take part in the things we want and need to do these sensory processing differences don’t matter or need support.
Some children’s sensory development is delayed or disordered, and they may struggle to take part in everyday childhood activities. For example, they may be so distressed by noise they can’t go to a friend’s party or they hit out when someone brushes up against them as they experience it as painful.
Please note that ‘sensory processing disorder’ is not recognised as an independent diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5). Our service does not offer Sensory Integration Therapy. Our service does not accept referrals for children whose difficulties are solely related to restricted eating. For more information about how sensory processing differences can affect children’s eating please go to the Fussy feeders workshop and information.
Stage 1: Access the videos and keep a record
To help you understand about sensory processing, we have produced some videos for everyone to access.
You do not need to be referred to this service to access these – please do share them with those who support your child. There are three videos, Introduction to sensory processing, The senses and Strategies.
The senses
Strategies
The strategies may help your child to engage in their daily activities and routines by doing something differently. As Laura says in the video, you know your child best and by trying out one strategy at a time you will be able to monitor how these have, or have not helped. It can take time for new routines to be embedded and take effect.
We all have different levels of comfort and response to sensations from the world around us. This is usual and what makes us unique. The aim of our videos are to help you to better understand your child’s sensory processing preferences and challenges so that you can support them at home, at school and in the community.
Once you have watched the videos it is important that you try out strategies and adjustments that you think might help your child. It might be helpful to consider just one or two meaningful goals that you think is achievable. Use the Sensory strategies family record sheet to record your child's progress – this is an example and you can use your own ways of recording if you wish. It is important to monitor the things you have tried over a period of at least three months. This is because it takes time for change to happen and while some strategies might have an immediate impact on your child’s abilities to take part in activities, others might take longer.
Please use the Sensory strategies family record sheet to record your child's progress.
Stage 2: Parent/carer session with an occupational therapist
For many families, the information in the videos is enough to be able to support their child. If after three months of using different strategies, your child is still having difficulties participating in everyday activities due to their sensory processing challenges, you can make a referral to stage two.
If this referral is accepted you will be offered an appointment which is an online 30 minute one to one parent/carer only session with an occupational therapist. During this session your record sheet will form the basis for this discussion and you will be supported to consider what is working well, and what other strategies might be useful to explore. Bring some ideas about what you or your child would like to achieve, for example you might want to enable your child to be able to brush their hair or to try walking on the beach. Your child will be discharged from the pathway after this session.
Stage 3: Face to face sessions
To refer to stage three, a further re-referral is required by parents or a professional.
Parents/carers need to have trialled the strategies discussed in the online session for three months and evidence of this attached to the referral. At this stage, up to four face to face sessions with your child can be offered. The nature of these sessions will be based on the information in the referral and so it is important that you share what has helped your child and what they are still struggling with. Appointments might be at school, in a clinic, in a group or individually.
Sensory circuits
Sensory circuits is a program that is most often used in schools to support children get into a ready state for the activities ahead.
This workshop outlines the principles behind the program and shares top tips for setting up and running a successful sensory circuits group.
Many of the activities in the video can be used with individual children at home, school or out and about in the community. Therefore it not only supports
Useful websites and apps
Growing hands on kids
A site with ideas videos and information to support a child’s development. Some useful information videos.
OT Plan
Website with activities to support a child’s development. Choose by skill and activity.
Pinterest
Lots of fun sensory activity ideas for home.
Sensory Smarts
Website related to book ‘Raising a Sensory Smart Child’ – free advice and resources on website.
The Inspired Treehouse
Sensory ideas to help children pay attention.
Strategies according to Sense
Sight is processed through the ‘Visual’ sense. Visual sensory stimuli is ‘picked up’ through visual receptors located in the eye and are stimulated by light, colour and movement.
ARFID Awareness UK
The UK’s only registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and furthering information about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. As a not-for-profit, they work to provide individuals, parents, carers and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research and support.