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We all have our preferences when it comes to processing stimuli. Or rather, we all have our aversion to certain stimuli. For example, you avoid crowded spaces because you don’t like it when others bump into you. You don’t go to the cinema because you think the sound there is too loud. Or you don’t like the tickle of a wool sweater on your skin. All stimuli that we experience and that every highly sensitive person deals with differently. In this article you can read more about the characteristics of stimulus processing problems.
This is exactly the same with children. But when is it time to sound the alarm? When is your child experiencing disturbed stimulus processing? When the preference for and aversion to certain stimuli are so strong that they get in the way of daily activities and routines, it is time to sound the alarm.
Does your highly sensitive child have problems with one or more of the following parts of the daily routine?
These signals indicate a disturbed stimulus processing. This means that your highly sensitive child is hypersensitive or undersensitive to sensory stimuli.
If your child is clearly bothered by this, it is important to delve more into the subject of ‘stimulus processing‘ and to learn about the characteristics of stimulus processing problems and how you can support your child in this. So read on…
Disturbed stimulus processing does not only have to be overstimulated. By this we mean a child who is sensitive to stimuli, has difficulty with loud noises, suffers from a busy environment, etc.
Characteristics of stimulus processing problems also manifest themselves in a child who is understimulated . It may be that your child needs extra stimuli to activate his or her brain. Understimulated children often sink in with too few stimuli, sometimes there is a sleepy brain (sometimes in combination with ADD). In that case, it is important to look together at what stimuli your child needs to stay alert and concentrate.
A highly sensitive child experiences a lot of discomfort from disturbed stimulus processing. As a parent, you can help your highly sensitive child to regulate stimuli. Because every child reacts differently to stimuli, the way to relax is also different for every child. That is why there is no ready-made answer to how you can best support your child. But with the important tip below, I would like to help you in the right direction.
The most important tip I can give you is look at your child. What characteristics of stimulus processing problems do you see in your child? Explore together what your child finds difficult. Discuss and see with your child which activities and aids your child likes to calm the senses. Consult with your child and with third parties (such as the teacher) what helps your child to process stimuli and to feel comfortable in his or her own skin.
Also read -> Tips for Overstimulation
Most highly sensitive children benefit greatly from a weighted cuddly toy or weighted pillow. This allows them to relax on the couch on a stimulus-rich day. But swinging or jumping on the trampoline is also an effective way to process stimuli. In the summer, of course, you prefer to do this outside. If the weather is dirty, the Therapy Swing indoors is also a godsend.
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