Children but also adults sometimes suffer from sensory information processing problems. There are certainly some myths, but also important facts. I would like to share here 10 things you need to know about problems in sensory information processing.
1. Sensory information processing problems hinder daily functioning.
Sensory information processing problems are not always a recognized diagnosis. But if you are struggling with stimuli processing problems, this can indeed cause a daily struggle in some areas. Proper help and support can make a huge difference. Children and adults with sensory information processing problems do experience many problems in daily functioning. It’s a REALLY a functioning problem.
2. We have 8 senses that influence our sensory system
Many people do not know that we have 8 senses that influence our functioning, most people only know the 5 basic senses: hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling and tasting. The 3 other extra senses are: Proprioception (for example deep pressure that calms the body), Interoception (for example hunger and thirst feeling, the signals that your body plays from inside your body) and Vestibular (balance). Read more about the 8 senses
3. Anyone can have sensory processing problems
Stimulus processing problems are more common and not only in people with autism. You also don’t have to have sensory processing disorder to be autistic.
4. Not everyone is a stimulus seeker
You may be over- or under-sensitive or even experience a combination of both. Stimulus seekers are usually those who, as the name suggests, are looking for a stimulus so a certain hunger or urge for more and stronger stimuli. Stimulus avoiders are those who do everything they can to avoid that stimulus (or stimuli). You may be a seeker for one sense and an avoider for another sense, or it may change depending on the environment or situation you are in at the time.
If your child is under- or hypersensitive, read it here.
5. A stimulus processing problem is not a behavioral problem
A stimulus processing problem is the result of wrong messages that are mentioned or transmitted from the senses to the brain. Information comes in too strong or not strong enough, which can lead to different reactions in behavior.
6. Sensory information processing problems are indeed serious
It’s a big deal, so acknowledge, understand, and accept it. People who have no knowledge about stimulus processing problems may consider someone who “overreacts” to be too sensitive or simply encourage the person to “get started, and do a better job, but for the person experiencing sensory problems, the situation can really be too difficult and extremely intense. Take this person seriously, give time and space so that the person with stimulus processing problems can relax.
7. Dealing with sensory information processing problems
There are many different strategies you can use to help someone with stimulus processing problems, but first you need to understand how the person is processing stimuli. When you have insight into whether the person is under- or hypersensitive and to which stimuli, you can find and apply suitable strategies to better respond to and deal with stimuli. It is also important for the person himself to gain insight into his own sensory profile (stimulus processing) in order to know how to deal with various situations.
8. People with stimulus processing problems are not stupid
Social reactions are not the same as intelligence. People with problems in sensory information processing can sometimes show striking reactions in social situations, this is an elaboration of the many stimuli that come in. Sensory information processing is a spectrum and can occur in all areas of intelligence.
9. You don’t ‘grow’ over it
It is not that you can only temporarily experience problems in dealing with sensory stimuli, this does not go away. Your sensitivity will always be present, but you can learn to deal with your problems and develop various helping strategies to understand your stimulus processing a little better and improve your daily functioning.
10. Prevention of Sensory Information Processing Problems
Compared to the average population, sensory information processing problems are seen significantly more often in gifted children, children with ADHD, autism and children with fragile X syndrome.
Read more about autism and overstimulation
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