Challenges of Sensory Processing in Children with Autism

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Challenges of Sensory Processing in Children with
Autism
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Contents

• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder in Autistic Children
• Causes of Sensory Processing Disorder
• Signs Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder
• Challenges of SPD in Autistic Children
• Diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder
• Sensory Integration Therapy
• Sensory Integration Therapies for Autistic
  Children

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Sensory Processing Disorder

• Sensory processing, also known as sensory
  integration, refers to the way in which our
  nervous system receives, interprets, and responds
  to sensory information from the environment.
  Sensory information includes things we see, hear,
  touch, taste, and smell. Our nervous system then
  processes this information and helps us to
  respond in an appropriate manner. Sensory
  processing is important for everyday activities
  such as communication, social interactions, motor
  skills, and overall well-being. For individuals
  with sensory processing differences or
  difficulties, sensory information may be
  processed differently, leading to challenges in
  their daily lives. This can include sensory
  seeking (seeking out more sensory input than
  typical), sensory avoiding (avoiding certain
  sensory input), or sensory sensitivity (becoming
  overwhelmed or distressed by certain sensory
  input). Sensory processing challenges can occur
  in individuals with various conditions such as
  autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or
  other developmental differences.

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Sensory Processing Disorder in Autistic Children

• Sensory integration in children with autism
  refers to the way in which their nervous system
  receives, interprets, and responds to sensory
  information from the environment. Children with
  autism often experience sensory processing
  differences, meaning that they may process
  sensory information differently from typically
  developing children. This can lead to challenges
  in their daily lives, including difficulties with
  social communication, behavior, and everyday
  activities.

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Sensory Processing Disorder in Autistic Children

• Some common sensory processing differences in
  children with autism include
• Sensory sensitivity Children with autism may
  become easily overwhelmed or distressed by
  certain sensory input, such as loud noises,
  bright lights, or certain textures.
• Sensory seeking Some children with autism may
  actively seek out more sensory input than
  typical, such as spinning, jumping, or touching
  objects.
• Sensory avoiding Other children with autism may
  avoid certain sensory input, such as avoiding
  touching certain textures or avoiding loud
  places.

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Sensory Processing Disorder in Autistic Children

• The differences in sensory processing can have a
  significant impact on the child's behaviour and
  overall well-being. For example, a child with
  sensory sensitivity may become overwhelmed in a
  noisy classroom, leading to increased stress and
  decreased attention. A child who is sensory
  seeking may engage in repetitive or
  self-stimulatory behaviours to fulfil their
  sensory needs, leading to challenges in social
  interaction. Sensory integration therapy is a
  common intervention used to support children with
  autism and sensory processing differences. This
  therapy involves structured activities that aim
  to provide the child with appropriate sensory
  input to help regulate their nervous system and
  improve their ability to process sensory
  information. Environmental modifications, such as
  providing a quiet space or using visual supports,
  can also be helpful in supporting sensory needs
  in children with autism.

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Causes of Sensory Processing Disorder

• Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition
  in which the brain has difficulty receiving and
  interpreting sensory information from the
  environment, which can lead to a range of
  challenges with movement, behavior, and
  socialization. SPD is often associated with
  autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and research
  suggests that up to 80 of children with ASD may
  also have SPD. The causes of SPD in autistic
  children are not yet fully understood, but there
  are several factors that may contribute to the
  development of the condition. These include

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Causes of Sensory Processing Disorder

• Genetic factors Research has shown that there
  may be a genetic component to both ASD and SPD.
  Studies have identified specific genes that are
  associated with sensory processing difficulties,
  and these genes may be more common in children
  with ASD.
• Brain development Early brain development plays
  a crucial role in the development of sensory
  processing abilities. In some children with ASD,
  there may be differences in the way that the
  brain processes sensory information, which can
  contribute to SPD.
• Environmental factors Exposure to certain
  environmental factors, such as toxins or
  infections during pregnancy, may increase the
  risk of developing both ASD and SPD.
  Additionally, experiences in early childhood,
  such as traumatic events or neglect, may
  contribute to the development of SPD.
• Neurological conditions Children with other
  neurological conditions, such as ADHD or
  developmental coordination disorder, may be more
  likely to also have SPD.

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Signs Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder

• The major signs and symptoms of sensory
  processing disorder include
• Over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to touch,
  taste, smell, sight, or sound
• Difficulty with balance and coordination
• Sensitivity to certain fabrics or clothing
  textures
• Refusal to wear certain types of clothing or
  shoes
• Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as
  holding a pencil or using scissors
• Difficulty with gross motor skills, such as
  running or jumping
• Poor attention and focus
• Easily overwhelmed in busy or noisy environments
• Intense emotional reactions to sensory stimuli
• Delayed speech or language development

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Challenges of SPD in Autistic Children

• Sensory processing disorder (SPD) can present
  unique challenges for children with autism
  spectrum disorder (ASD). It is important for
  parents, caregivers, and teachers to be aware of
  the challenges that children with ASD and SPD may
  face and to provide appropriate support and
  accommodations to help them thrive. This may
  include sensory-friendly environments,
  specialized therapies, and individualized
  education plans.

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Challenges of SPD in Autistic Children

• Here are some of the challenges that children
  with ASD and SPD may face
• Difficulty processing sensory information
  Children with ASD may have difficulty processing
  sensory information from the environment, which
  can lead to overstimulation, discomfort, and
  anxiety.
• Unusual reactions to sensory input Children with
  ASD and SPD may have unusual reactions to sensory
  input, such as being hypersensitive to certain
  sounds or textures, or seeking out sensory
  stimulation in unusual ways.
• Communication difficulties Children with ASD and
  SPD may struggle to communicate their sensory
  needs and preferences, which can make it
  difficult for caregivers and teachers to provide
  appropriate support.

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Challenges of SPD in Autistic Children

• Behavioral challenges Children with ASD and SPD
  may exhibit challenging behaviors in response to
  sensory input, such as avoidance, tantrums, or
  self-injurious behaviors.
• Difficulty with social interactions Children
  with ASD and SPD may have difficulty with social
  interactions, which can be further complicated by
  sensory challenges.
• Impaired learning Children with ASD and SPD may
  struggle to learn and participate in educational
  activities that require certain sensory skills,
  such as handwriting or fine motor activities.

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Diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder

• The diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder is
  typically made by a licensed healthcare
  professional, such as an occupational therapist,
  psychologist, or pediatrician. It is important to
  seek out a qualified healthcare professional with
  experience in sensory processing disorders for an
  accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
  Jewel Autism Centre offers the best diagnosis for
  sensory processing disorders and provided the
  best treatment with timely updations and therapy
  materials under the sensory integration therapy
  approaches. The therapy program focuses on
  evaluation and training of gross motor skills,
  fine motor skills, cognitive-perceptual skills,
  pre-writing skills, activities of daily living,
  social skills, play skills, and sensory
  integrative dysfunction.

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Diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder

• The diagnostic process typically involves a
  comprehensive evaluation of the individual's
  sensory processing abilities, which may include
• Medical history The healthcare professional will
  take a detailed medical history, including the
  individual's developmental history, family
  history, and any current symptoms or concerns.
• Sensory profile The healthcare professional may
  use a standardized questionnaire or sensory
  profile to assess the individual's sensory
  processing patterns and behaviors.
• Direct observation The healthcare professional
  may directly observe the individual's sensory
  processing abilities through play-based or
  task-oriented activities.

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Diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder

• Parent/teacher reports The healthcare
  professional may also gather information from
  parents, teachers, or other caregivers about the
  individual's sensory behaviors and how they
  affect daily functioning.
• Diagnostic criteria The healthcare professional
  will consider the diagnostic criteria for SPD, as
  outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
  of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which includes
  criteria for both sensory sensitivity and sensory
  seeking behaviors.

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Sensory Integration Therapy

• Sensory integration therapy is a type of therapy
  that aims to help individuals with sensory
  processing disorders to better integrate and
  respond to sensory information from their
  environment. Sensory processing disorders can
  affect how individuals perceive and respond to
  various sensory inputs such as touch, sound,
  smell, taste, and visual stimuli. The goal of
  sensory integration therapy is to help
  individuals with sensory processing disorders to
  better adapt to and interact with their
  environment. It can be helpful for individuals
  with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder,
  attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
  and developmental delays. However, it is
  important to note that sensory integration
  therapy is not a cure for these conditions and
  should be used as part of a comprehensive
  treatment plan.

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Sensory Integration Therapies for Autistic
Children

• Here are some common therapies for sensory
  integration disorder in autistic children
• Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on helping children
with autism develop the skills they need to
perform daily activities, including sensory
integration. An occupational therapist can work
with children to develop sensory diets, which are
individualized plans that incorporate specific
sensory activities to help regulate their sensory
system.
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Sensory Integration Therapies for Autistic
Children

• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
• ABA is a type of therapy that is often used to
  treat autism. It involves breaking down complex
  behaviors into smaller, more manageable steps and
  teaching them in a structured and repetitive way.
  ABA can also be used to help children with
  sensory integration disorder learn how to process
  and respond to sensory information more
  effectively.

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Sensory Integration Therapies for Autistic
Children

• Speech Therapy

Speech therapy can help children with autism
improve their communication skills, which can
also help them better understand and process
sensory information. For example, a speech
therapist may work with a child to help them
learn how to identify and describe different
sensory experiences.
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Sensory Integration Therapies for Autistic
Children

• Play Therapy

Play therapy can be a useful tool for helping
children with autism develop their sensory
integration skills. Play therapists can use
sensory-rich activities, such as sand play, water
play, or finger painting, to help children
explore and regulate their sensory systems.
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Visit Our Website to more about Sensory
Processing in Children with Autism
https//www.jewelautismcentre.com/departments/sens
ory-integration-therapy-autism/
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