Do you have a child who loves to crash, jump, bump, run, whirl and spin? A child who simply WILL NOT sit still?! Chances are you have a “sensory seeker”! Or do you instead have a child who is very “laid back,” sluggish, sedentary, tends to be a t.v./computer kid? In that case, chances are good you have a passive “under-responder.”
Often, when we think about Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), we tend to think of the kids who can’t stand tags in their shirts, children who are picky eaters, or kids with motion sensitivity. These are signs of over-responsiveness to sensory input and while this is definitely one type of SPD, we cannot ignore their under-responsive peers.
When we are talking about over- and under-responsivity to sensory input, we are really talking about the specific skill of sensory modulation – the ability to make sense of sensory input and respond to it appropriately in order to stay organized and focused. Sensory modulation difficulties fall under the umbrella diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder.
About Gwen Wild, OTR/LGwen Wild is the owner of Sensational Brain Co. She is also on the faculty of Summit Professional Education and travels nationwide speaking on the topic of “Creating and Implementing Effective Sensory Diets for Children and Teens.”
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