I started to write about this last week but as it’s such a huge topic I decided to dedicate this week to it. If you don’t know what sensory processing is, here is a definition for you from Wikipedia.

“Sensory processing is the process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and the environment, thus making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment.”

This is a bit confusing but essentially it means the way you interact with the world through your senses.

Traditionally we think of ourselves as having five senses – Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch. For processing purposes I would include two extras – Proprioception and Interoception. These two you might not be familiar with.

Proprioception is perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body. This is why some people love a weighted blanket, the pressure on their body is helpful in regulating their emotions, it makes them feels safe. For some people a tight hug will do the same!

Interoception is an awareness of what is going on within your body. Our daughter is on the hypo (low sensitivity) end of the spectrum for this sense. This is why we have to be very aware of what might be going on with her in terms of mood as it might be that she is in pain and isn’t aware of where it’s coming from. She once had a burst eardrum and didn’t know it, we knew something was wrong but it took a few days until we worked out what it was. I’m sure you can tell that having low sensitivity here is dangerous.

When it comes to sensory processing we are all on a spectrum of how we handle each sense. We can have varying levels of sensitivity for each sense. My husband for example has a hyper (high) sensitivity to sound. He literally flinches as certain sounds, a spoon against a cup, a scrape of a knife on a plate, an unexpected loud laugh from a child! Where as I would say I have hypo (low) sensitivity to sound. Kids can make as much noise as they like and I can carry on with what I’m doing uninterrupted!

It’s really helpful recognising where your own sensitivities are as you can then begin to get more sympathy for those with sensory processing disorders. Often those on the Autism Spectrum easily become overwhelmed when there is a lot of sensory information to handle.

Think of walking into a supermarket. Immediately you’re hit with the bright lighting and signs everywhere, some swinging from the ceiling, as well as people all around in clashing colours. Then the sound of different voices chatting, babies crying, possibly music playing, beeping of the checkout and trolley wheels rolling. The smell of the cafe or the pumped through smell from the bakery, along with the food smells and the body odour of people all around. The feel of the trolley handle, the label on your clothes, your socks’ seams, the possibility of being bumped into. Needing to be aware of what you’re doing with your body as you walk around, how to avoid bumping things with the trolley, using the self scan machine, or brave a stranger by checking out with someone, the consideration of whether your body needs anything, are you hungry or thirsty, do you need to go to the bathroom, are you getting anxious? That’s before you even think about what you’re there to buy.

Feeling stressed yet? Imagine that on a daily basis in every setting you enter and maybe you’ll begin to see why it can be hard for a child to hold in their emotions. They may be able to do it while they’re in the store or at school but get them home and a meltdown is imminent.

The better we understand how overwhelming the world is for those with Sensory Processing Disorders the more compassionate we’ll become. We won’t roll our eyes when we hear of a supermarket having times of low sensory input for certain shoppers, we’ll applaud them. We won’t tut at the parent as they handle a child lying on the floor crying with their hands over their ears.

There are so many different ways we interact with the world that we can make easier for those with processing disorders. If it’s your own child you can cut the labels out of their tops, you can buy them seamless socks, you can set the washing machine to be on when they’re not in earshot.

It’s good to gradually try to decrease or increase sensitivity to help us to cope better in the world. Sean for instance won’t say anything about a single tap of a spoon on a cup but when it gets to the fifth or sixth time he will need to ask if it’s really necessary!

Tolerance is preached everywhere so let’s learn to be kind to ourselves as well as those around us. We’re all so different and different doesn’t mean wrong!