Autism and Sensory Processing

autism sensory processing

Autism Sensory Processing

It can be so overwhelming as a Parent when you learn that your child has a disability. You will try and learn as much as you can to help your child, but it can be overwhelming even knowing where to start to begin with.

One key area for all parents of Autistic children to understand is that of Autism and Sensory Processing.

In this post I give you a brief overview of what sensory processing is and also some additional information on sensory processing to consider.

What is sensory processing?

Sensory processing is how the brain receives messages from the sensory systems.

Sensory Processing is essentially how we organize the information we take in innately from our bodies, and also the extrinsic factors from the outside world.

It is ceaseless in that it occurs all the time, we are unaware of it’s existence (until there is a problem) because it is cyclical, ever happening, it is ceaseless and automatic. It occurs in the nervous system, which consists of 100 billion neurons, a spinal cord and a brain (Kranowitz, 2005).

Our Brain works to process all the sensations that are “taken in” by our Sensory Systems, if we do not have SPD, we automatically adapt and respond enabling ourselves to inhabit our environment with ease.

Sensory Processing can be broken down into the following stages-

  • Reception,
  • Detection,
  • Integration,
  • Modulation,
  • Discrimination,
  • Sensory-based Motor Skills
  • Postural Responses,
  • Praxis.

What is sensory integration?

Sensory integration is how the brain incorporates all the information and directs a response.

What is self regulation?

Self regulation is the ability to regulate and control one’s emotions, understand and manage our personal responses.

What is sensory dysregulation?

Dysregulation is the difficulty in processing sensory input in an organized manner.

free visual supports autism

Components to effective Sensory Processing

Reception

Essentially the process conducted in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS-system outside of brain and spinal cord) wherein millions of sensations are received (from our Sensory Systems) and travel through the PNS to our Central Nervous System (CNS – the brain and the spinal cord).

Detection

It is the process within the CNS wherein all of these sensations are acknowledged.

Integration 

The meeting place in the brain. All of the different sensations created by the differing Sensory Systems “meet” together in the brain. The brain acts as a “connector”,  integrating the differing sensations thereafter encouraging the body to adapt appropriately to the messages received.

Modulation

This occurs in the Central Nervous System (CNS). The brain acts as a moderator/regulator of all sensory input,encouraging all of the sensations to synchronize so that they  it helps all work as “one”, in tandem. Modulation instantly adjusts and balances the flow of sensory information into the CNS, (Kranowitz, 2005).

Modulation is incredibly important to every aspect our lives, this is the power process that helps us to self-regulate. Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD) is one of the most common forms of SPD among children. (A future post will discuss SMD)

Sensory Discrimination

To discriminate is to be able to tell the difference of temporal and spatial characteristics of sensations. Sensory Discrimination is the ability to discriminate between differing sensory stimuli. As the child matures neurologically so too will their sensory discrimination abilities.

autism toilet training

Sensory-based Motor Skills

Once the CNS has received-detected-integrated-modulated-discriminated all incoming sensory messages, it then sends out newly formatted messages which prepare the child/adult to take action.

Postural Responses 

This is the body’s ability to pull itself upwards against the pull of gravity. It is the ability to retain a stable position when carrying out an activity, to be able to maintain your equilibrium and bilateral co-ordination when moving.  (Kranowitz, 2005)

Praxis

Also know as motor planning- is the learned ability to carry out coordinated and voluntary actions. It is based partly on unconscious sensory processing and conscious thought. (Kranowitz, 2005)

Sensory Processing involves input, organization, output.
No one part of the Central Nervous System works alone.
Messages must go back and forth from part to another. (Kranowitz, 2005)

References-

“The Out of Sync Child” by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A
Publisher – The Penguin Group 2005

 

4 Comments

  • Mairead December 7, 2015 at 7:51 am

    Hi Amanda. I just love your blog. Keep up the good work. X

  • Nicola December 8, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    Brilliant post Amanda, you’re an inspiration. I have to admit when my daughter received her diagnosis I read and read and found it all so overwhelming that I think I forgot most of it too!!

    • Amanda Mc Guinness December 8, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks so much Nicola.xx I am so glad you liked the postx I have heaps more to do of course but trying to not over load the posts with too much information so will create posts each week and hopefully that will help other parents .x Hope ye are all set for Christmas.xxx

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