Sensory processing

Most of us are born with the ability to constantly manage sensory messages and organise them into the right response or behaviour.  We do this throughout our day, and most of the time are never aware of the significant amount of processing that is happening automatically in our brains.  For people with sensory processing disorder/sensory integration dysfunction this process is not happening as it should. This interferes with the way individuals process the sensations coming from their body and the world around them creating challenges in all aspects of life, for example learning, playing, motor skills, communicating with others, managing emotions to name a few. Our senses provide us with a means of interacting with our environment as well as allowing us to develop understanding and respond to the environment around us.

This means that some children may be unable to focus upon planned teaching activities as their sensory issues cause such discomfort or stimulation. This can have a profound effect upon their ability to access learning activities and in some cases can result in challenging behaviour. Therefore at White Ash school children are able to access a range of activities to meet their sensory processing needs. This ensures that they are ready to engage in the fun and exciting learning opportunities offered to them.

Children who have sensory difficulties may benefit from a sensory diet programme. These may include activities linked with the following sensory inputs:

• Proprioception - the sense though which we perceive the position and movement of our body, including our sense of equilibrium and balance
• Vestibular - the sensory system that provides the leading contribution to the sense of balance and spatial orientation
• Tactile                                                           
• Auditory
• Visual
• Smell
• Taste

Activities included in sensory diets:     

• Deep Pressure
• Trampolining
• Walking
• Trampette
• Sensory Processing
• Peanut ball
• Chewy Chews
• Weighted Blankets/Rucksacks
• Fun With Food (fussy eaters)
• Tactile Desensitisation
• Fun With Food (food sensitivity)