Sensory Processing Disorder Treatment in Monroe, West Monroe, & Ruston, LA
How Occupational Therapy Helps Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory processing disorder happens when a child’s nervous system has trouble making sense of sights, sounds, textures, and other everyday input, leaving them either overwhelmed or less responsive to it. Building Futures Pediatric Therapy offers occupational therapy and hippotherapy at clinics in Monroe, West Monroe, and Ruston, LA, to help children build the skills to handle sensory input with more comfort and confidence.
Sensory Processing Disorder Treatment in Monroe, West Monroe, & Ruston, LA
Does your child seem to get easily overwhelmed in noisy or crowded places? Have you noticed them covering their ears in response to sounds that don’t seem too loud to you? These behaviors could be a sign that your child is struggling with sensory processing disorder. Learn more about this condition, how it can impact your child, and how our occupational therapists can empower them to overcome sensory processing difficulties.
What Is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition that affects how the nervous system interprets and responds to sensory information. This includes the common senses we all know: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. But it also includes more specific senses that help your child balance, coordinate their body’s movement, know when they are too hot or too cold, and more.
Children with SPD are either too sensitive to the information in their environment (hypersensitive), or not sensitive enough to recognize it (hyposensitive). In both cases, this can cause challenges in your child’s ability to handle daily activities like going to school or taking care of their body’s needs.
Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder in Hypersensitive Children
The most common signs of SPD for children who are overly sensitive include:
- Intense emotional responses to their environment
- Low pain tolerance
- Refusing or resisting hugs
- Struggles with gross motor skills, like balance or coordination
- Strong reactions to certain sounds, smells, textures, etc.
- Easily startled by loud noises or sudden movements
- Discomfort or distress with light touch, such as clothing tags
- Picky eating habits
- Difficulty adapting to new environments or activities
- Trouble focusing or paying attention
- Struggles with fine motor skills, like handwriting
Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder in Hyposensitive Children
The most common signs of SPD for children who are under sensitive include include:
- High pain tolerance
- Lack of awareness of being dirty
- Often breaks objects or hurts others while playing (on accident)
- Constant movement or fidgeting to self-stimulate
- Often doesn’t notice loud sounds, bright lights, etc.
- Difficulty recognizing personal space boundaries
- Trouble understanding emotional cues from others
- Poor fine and gross motor coordination.
- Difficulty self-regulating emotions and behaviors
How Occupational Therapy Treats Sensory Processing Disorder
Our occupational therapists use proven, play-based techniques to help children overcome sensory processing challenges. We tailor your child’s treatment plan to their unique needs and use fun, sensory activities to help them overcome their SPD.
The Wilbarger Protocol for Sensory Processing
One of the techniques we utilize is the Wilbarger Protocol. This approach involves pressure and brushing techniques to help children get used to sensory input and improve their ability to regulate their responses to it.
Hippotherapy for Sensory Processing
Another treatment we offer is hippotherapy. This innovative approach involves working with horses to assist in your child’s therapy, which is an exciting activity that motivates them to push past their sensory challenges because they want to ride or brush the horses.
Free Developmental Screening
If you’re concerned about your child’s development, you can take advantage of our free online developmental screening. This tool is a convenient way for parents to know with certainty if your child is achieving their developmental milestones or if they need extra support to achieve their brightest future.
FreQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does sensory processing difficulty look like?
Some children are overwhelmed by sounds, lights, clothing, textures or busy places. Others seek lots of movement, crash into things, chew on objects or seem unaware of mess, pain or personal space.
Is sensory processing the same as bad behavior?
No. A child who is overwhelmed or seeking sensory input may look like they are misbehaving, but often their body is having trouble managing the information coming in. Understanding the trigger can change how adults respond.
Can occupational therapy help with sensory processing?
Yes. Occupational therapy can help children build regulation skills, tolerate daily routines and get the sensory input they need in safer, more organized ways.
What is a sensory diet?
A sensory diet is a set of planned activities that help a child’s body feel more regulated. It might include movement, heavy work, calming activities or texture exposure depending on what your child needs.
How can parents make daily routines easier?
Your therapist can help you adjust routines like dressing, meals, bathing, transitions or bedtime. Often small changes, like preparing the child before a transition or adding movement before seated tasks, can help a lot.