Tag: Sensory Overload

Understanding Sensory Processing Symptoms

On By justmymomsenseIn Sensory Processing AwarenessLeave a comment

If you’ve ever wondered why your child covers their ears at the sound of a vacuum, avoids certain clothes, or seems to crave movement all the time, you’re not alone. For me, I felt like I had pieces of a puzzle and on their own, they didn’t mean much but when I started putting them together, a bigger picture was being formed.

Sensory processing is how the brain receives and responds to input from our senses (touch, sound, taste, smell, sight, movement, and body awareness). For most people, the brain organizes these signals automatically. But for those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or sensory differences, the system can get a little tangled.

Some pieces of the puzzle we were collecting back when my 11 year old was 3:

  • Back in 2017, he wanted to be Woody for Halloween. The back of his costume closed with velcro. This was the first time we really noticed a piece of clothing bothering him. The sound, the feel of it, everything bothered him. To this day, he cuts all tags out of his clothing.
  • 2017 was also when his sister was born. If we were in the car and she started to cry, he would start to cry and beg us to help her and take him home. He had similar reactions to others crying, including friends.
  • He was visibly overwhelmed in crowds and even during a drive-thru Christmas light display.

I talked in an earlier blog on how I started collecting these pieces and googling, while also consulting with his speech therapist. The experience opened our eyes to what sensory processing really means and how it affects everyday life in ways most people don’t even notice.

At 11, he’s able to recognize when things are too much or too overwhelming for him. His sister has had her own sensory experiences. It’s been interesting to see the overlaps and the differences in what can affect them in their individual sensory processing.

Sensory processing symptoms can vary wildly, but they often fall into two main categories: sensory avoiding and sensory seeking.

Sensory Avoiding

Kids who are sensory avoiders might:

  • Cover their ears or run from loud noises (like hand dryers or fire alarms)
  • Refuse certain fabrics, tags, or seams in clothing
  • Dislike being touched or hugged unexpectedly
  • Avoid crowded or visually “busy” spaces
  • Prefer dim lights and quiet settings

They’re not being “difficult,” their brains are simply trying to protect them from sensory overload.

Sensory Seeking

On the flip side, sensory seekers might:

  • Constantly move, jump, spin, or crash into things
  • Touch everything within reach (including people!)
  • Make loud noises or seek vibration
  • Love messy play or crave strong tastes and textures
  • Find calm through deep pressure, like a weighted blanket or tight hug

Kids (and adults) can also be sensory seeking with certain things, but sensory avoiders with others.

Recognizing sensory processing symptoms isn’t about labeling a child, it’s about understanding them. When we start to see the “why” behind behaviors, everything changes. Instead of frustration, there’s compassion. Instead of punishment, there’s support.

Here are a few small ways to make a big difference:

  • Create a sensory-safe space or bucket at home. For example: a cozy corner with fidgets, soft lighting, and weighted items.
  • Build sensory breaks into the day: a swing in the yard, a walk after school, or quiet time with a favorite texture.
  • Work with an occupational therapist (OT) who specializes in sensory integration.
  • Follow your child’s lead. They’ll show you what they need, sometimes with words, sometimes with behavior.

Sensory processing isn’t about “fixing” our kids. It’s about understanding their world and helping them feel comfortable in it. Every sensory system is unique and that’s what makes our kids who they are.

If this topic speaks to you, you might also enjoy my post on my favorite sensory tools and items that have helped in our home.

You know yourself and your child best. Trust your gut, trust your “MomSense” because having the knowledge and the right tools can make all the difference.

Sensory Overload

On By justmymomsenseIn Sensory Resources1 Comment

What does sensory overload look like for you? The truth is, sensory overload can look different for everyone.

According to Queensland Health:

Sensory overload is when your five senses—light, sound, taste, touch, and smell—take in more information that your brain can process. Overwhelmed by all the input, the brain responds as it would to a life-threatening situation and enters fight, flight, or freeze mode.

You can read more from Queensland Health by clicking here.

Understanding the why behind someone’s reaction to their environment is the key to helping them get through it. A child may seem like they’re acting out in a busy store, but in reality, the lights and sounds are just too much for them. An adult at a party may need to leave the room for a bit and get some fresh air. The music, smells of different food and all the people may feel incredibly overwhelming.

Recognizing your own or someone else’s symptoms when experiencing sensory overload can be so beneficial. You’re able to come up with a game plan, code words, bringing items like fidget toys or ear plugs; all the tools one may need in order to properly process the environment around them.

Once again I’m going to shout out Sensory Spectacle. Over on their site, they have downloadable resources under ‘Shop’ and some of which are free! Click here for a printable resource from Sensory Spectacle all about sensory overload. It contains helpful information and characteristics of sensory overload.

Overloads and Reactions

On By justmymomsenseIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Every child with SPD is going to handle a sensory overload differently. This makes sense since the causes can vary, why wouldn’t the outcome?

For ‘J,’ there are so many things that can affect how he reacts to a situation where he’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s making a loud noise, other times it’s an actual scream. He could break down crying, get fidgety, act out or sometimes just give me a look where I can see he just needs some reassurance.

Most of the time we can be proactive in situations and deter whatever may affect him. At the very least, we always try to prep him from what he may see, hear or experience in any situation. If you’ve read this blog before, you know he’s huge on routine, so having a heads up to something new is always helpful.

Of course with a scream, people around us (family, friends, strangers) will notice. Being fidgety, acting out or giving us a look can be trickier. We know that he’s uncomfortable and we’re trying to get a handle on it or make it ok while those around us are clueless.

As I’ve talked about before, because SPD isn’t something you can see, people don’t always think through their actions because to them, ‘J’ often appears carefree. Someone we know might invite us to a big party, which is great and usually ends up being fine but we also know that ‘J’ will never be 100% comfortable. Others may play loud music, change up a routine, or try to play around by surprising him. His reaction can definitely run the gamut in these instances from giving a look to an all out meltdown.

When this isn’t a part of someone’s ever day life, it’s not a natural instinct to think through the moves you make. But taking an extra minute to think through actions can make all the difference to someone with sensory sensitivities.

OT and Sensory Processing

On By justmymomsenseIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

This is another question I’m often asked whenever someone learns that J is going to Occupational Therapy (OT).

As I mentioned in a previous post, J was wiped out after his first session of OT and definitely a bit off during his second. I felt that he was more sensitive, being triggered more easily and not listening as well as he normally does. I posed the question in some of the SPD Groups I joined on FaceBook. As I assumed, this is all normal. Other parents had experienced the same with their child in the beginning stages of OT, and some even continued as time went on. One mom shared her concern over her son being sensitive after his OT sessions. She has a cousin that is also an Occupational Therapist and reached out to her to see if this was a typical reaction. Her cousin assured her that it was perfectly normal. She explained that it may be a delayed reaction from being in an environment that felt good and organized his body. When going back to regular life, it kind of kicks the sensory system out of whack. She recommended discussing strategies with his therapist for the transition. I will be taking this advice as well.

Ok, but what does OT actually do to help with sensory integration? The following was taken directly from the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder’s website:

Occupational therapy with a sensory integration approach typically takes place in a sensory-rich environment sometimes called the “OT gym.” During OT sessions, the therapist guides the child through fun activities that are subtly structured so the child is constantly challenged, but always successful.

The goal of Occupational Therapy is to foster appropriate responses to sensation in an active, meaningful, and fun way so the child is able to behave in a more functional manner. Over time, the appropriate responses generalize to the environment beyond the clinic including home, school, and the larger community. Effective occupational therapy thus enables children with SPD to take part in the normal activities of childhood, such as playing with friends, enjoying school, eating, dressing, and sleeping.  

We’re still in the beginning stages of OT. It will take a lot of work and I look forward to coming up with the right sensory diet for J. This will help prevent or help us better deal with triggers. Like I said before, hard work pays off!

Click here to learn more from the STAR Institute.