What is Sensory seeking?
To put it in the most simple terms, it is when someone involuntarily has to seek out stimulation through touch, movement, taste and even sound.
This can include but is not limited to...
Touching everything (floors, walls, furniture)
Not sitting still
Repeatedly rocking or swaying
Licking or chewing non edible items
Clicking and taping
Seeks out loud noises or sounds
Squeezing into tight places, full body pressure
Obsession with strong odours (even bad ones)
Falling or jumping continuously and on purpose
Shiny lights or items that sparkle
Watching things that move repetitively
Plus many, many more.
Master 7 with Rex, his weighted sensory Dino!
Sensory seeking is found often in children with ASD. However it is also a disorder in and of itself known as Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD. This disorder not only covers sensory seeking behaviour but also sensory avoidance and children with SPD and ASD can have both seeking and avoiding sensory issues.
On a side note, just because your child has SPD it does not automatically mean they have ASD. Same goes for ASD, although it is very common in children with ASD, the two are not automatically related.
Sensory Processing is the ability to interpret and understand the information we receive through our senses. Children with sensory issues require either more or less sensory input depending on their own individual needs. Discovering what your child needs and when they need it is key.
This makes assisting children with any sensory processing issues a very complex situation. My first suggestion for anyone who thinks that their child has a sensory issue is to go and see an Occupational Therapist. They will be able to give you an individual guide to your child and assist with techniques in managing their sensory processing.
For our boys all of them have sensory issues, both seeking and avoiding. Master 7 is probably our toughest customer in this department as his sensory seeking is so sever that it affects his ability to do almost anything. It is also more sever outside the home. So at school or on outings when his environment is not in his control his sensory seeking becomes far more prominent and more difficult to manage.
In he classroom he has constant sensory issues. While he is constantly moving and touching everything he is however learning. He hears everything even when he is moving and not making eye contact. This had been a little bit of a learning curve for his teachers who at first thought he was not retaining anything.
Master 7 often appears to be in his own world, he does not make eye contact and his constant movements can distract them whole class. Luckily he has been with the same group of kids for 3 years now and they are getting used to his behaviour, he is also very quiet, which I’m sure his teacher appreciates.
But with the introduction of some fidget aids, Rex and verbal testing he is now in the top 10% of his class despite his constant sensory issues. His reading has improved so much that he actually reads books to himself now, something that 12 months ago was impossible.
Master 5 is also a sensory seeker, he feels the need to move his whole body all of the time. Falling, rocking, rolling and crawling are all favourite movements for him, he also likes to spin and wrestle constantly, something he is not allowed to do in class, so he is still adjusting.
Unfortunately he does not seem to be able to retain information at the same level as his peers. As this is only his first year at primary school we are still in the assessment stage to see where he sits academically. Once we have a better idea we will be able to set him up a learning plan and he will be entitled to more in class assistance.
Again with the introduction of some sensory aids we are hoping that he will be able to focus a little bit better during whole class time. During individual activities he does not seem to struggle as much. The one on one attention keeps him focused, unfortunately that can’t happen all day everyday, so we will have to see what works for him, it has been a big jump from Kindy to Prep.
Master 10’s main sensory input seeking is when under stress. Last year we went through 5 pairs of shoes as he pulls the soles of his joggers. I’m hoping now that all the staff know that him pulling at his shoe is a sign of distress that they will be able to intervene and allow him time in the calm room to decompress.
Master 10 has taken to wearing headphones all the time to reduce noise sensitivity.
Although he does have other sensory issues, including Gustatory, which is the sense of taste. Sensory seeking in this category includes licking and tasting non food objects. From eating paper to licking and tasting games and toys. He does not do this as often as he used to and we are hoping with age and therapy diversions he will eventually be able to stop, or at least not actually eat non food items.
Although some sensory seeking behaviour can be confronting it is important to remember that children with ASD have no control over their need to seek outside stimulus. It is not bad behaviour, nor is it intentionally done to disrupt or gain attention, in a lot of cases they don’t even realise they are doing it.
There is no cure for ASD. It is a disorder that has to be managed not magically fixed. Some sensory issues may dissipate over time, although they may not. Finding what works for the child and how to assist them in their day to day lives is key. Management and therapy are vital. As they grow and develop their needs and sensory needs will change.
Sensory processing is a huge part of our day to day here. It is something I am still learning about and the more research I do the more I realise I have to learn. Each child’s needs are as different as they are. Learning through trial and error is very time consuming but it is the only way. What works for one may not work for another. Sometimes the hard truth is that nothing works and you just have to accept the behaviour and work around it.
As always, I love your feedback. Please feel free to share your experiences or ideas in the comments. We can all learn from one and other together.
Thanks for reading.
Source:
Image 2: wikiHow
Have you ever heard of Irlen lenses? They are very useful for many people with ASD (and SPD) for reducing the impact of visual sensitivities.
No I haven’t, I will definitely look into it.
Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the ideas. I have referred these issues back to the Little Man's ABA therapist - I never thought to use OT. He has issues like slamming any doors he can find including fragile glass ones lol. The list goes on. As you say - it is always a work in progress to make our way through the sensory issues...
It is, it’s a day by day, issue by issue situation.
One step at a time. The OT has been fantastic for Master 7 and we are starting to see some progress in Master 5 as well, he has only been in OT sessions for a little while.
its good knowledge to share for others @mumofmany
Thank you, I hope it helps!
Nice post... I just put up one on my trip to Sandstone Point with the kids last year noting how it went pear shaped in the petting zoo b/c the boys and Miss 3 couldn’t handle the noise or the closeness of too many people and I had to abort and regroup...
Yep, it’s one kid those things were sometimes you just have to give up and try again later.