Sensory challenges



Sensory Challenges

 It is necessary that we gain an understanding of the senses which play an important role in our lives and that of an autistic child
- hearing
- sight
- taste
- touch

Sensory Defensiveness

 Our senses
Hearing
Sight
Taste
Touch
Children with ASD are either over stimulated or under simulated
Have difficulty in processing sensory information resulting in either over or under stimulation in at least one or even more channels

Distress over change in environment

Hearing

  • Everyday sounds may be painful
  • Hearing too well (can hear low frequency sounds)
  • Hearing too many things together
  • Unable to filter out unwanted sounds
  • Auditory processing difficulty

Sight

  • Difficulty in height, width and depth perception
  • Distorted image
  • Fascination effect and scattered vision may be present
  • Tunnel vision may be present
  • Likes pictures and printed words

Smell (Olfactory)

  • Smells everything
  • Sniffs inappropriately
  • Can remember places and events better through smell
  • Allergic to certain smells

Taste (Gustatory)

  • Is fussy about food
  • Has some personal foods
  • Likes finger foods and savories

Tactile

  • Is fussy about food
  • Avoids being hugged
  • Preference to certain texture
  • Preference to certain garments
  • Will not like to touch mushy food
  • Will not walk on wet floor or surface
  • Likes deep massages (sponge, brush, vibrator)
  • Exhibits lack of responsiveness to pain and injuries

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Hidden senses - Vestibular and Propioception

Vestibular system
Functions:- Maintain equilibrium of the body

  • Movement of head and eyes, Body balance while walking, climbing and sitting.
  • Centre of the system fluid in the inner ear. Indicators
  • Head tilted
  • Unusual walk
  • Need to spin
  • Need to jump and run around
  • Stereotyped motor behaviour

Proprioceptive system
Functions: - Self awareness knowing body limits

  • Eye-hand co-ordination
  • Knowing how much pressure is required to hold objects or carry out an activity
  • Centre of the system joints and tendons.

Indicators

  • Difficulty in imitation
  • Walking inappropriately.
  • Flapping of hands.

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