It’s the Fourth of July weekend and families everywhere wait in anticipation for late afternoon picnics on the beach with a large group of friends and family, and excitement builds for the annual fireworks display that always follows. For some children (and adults) this holiday scenario, as well as many other common summertime activities, represent an overwhelming experience and may actually be a painful event for them.

A child who over-responds to sensory stimuli might have this experience instead:

• Can’t tolerate the feeling of wearing a scratchy bathing suit
• Squirms and complains loudly while getting sticky, strong-smelling sunscreen on their face and body
• Hates being covered with sand
• Difficulty with walking barefoot in the grass
• Covers ears in a loud crowd of people
• Hits someone for inadvertently bumping into them.
• A loud firework display leads to an inconsolable tantrum

If your child fits the above description, your child may have issues with their sensory development. Sensory development is the maturing of the five senses of hearing, smell, taste, touch and vision. It also involves the way your child’s nervous system receives input from these senses and then forms an appropriate response. For more information, see AP article: "How Your Child’s Sensory System Develops" (http://www.abilitypath.org/areas-of-development/physical-development/sensory/articles/articles/how-your-childs-sensory-system-develops.html)

Problems with sensory development occur when one’s responsiveness to sensory stimuli lead to inappropriate responses. One case of this is known as sensory over-stimulation. Sensory over-stimulation may result in your child having a tantrum, crying spells, physical aggression, or just ‘tuning out’ of the situation.

Links & Resources

Reference: Miller, LJ. (2006). Sensational Kids. New York, NY: Perigee Books.

http://www.spdnetwork.org/
Sensory Processing Disorder Network (SPD Network) provides resources for individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and for the family members, friends, therapists, physicians, teachers, and researchers who care about and work with them