This is one of the hardest questions we have been asked by parents - is this sensory or behavior? In our experience, the short answer is both. Eighty percent or more of our brain function is allocated to processing information (or sensory input) coming in. That means only about 20% of what our brain does is considered an "action" or output.
We tend to think of behaviors as some sort of defiance. But simply put... all behavior is communication and in the midst of a difficult moment, talking (or "using our words") is the last thing the brain thinks or wants to do. So, let's break it down.
Sensory Processing Difficulties
Sensory processing difficulties can be described as: the hypo or hyper response to a specific sensory stimulus (or set of stimuli) that can result in pain, discomfort, fear, mixed or delayed information, and/or poor registration impacting daily function. These difficulties are not a result of a child being "naughty", or wanting to test boundaries. Think of it like the brain's automatic reaction to protect itself from whatever input is "threatening"or putting the child in perceived "danger". Here's an example, we all learned very quickly to pull our hand away from the hot burner on the stove right? The severe heat against your skin sent a message to your brain about a threatening sensory stimulus that started to cause pain, then your brain told your hand to move away as a protective reaction. If you were hypo responsive to that input, your brain wouldn't tell your hand to move off the burner until your skin was already significantly burned. The hyper response would be that your brain told your hand to move just before you even touched the burner because it sensed the change in temperature as you moved closer.
A few key characteristics of a child who may have sensory processing difficulties include:
The child likely cannot control his/her reaction - this includes children who are under-responsive to sensory input (i.e. often the kids who appear to not hear you, or kids who are "hyperactive")
Their reaction is typically a result of feeling overwhelmed (“fight or flight”), being overstimulated, or not getting enough input resulting in limited or no reaction
Over react or snap very quickly with little to no reason why
Struggle sticking with the same play activities for periods of time
They may be panicky and not know what they want or need
They are less able to self-calm, problem solve, or make decisions
Ends when the child wears themselves out, input is reduced enough to restore homeostasis, or they have filled their sensory bucket!
Things to keep in mind
Sensory reactions are truly unconscious, automatic responses the brain uses to tell the body to move away from perceived threat or gain more information about for skilled use.
Sensory reactions can look like a behavior that "came out of nowhere". This can be because the ability to see a person's sensory threshold/tolerance to specific inputs is very challenging. This is why OT's have a greater ability to assess a situation to recognize when a child's motor or emotional response is from poor sensory processing. OT's have trained eyes, ears and are very aware of different sensory reactions/responses through extensive training and education.
Now let's tackle behavior.
Behavior
We all make choices and decisions about how we act and what we say many times throughout each day. Behavior can be described as: the physical and/or emotional reactions to an action, event, person, or stimulus resulting in: 1) escape or avoidance of noxious stimuli, or 2) to seek attention from others (peers or adults).
A few key characteristics of a behavior include:
Child has some control over his/her actions
Generally acts out to get what they want/needs or to escape/avoid doing something uncomfortable or difficult
May be able to adjust behavior according to the reaction (of adult)
More likely to be able to negotiate, adjust intensity, and process information/directions
Stops when child gets what they want or recognizes they won’t get what they want by acting out
Clear as mud? We thought so. When you start to recognize there are, more often than not, underlying reasons to every behavior - you might just look at your child's behavior a little different. Here are a few things we'd like you to takeaway from this post.
Takeaways
Children are innately good; they don’t want to misbehave.
The line isn't always clear; oftentimes sensory issues come out as “behaviors”.
Try looking at any “behavior” as a child’s way of communicating a want or basic need.
Aim to be proactive or responsive… not reactive.
Creating an action plan can help you and your children/students feel better understood and prepared.
If you think your child may be struggling with sensory processing, it never hurts to get evaluated by a licensed occupational therapist.
Now.. go play!
Amy & Cassie
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