How to Support Your Child with Sensory Sensitivities

Every day we’re bombarded with stimuli that affect our traditional five senses — sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch — along with several additional internal senses like body awareness, balance and coordination, and how we feel.

The brain’s processing of this wide array of information occurs without most people even thinking about it. For those who have sensory sensitivities, however, it can be a very different story. Luckily, there are steps you can take to support your child as they navigate the world.

At our 10 Angel Kids Pediatrics offices located throughout Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Saint Johns, Florida, we bring over 20 years of experience to our top-notch pediatric physical and behavioral health care.

Our skilled providers make getting health care for babies, children, and teens both easy and convenient, whether the issue is a well-child check up, a sick visit, a mental health evaluation, or another concern.

When your child has sensory sensitivities, it’s important to seek a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Often, this includes getting the education and tools you need, as a parent, to play a central support role in your child’s world. 

Sensory sensitivity basics

Children may be on either end of the sensory input spectrum and have an increased or decreased sensitivity to stimulation. Depending on where they fall, they may avoid sensory information — or proactively seek it.

Researchers are not certain what causes this issue, but suspect it may involve the way information is processed and organized by the sensory pathways in the brain.

Sensory sensitivity signs

Symptoms vary depending on whether the child has hypersensitivity and is easily stimulated, or hyposensitivity and seeks extra sensory input.

Hypersensitivity

Children with hypersensitivity may cover their eyes and ears, be picky eaters, and avoid physical touch. They may feel pain more acutely, seem clumsy, and have behavioral issues including trouble focusing and controlling their emotions.

Hyposensitivity

Those with hyposensitivity want more interaction with and stimulation from their surroundings. They might touch things, including putting things in their mouth, bumping into walls, and not respecting others’ personal space. They may not feel pain as much, rock and sway, or appear hyperactive in their quest for more stimulation.

How parents can help 

Sensory processing disorder is not recognized as a medical diagnosis, so getting aid can sometimes be a challenge. However, there are still things you can do as a parent, including:

Ask for aid

If you suspect a sensory sensitivity issue, talk with your child’s pediatrician and consider seeking therapy. Some types of therapy can address areas where assistance is needed, such as working on gross motor skills (i.e., throwing a ball), fine motor skills (i.e., handwriting), and life skills (i.e., getting dressed).

Other kinds of therapy encourage developing skills to cope with stimuli without feeling overwhelmed, and determining activities to help your child stay focused during the day — such as using a fidget toy or wearing headphones in class when appropriate.

Alert their school and teachers

Your child’s school and teachers should be part of the team. Be sure to inform them about any sensory sensitivities and provide any additional insights or recommendations that may help them assist your child throughout the school day.

Involve your child

Check in with your child often, and ask them how they’re feeling. You can teach your child how to advocate for themselves with others, and encourage them to let people know if things are too overwhelming or if they need a break. If your child is going to therapy, work with them to practice and reinforce what they’re learning.

Gain the upper hand over sensory issues

Living with sensory sensitivities can be challenging for your child as well as your entire family, and our behavioral health specialists at Angel Kids Pediatrics are here to help. 

Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest office in Jacksonville, Amelia Island or Saint Johns, Florida, today.