Sensory Input Deficiency for Autistic Spectrum Disorder

What is Sensory Input Deficiency We have receptors all over our bodies that pick up sensory information, or 'stimuli'..

Hypersensitive People with sensory input deficiency may be over-sensitive (hypersensitive) in some or all senses.

Hyposensitive Conversely, people may be under- sensitive (hyposensitive) in some or all senses.Those who are hyposensitive may seek out sensory stimulation by seeking extreme sensations.

Video Sensory Processing Disorder and the 7 senses There is currently no known cure for the sensory disorders but through education, understanding and in some cases medication, the effects of the disorders can be minimized..Show video.

Flo Longhorn is renowned world wide as being one of the leading experts on educating people through the senses and she believes that the 7 sensory systems should be in order of their importance to the brain –these are : Vision Touch Sound Proprioceptive (movement and body maps) Vestibular (balance and position of body part) Smell Taste Lets look at these areas in more detail. Staff at our school have compiled some guidance on how they help with the seven areas of SID.

Vision Our vision is activated by light and located in the retina of the eye. It helps us to define objects, people, colours, contrast and spatial boundaries. People on the autistic spectrum who have a visual SID may experience the following difficulties. Hypo (under-sensitive) Objects appear quite dark, or lose some of their features. Central vision is blurred but peripheral vision quite sharp. A central object is magnified but things on the periphery are blurred. Poor depth perception – problems with throwing and catching; clumsiness. Hyper (over-sensitive) Distorted vision: objects and bright lights can appear to jump around. Images may fragment. Easier and more pleasurable to focus on a detail rather than the whole

Touch Touch helps us to assess the environment we are in (is an object hot or cold?) and react accordingly. It also allows us to feel pain. People with SID may experience the following difficulties. Hyposensitive (under-sensitive) also known as hypotactile Holds others tightly,playing roughly with other children or toys, - needs to do so before they feel a sensation of having applied any pressure. Has a high pain threshold, may break a bone without feeling it May self-harm in order to ‘feel alive’” eg by banging their head against the wall, biting themselves, Enjoys heavy objects (eg, weighted blankets) on top of them,wear tight clothes Hypersensitive (over-sensitive) Touch can be painful and uncomfortable; people may not like to be touched and this can affect their relationships with others. Dislikes having anything on hands or feet. Difficulties brushing and washing hair /teeth because head is sensitive. Only likes certain types of clothing or textures

Sound This is the most commonly recognised form of sensory impairment.It is not unusual to have a deaf child who also has ASD. It goes without saying that hearing impairments can affect someone's ability to communicate.. People with SID may experience the following difficulties. Hyposensitive (under-sensitive) They are likely to love being surrounded by people chatting, they’ll love loud or continuous sounds like loud music, vacuum cleaners, drilling or sirens, and will often do things to make loud sounds e.g. bang objects or toys together. not understanding what you’re saying to them and needing you to repeat your instruction louder.May only hear sounds in one ear, the other ear having only partial hearing or none at all. May not acknowledge particular sounds Hypersensitive (over-sensitive) Noise can be magnified and sounds become distorted and muddled. Particularly sensitive to sound and can, for example hear conversations in the distance. Inability to cut out sounds – notably background noise, which often leads to difficulties concentrating.

Proprioceptive Situated in the muscles and joints, our body awareness system tells us where our bodies are in space (spatial awareness), and how different body parts are moving. People with SID may experience the following difficulties. Hypo (under-sensitive) This is quite a serious hyposensitivity problem because it means that a child has no awareness of where there body is in time and space, and so can fall over, bump into people, drop things and be “floppy” not be able to support themselves or hold onto things..A need to stand too close to others, because they cannot measure their proximity to other people and judge personal space. Find it hard to navigate rooms and avoid obstructions. A child with this probem may also not register hunger Hyper (over-sensitive) Have difficulties with fine motor skills: manipulating small objects like buttons or shoe laces. Needs to move whole body to look at something

Vestibular (balance) Situated in the inner ear, our vestibular system helps us maintain our balance and posture, and understand where and how fast our bodies are moving. People with SID may experience the following difficulties Hypo (under-sensitive) A need to rock, swing or spin to get some sensory input, to feel alive. Hyper (over-sensitive) Difficulties with activities like sport, where we need to control our movements. Difficulties stopping quickly or during an activity. Car sickness. Difficulties with activities where the head is not upright or feet are off the ground.

Smell Chemical receptors in the nose tell us about smells in our immediate vicinity. Smell is the first sense we rely upon. People with SID may experience the following difficulties. Hypo (under-sensitive) A child with this sensory problem will be drawn to smelly places, like the kitchen when you’re cooking or baking, and will constantly smell things – toys, grass, soil, plants, shoes, laundry…anything! They will love the smell of freshly laundered clothes and will love bathing with strong smelling soaps or shower gels. Their need to smell something may make them distracted. Some people have no sense of smell and fail to notice extreme odours (this can include their own body odour). eg. smearing -may like the texture of faeces Some people may lick things to get a better sense of what they are. Hyper. (over-sensitive) Smells can be intense and overpowering. This can cause toileting issues. Dislikes people with distinctive perfumes, shampoos, etc

Taste Chemical receptors in the tongue tell us about different tastes - sweet, sour, spicy and so on. People with a ASD may experience the following difficulties. Hypo (under-sensitive) can mean that a child is always on the look-out for new things to put in their mouths and taste. Everything, no matter what is is, will be put in their mouths may suffer with excessive drooling and go round with their mouth open. They may also regurgitate food and whatever else they have eaten. Likes very spicy foods. Eats everything - soil, grass, Play-dough. This is known as pica Hyper. (over-sensitive) Finds some flavours and foods too strong and overpowering because of very sensitive taste buds. Diet may be restricted. Certain textures cause discomfort; some children will only eat smooth foods like mashed potatoes or ice-cream. Possible reasons: sensitive to taste or texture, or unable to feel food around the mouth. chews on everything that is given to them, including clothing and objects : may find this relaxing, or enjoy the sensation of chewing on the item

ALWAYS REMEMBER: To the person on the autistic spectrum the world is painful place full of sensory bombardment. It never ends! Thank you for listening