Making sense of the senses Autistic spectrum disorders and sensory processing Jacqui Jackson Bsc (1 st class hons), Cert H.P., Dip., App. S.S., Dip., H.& S.W. Adv. Dip, S.E.N.

Children and adults with autism as well as other developmental disabilities may have a dysfunctional sensory system (Ayres, 1972)

Hyposensitivity Children with an under sensitive sensory system actively seek sensory stimulation

Hypersensitivity Children with an over sensitive sensory system often reject and shy away from sensory stimulation

The sensory system Auditory Auditory Visual Visual Tactile Tactile Gustatory/olfactory Gustatory/olfactory Vestibular Vestibular Proprioceptive Proprioceptive

Some symptoms of sensory processing difficulties…

Auditory system Oversensitive to sound/frequently covers ears Oversensitive to sound/frequently covers ears Under sensitive to sound/has no ‘volume control’ Under sensitive to sound/has no ‘volume control’ Auditory processing difficulties Auditory processing difficulties

Auditory processing Difficulties with sequencing Difficulties with sequencing Difficulties remembering what was heard Difficulties remembering what was heard Often has spelling problems Often has spelling problems Often seems to misunderstand Often seems to misunderstand Difficulties discriminating between similar sounding words Difficulties discriminating between similar sounding words Difficulties discriminating between background and foreground noise Difficulties discriminating between background and foreground noise

Visual system Picky eaters – choosy about appearance of food on plate Picky eaters – choosy about appearance of food on plate Seems to ‘scan’ environment and items Seems to ‘scan’ environment and items Visual processing difficulties Visual processing difficulties

Tactile system Avoids tactile input Avoids tactile input Seeks out tactile input Seeks out tactile input Dislikes certain clothing or prefers to be naked Dislikes certain clothing or prefers to be naked Dislikes labels and seams Dislikes labels and seams Walks on tiptoes Walks on tiptoes Unusually high or low pain tolerance Unusually high or low pain tolerance

Olfactory (smell) and Gustatory (taste) systems Oversensitive to smell Oversensitive to smell Tends to sniff/lick food and nonfood stuffs Tends to sniff/lick food and nonfood stuffs Picky with food/refuses many textures and tastes Picky with food/refuses many textures and tastes Eats non foodstuffs (pica) Eats non foodstuffs (pica) Smears/eats faeces Smears/eats faeces

Vestibular system Appears fearful of playground rides and activities Appears fearful of playground rides and activities Avoids balancing activities Avoids balancing activities Avoids sports Avoids sports Easily sick when travelling or on rides Easily sick when travelling or on rides Appears fearful of heights Appears fearful of heights

Vestibular system (cont.) Seems oblivious to heights, fairground rides etc. Seems oblivious to heights, fairground rides etc. Always ‘on the go’ Always ‘on the go’ Frequently engages in spinning, jumping and bumping into things Frequently engages in spinning, jumping and bumping into things Unusually high or low level of activity Unusually high or low level of activity

Proprioceptive system Problems with muscle tone Problems with muscle tone Coordination and motor planning problems Coordination and motor planning problems Tires easily Tires easily

Practical Approaches…

Seeing ( Visual input) Coloured lenses/overlays – Coloured lenses/overlays – Correct lighting Correct lighting Visual activities Visual activities

Listening and hearing ( Auditory input) Reduce auditory interference in environment Reduce auditory interference in environment Auditory integration therapy (listening programme) Auditory integration therapy (listening programme) Music therapy Music therapy Listening activities Listening activities

Tasting and Smelling ( Gustatory/Olfactory input) Aromatherapy (choose scent/oil according to child’s response) Aromatherapy (choose scent/oil according to child’s response) Tasting/smelling activities Tasting/smelling activities Sensory activity before trying new foods Sensory activity before trying new foods

Touching ( Tactile input) Desensitization by gradual exposure to various textures such as shaving foam, sand (wet and dry), sugar, jelly Desensitization by gradual exposure to various textures such as shaving foam, sand (wet and dry), sugar, jelly Oral motor activities Oral motor activities Gently ‘squashing’ child between two cushions Gently ‘squashing’ child between two cushions Play with different textured toys eg squishy balls, plush toys Play with different textured toys eg squishy balls, plush toys

Body Positioning ( Proprioceptive input) Swinging Swinging Trampolining Trampolining Ball pools Ball pools Massage Massage Weighted quilts/jackets Weighted quilts/jackets Proprioceptive activities eg ‘squashing’ Proprioceptive activities eg ‘squashing’

Balance and Movement (Vestibular Input) Walking on balancing beam Walking on balancing beam Trampolining Trampolining Rolling/balancing on large ball Rolling/balancing on large ball Balancing board Balancing board Dancing Dancing Swings Swings Vestibular activities Vestibular activities

Useful reading Jackson, L., (2001) A user guide to the GF/CF diet for autism, ADHD and Asperger Syndrome. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Jackson, L., (2001) A user guide to the GF/CF diet for autism, ADHD and Asperger Syndrome. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Jackson, L., (2002) Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome – A user guide to adolescence. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Jackson, L., (2002) Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome – A user guide to adolescence. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Jackson, J., (2003) Multicoloured Mayhem – parenting the many shades of adolescents and children with autism, Asperger syndrome and ADHD. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers Jackson, J., (2003) Multicoloured Mayhem – parenting the many shades of adolescents and children with autism, Asperger syndrome and ADHD. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Useful reading (cont.) Kranowitz. C., (2003) The Out of Sync Child Has Fun. London. Perigree Kranowitz. C., (2003) The Out of Sync Child Has Fun. London. Perigree Bogdashina. O. (2003) Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome – different Sensory Experiences – Different Perceptual worlds. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers Bogdashina. O. (2003) Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome – different Sensory Experiences – Different Perceptual worlds. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Useful reading cont…. Chara A and Chara P (2004) Sensory Smarts – A book for children with ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorders struggling with sensory integration problems. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers Chara A and Chara P (2004) Sensory Smarts – A book for children with ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorders struggling with sensory integration problems. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers Emmons and Anderson (2005) Understanding Sensory Dysfunction - Learning, Development and Sensory Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Bipolar Disorder. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers Emmons and Anderson (2005) Understanding Sensory Dysfunction - Learning, Development and Sensory Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Bipolar Disorder. London. Jessica Kingsley Publishers