Sensory Processing Awareness |
Sensory Processing Red Flags
Are you concerned that your child may have sensory processing differences? Explore common concerns in children with help from our mascot, Ollie! View Red Flags (en español) Sensory Concern GuideLear about solutions families use, get answers to frequently asked questions and find resources with our free guide. | What Is Sensory Processing?Each day, we use our senses to learn about and interact with the world around us. From waking up to the smell of coffee to listening to a family member talk about his or her day, our senses help us to navigate our surroundings, understand what is and is not safe and interact with others. We respond to information we take in from our senses through a communication process with our brains. For example, if you touch a piece of sand paper, your fingers send a message to your brain. Your brain identifies the sand paper and determines if it is safe. It then sends a message back to your fingers telling them how to respond. This means of receiving sensory input, identifying and responding to it is called Sensory Processing. For many of us, this communication occurs seamlessly, like cars flowing along an open highway. But for as many as 1 in 6 children(*), sensory processing may be impeded (some even call it a "traffic jam"). Children with sensory processing differences may be "seekers" (individuals who crave additional sensory input), "avoiders" (individuals who are easily overwhelmed and tend to avoid sensory input) or a combination of both (individuals who seek out some inputs but avoid others). About This ProgramThe Sensory Awareness program is designed to help families recognize red flags in children and get those families on a path to helping their children by providing resources and support. Key components of this program include:
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