Sensory Defensiveness

Sensory Defensiveness is defined as having an anxious reaction to what neurotypical persons would consider non-noxious sensory stimuli.

In other words, a person is sensory defensive if he/she has a negative reaction to sensory input that is typically considered either positive or at least neutral.

It is not uncommon for individuals to have a few mild sensory defensive traits. When multiple defensive traits that impact the person's day-to-day life are present, that person is considered to be Sensory Defensive.

Common symptoms of Sensory Defensiveness include:
 

• Intolerance of high-pitched noises
  
• Intolerance of overhead lights (especially fluorescent lighting)
  
• Experiencing a feeling of being attacked upon being touched (especially from light touch or sudden touch)
  
• Intolerance of certain types of fabrics in contact with the skin
  
• Becoming nauseated upon smelling something that does not smell bad to normal individuals
  
• Difficulty maintaining eye-contact
  
• Intolerance of foods due to taste, texture, or temperature
  
• And generally becoming overwhelmed when exposed to a lot of sensory stimuli at once
  
  Intolerance in this context should not be taken as unwillingness to be subject to the sensory stimuli in question; rather, it is an inability to process the sensory stimuli in any way other than as over-stimulating, because the sensory stimuli provokes a fight-or-flight reaction. This is also known as sensory overload.

There are multiple ways in which sensory defensiveness can vary between individuals. The senses that are problematic for one person may not be so for another. (Commonly, individuals report major issues with two or three senses and minor issues with the other senses.) How easily and the way in which a particular sense bothers individuals varies (e.g. high-pitched noises may annoy someone, or they may hurt his/her ears; touch may provoke anxiety, or it can be painful). The triggers for a particular sense vary between people (e.g. one person may be sensitive to the texture of mushy foods, while another may be sensitive to crunchy foods).

Sensory overload can lead to what is commonly termed a "melt-down". This may look much like a tantrum, or a person may undergo dissociation, which causes him/her to withdraw into himself/herself. Individuals will often cope with their sensory difficulties by avoiding those situations that cause them irritation.

Occupational therapists often prescribe Sensory Diets. This is a therapy that is tailored to the individual in which he/she gets to experience calming sensory stimuli that help to balance his/her sensory system. Snoozelin rooms,in which sensory experiences can be controlled and explored, are sometimes used. Individuals will often naturally create or find their own calming sensory stimuli (called "stims" in the autistic community) or sensory diets.

The other side to these issues is that many people report a positively heightened awareness of their senses, under the right conditions. They also promote "stims", which can include music, exercise, and any other pleasing sensory stimulation, as natural means of reducing stress

Downloads/Sensory Diet.pdf
Downloads/Sensory Diet Journal.pdf

A Sensory Diet is defined as a planned and scheduled activity program designed to meet a child's specific sensory needs. This is considered a 'dynamic' document, which should change over time as the child's behavior changes. Your O.T. can assist in making adjustments to the program as needed.

If a child were to present with the following Behaviors, The sensory diet that follows would be an example of what would be suggested to the parents:

• Open mouth posture - low oral/motor tone
  
• Arm flapping and finger flicking - attempt to stabilize his shoulder girdle
  
• Moving into people - seeking deep pressure input
  
• Flicking finger to side - this behavior is sometimes used when a child is having difficulty with midline eye focusing 
  
• Throwing things down - motor planning - doesn't know what else to do with this item

Sensory Diets

SENSORY SYSTEM: Proprioceptive, Oral/Motor ACTIVITY: Resistive Sucking to increase oral motor tone and promote midline eye focus EQUIPMENT: Sports Water Bottle, Crazy Straw, Plastic Straw FREQUENCY: Constantly made available throughout the day

SENSORY SYSTEM: Total Body ACTIVITY: Hugs- imposed and self generated EQUIPMENT: Another person FREQUENCY: Often; perhaps transition times

SENSORY SYSTEM: Shoulders and Wrists (Proprioception)  ACTIVITY: Bilateral Reaching EQUIPMENT: Large ball; pick up and throw or place into container ACTIVITY: Drumming/Banging EQUIPMENT: Use hands, wooden spoons, rhythm sticks, paper rolls   ACTIVITY: Lifting, holding/carrying and placing weighted objects EQUIPMENT: Tin goods, containers fitted with dry beans-peas for shaking (big enough for 2 hand holding is best), Beanbags for picking up and throwing ACTIVITY: Clapping Games EQUIPMENT: Hands-musical action games, high/low 5's ACTIVITY: Resistive push and pull EQUIPMENT: Pantyhose, Rubber tubing, Exercise tubing. Using large therapy ball, pushing adult over. Row, row your boat. FREQUENCY: Play time

SENSORY SYSTEM: Vestibular ACTIVITY: Swinging and rocking different speeds and stopping and starting are important strategies. Sing a song and stop the motion at regular intervals; eye contact or verbalization required before you start up again. EQUIPMENT: Park swing, blanket swing, rocking horse, scooter board, balance board and therapy ball FREQUENCY: 3 to 5 times daily for about 5 minutes

SENSORY SYSTEM: Oral/Motor ACTIVITY: Blowing EQUIPMENT: Whistles, Straws, Party favors, candle FREQUENCY: Mealtime by eating, bath time