How to detect sensory challenges and 20 ways to help

Sensory is talked about frequently with younger children.  However, there are plenty of adolescents, teens and young adults who have shaped their behaviors based off what their specific sensory needs and desires are.  It is important for us as adults to help them determine if sensory is the root of their behaviors.  

Identifying sensory needs in the older child

This blog is going to explain the 7 sensory systems.  We are also going to explain what challenges may look like for older children, teens and young adults.  It is very important to identify the root cause so that help can be tailored specifically for their needs.  

In addition to identifying your child’s sensory preferences, we are going to give 20 strategies and tools that are more appropriate for the older child, teen and young adult population.  

20 Sensory based strategies for the older child

If you are or know someone who is adolescent, teen, young adult ages who have sensory preferences and needs, this blog is for you.  If you would like to discuss a specific individual further, we would love to connect with you.  https://conquertherapyservices.com/contact-us/ 

How to determine if a adolescent, teen, young adult struggles with sensory integration

Proprioception	The brain’s interpretation of the muscles and joints	What it Could Look Like…
		Despite their efforts, they are always too rough (throwing a ball harder than necessary, bumping into others and furniture, jumping and crashing into things, slamming doors)
		Difficult with coordination- taking a longer time to figure out how to do a new motor activity.
		Noodler- difficulty with posture or holding him/herself upright, leaning on things frequently.
		Too light or too hard pressure when writing or completing tasks; difficulty grading muscles based off the needs of the task.

Vestibular	The brain’s interpretation of movement and balance.	What it Could Look Like…
		Difficulty sitting still, constantly needing to move
		Motion sick or resistant to motor activities
		Difficulty balancing or learning how to jump
		Finds opportunities to run, rock, move around

Gustatory	The brain’s interpretation of taste.	What it Could Look Like…
		Picky eater, limited diet
		Resistant to try new foods
		Prefers strong tastes and flavors
		Finds opportunities to cover up the taste of items like using dips for everything

Tactile	The brain’s interpretation of touch	What it Could Look Like…
		Always fidgeting with something
		Requires frequent reminders to not touch others
		Struggles to wear specific clothing, limited clothing selection
		Sensitive to different temperatures
		Upset when dirty and needs to clean self frequently
		Does not notice messes or dirt on clothes or face

Visual	The brain’s interpretation of what he/she sees.	What it Could Look Like…
		Prefer to wear sunglasses.
		Struggle to find things in a busy environment
		Gets overwhelmed in cluttered areas
		Squints or closes eyes
		Gets headaches when in busy environments

Olfactory	The brain’s interpretation of smells.	What it Could Look Like…
		Does not like being in cafeterias, restaurants, public bathrooms
		Gags when around certain smells
		Finds ways of smelling everything
		Does not like to be around people with strong perfumes

20 Sensory Activities & Strategies for the Adolescent, Teenage, and Young Adult Populations 

1. Access to hammock swing or rocking chair
2. Provide earbuds that can be worn with music turned off to drown out excessive noise. 
3. Teach self regulation techniques such as body scanning, meditation, environmental awareness. These self regulation strategies should be taught and practiced in a calm, regulated state.  This will make it more possible to implement in more difficult environments or situations. 
4. Make a food log and talk about the food pyramid to expand diets
5. Chores that include movement and heavy work- carrying grocery bags; making the beds, vacuuming, mopping, carrying laundry baskets, raking leaves, pushing shopping cart, gardening
6. Establish a quiet space or escape route for overwhelming situations. This space should be discussed prior to doing the activity.  
7. Highlight the directions of an assignment to help visually tune into directions on busy page
8. Alternative seating- yoga ball, t-stool, seat with armrests for boundaries, foot rest or band
9. Chewing gum, chewy foods, crunchy foods
10. Fidget (ie- paperclip) that is small enough to stay in pocket
11. Provide overlays or blank piece of paper to block out additional stimuli on a page
12. Teach and provide times to work on proper breathing techniques
13. Wearing schedule of new clothing or tactile input with joint compressions prior to wearing new textures
14. Make movement breaks consistently scheduled during the day (ie- going on a walk, playing a favorite sport, or dancing)
15. Set goals for expanding repertoire and tolerance of input.  Make sure it is a gradual progression towards expansion. 
16. Learn yoga and stretching
17. Use natural light when possible
18. Incorporate sensory input into everyday activities and routines
19. Prepare for loud and busy environments and make sure you have calming tools ready and practiced 
20. Massage