So Much to See, Taste, So Much to See, Taste, Smell, Hear & Touch: Smell, Hear & Touch:

An introduction to sensory processing An introduction to sensory processing & self-regulation in infants & toddlers& self-regulation in infants & toddlers

Heather KennellHeather Kennell

Amy Russel-YunAmy Russel-Yun

The Wright Family Goes to the The Wright Family Goes to the Beach!Beach!

In a sensory processing model, In a sensory processing model, our approach changes:our approach changes:

Instead of a ‘top down’ approach where Instead of a ‘top down’ approach where where we address the visible behavior,where we address the visible behavior,

In a sensory processing model, In a sensory processing model, our approach changes:our approach changes:

We adopt a ‘bottom-up” approach where We adopt a ‘bottom-up” approach where we look closely at the underlying we look closely at the underlying neurological factors that influence those neurological factors that influence those visible behaviors we see in the classroomvisible behaviors we see in the classroom

Liam’s got the right idea!

Our Seven SensesOur Seven Senses

VisualVisual AuditoryAuditory GustatoryGustatory OlfactoryOlfactory

TactileTactile VestibularVestibular ProprioceptiveProprioceptive

VisualVisual

LocationLocation: retina of : retina of the eyethe eye

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about objects and objects and personspersons

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

AuditoryAuditory

LocationLocation: inner ear: inner ear

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about sounds in the sounds in the environmentenvironment

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

GustatoryGustatory

LocationLocation: chemical : chemical receptors in the receptors in the tonguetongue

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about different types of different types of tastetaste

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

OlfactoryOlfactory

LocationLocation: chemical : chemical receptors in the receptors in the nasal structurenasal structure

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about different types of different types of smellsmell

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

TactileTactile

LocationLocation: Skin: Skin

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about the environment the environment and objectand object

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

VestibularVestibular

LocationLocation: inner ear: inner ear

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about where our body is where our body is in spacein space

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

ProprioceptiveProprioceptive

LocationLocation: muscles : muscles and jointsand joints

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about where a certain where a certain body part is and body part is and how it is movinghow it is moving

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

How Do These Systems Work How Do These Systems Work Together?Together?

How Do These Systems Work How Do These Systems Work Together?Together?

How Do These Systems Work How Do These Systems Work Together?Together?

How Do These Systems Work How Do These Systems Work Together?Together?

How Do These Systems Work How Do These Systems Work Together?Together?

Sensory Processing:Sensory Processing:What Needs to HappenWhat Needs to Happen

Neurological Threshold Neurological Threshold ContinuumContinuum

(Typical)

Sensitivity to Stimuli Poor registration

Sensation SeekingSensation Avoiding

Sensory Motor Preference Sensory Motor Preference Checklist Checklist

(Williams & Shellenberger)(Williams & Shellenberger)

Activity: What calms your engine Activity: What calms your engine down?down?

What What ““revsrevs”” your engine up? your engine up?

How can you help children attain How can you help children attain and maintain the appropriate and maintain the appropriate arousal levelarousal level??

Self-RegulationSelf-Regulation

Putting the Pieces TogetherPutting the Pieces Together

Pick one sheet of paper on the wallPick one sheet of paper on the wall One member of your group should choose One member of your group should choose

a child who may have sensory issuesa child who may have sensory issues Draw a picture of the child and provide the Draw a picture of the child and provide the

following information:following information: Child name (not real name)Child name (not real name) Child ageChild age Explain one challenging behaviorExplain one challenging behavior

Working Together!Working Together!

As you rotate around the room, write down As you rotate around the room, write down what possible underlying issues may be what possible underlying issues may be contributing to the behaviors observed.contributing to the behaviors observed.

Remember: bottom up!Remember: bottom up!

Caution: Understanding the Caution: Understanding the Seven Senses is Just the Tip of Seven Senses is Just the Tip of

the Iceburg….the Iceburg….

VisualVisual

LocationLocation: retina of : retina of the eyethe eye

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about objects and objects and personspersons

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

AuditoryAuditory

LocationLocation: inner ear: inner ear

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about sounds in the sounds in the environmentenvironment

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

GustatoryGustatory

LocationLocation: chemical : chemical receptors in the receptors in the tonguetongue

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about different types of different types of tastetaste

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

OlfactoryOlfactory

LocationLocation: chemical : chemical receptors in the receptors in the nasal structurenasal structure

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about different types of different types of smellsmell

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

TactileTactile

LocationLocation: Skin: Skin

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about the environment the environment and objectand object

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

VestibularVestibular

LocationLocation: inner ear: inner ear

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about where our body is where our body is in spacein space

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

ProprioceptiveProprioceptive

LocationLocation: muscles : muscles and jointsand joints

FunctionFunction: provides : provides information about information about where a certain where a certain body part is and body part is and how it is movinghow it is moving

©2010 Lil’ Munchkins©2010 Lil’ Munchkins

Putting the Pieces TogetherPutting the Pieces Together

Pick one sheet of paper on the wallPick one sheet of paper on the wall Can you think of any strategies we Can you think of any strategies we

discussed that may be helpful for this discussed that may be helpful for this child?child?

What additional supports do the child and What additional supports do the child and family need?family need?

Interested in Learning More?Interested in Learning More?