Parents who notice that their preschool child is not relating well to other children or can’t seem to focus on anything for more than a few minutes often dismiss this behavior as something their child will grow out of when they go to school. They may also blame themselves for poor parenting and try to teach their child to “just learn to get along,” “be more careful,” and “pay attention.”
A parent who finds themselves in this situation should take their child to see a pediatrician. This is the best course of action rather than trying to force a child to improve behavior. Sometimes a child’s symptoms may fit within the autism spectrum or a learning disorder like ADD, but at other times the issue may be a rare condition to do with sensory processing issues.
Some simple tests can help distinguish between different possible issues:
If the child does not relate well to other children but can get along with a smart pet like a golden retriever, which is well known for its loving and patient temperament, then the issue may be related to autism.
If the child appears to behave better because by wearing more comfortable clothes, clothes that have fewer stitches or lumps, like seamless socks for kids, then it is probably due to a sensory processing issue. As they feel more comfortable, they behave in a happier, better-adjusted way and even difficulties in staying focused on a task and learning challenges go away, too. Since these children are so sensitive to touch, it’s also advisable to use soft and organic washcloths when it comes to bathing them.
Pre-Schooling Years
Since the symptomology of sensory processing issues is subtle, it may take a while for parents to even notice that there is something wrong. This is especially true if the child has no siblings close in age or does not meet with other children.
Parents who do not spend much time with other parents with small children may not even notice that their child has a sensory processing issue. During those rare occasions when their child is asked to play with other children their age but refuses, they may have dismissed it as bad behavior.
Early Schooling
It is only when the child is going to school and a teacher points out that the child’s inability to get along with others is not normal that parents begin to take the problem seriously enough to visit a pediatrician and talk about it.
However, an inability to get along with other children is just one early symptom of someone with a sensory processing issue. Other symptoms might include frustration with learning how to write or draw, an inability to pay attention long enough to learn how to read, and getting upset when asked to start another classroom activity.
Diagnosing Children with Sensory Processing Issues
Sensory processing issues are often difficult to diagnose for three reasons.
1. They are often misdiagnosed.
Symptoms often resemble those found in antisocial personality disorders, oppositional-defiant behavior disorders, autism, or learning disorders. This often results in misdiagnosis and a long course of ineffective treatments.
2. There is a broad range of symptoms.
Some children may have difficulty learning because of a problem with their senses. They appear to have difficulty noticing or hearing things. They may have difficulty with tactile sensations. And they may have difficulty tasting or smelling things.
Meanwhile, other children have difficulty with body awareness. They appear clumsy, knocking things down, spilling things, and bumping into people or things. They find it difficult to balance and coordinate their movements in relationship to people or objects.
3. There are two opposite subcategories of the disorder.
On one side, there is oversensitivity, and then on the other side, there is undersensitivity.
a. Oversensitive Children.
Oversensitive children find bright lights unbearable. They are agitated by loud noises like sirens. They complain about normal clothing, finding collars chafe and shoes too tight. They are alarmed by sounds that other people can’t hear. And they dislike hugging, finding it uncomfortable, even when people they love, like parents, grandparents, or siblings hug them. Children in this category may find comfort from being surrounded by Sensory Mental Health Furniture, furniture of this kind is designed not to stimulate children with difficulties like this and instead comfort them.
b. Undersensitive Children.
Undersensitive children behave in a completely different way.
Rather than disengaging, they want to engage more. They want to touch people constantly and love to hug, cuddle, and cling to people. They unintentionally crowd other people’s personal space.
Moreover, since they may not understand their own strength, they crowd other children’s personal space, and love to constantly touch them they are often misperceived as bullies. This leads other children to either gang up on them or avoid playing with them.
Additionally, since they crave stimulation, they love to do dangerous things like leaping from heights or swinging too high. Often, they do not notice when they have been cut, hurt, bruised or injured when playing.
Get an Accurate Diagnosis
The first step to getting help for your child is to get an accurate diagnosis from a child psychologist. The second is to find an occupational therapist who specializes in treating sensory processing issues. With the right diagnosis and the right treatment, a child can soon learn to moderate their symptoms and behavior and fit in with the regular demands of school, play, and family life.