TREATING SPD
tr eat ing Sen sory
Pro ce ssing Disorder
Helping a child with SPD
Occupational therapists commonly treat children (and adults)
In addition to
with sensory processing difficulties. Treatment will depend
therapies, there are
How occupational therapy helps children with sensory issues
on what’s found during an assessment and your child’s needs.
several ways you
Usually, it involves helping children to function better by working
can support your
on activities they are struggling with. It might also include helping
child with sensory
Most occupational therapy approaches
children become more aware of what’s happening in their bodies
issues, including:
to managing sensory processing disorder
and learning to tolerate sensory inputs.
• Having a regular
come under the umbrella of sensory
routine and
integration therapy (SI). The goal of sensory
providing advance
controlled, stimulating environment to help
Sensory program
them learn to respond appropriately to
Often, what’s
sensory inputs and function more normally.
known as a sensory
Sensory feeding therapy
(such as hand
program (also
Unlike the sensory diet, this type of therapy
signals) to support
SI uses fun, playful activities that allow your
sometimes called
for children with processing issues is
routines and
child to experience sensory stimuli without
a ‘sensory diet’)
related to real food! Children with SPD may
introduce new or
feeling overwhelmed.
will be used as
be more sensitive to the tastes, smells,
Some occupational therapy approaches for
part of therapy.
sights and textures of certain foods.
supporting children with SPD include:
A sensory diet is
• Physical skills development – helping your
a list of sensory
Sensory feeding therapy involves
environmental
child develop strength and coordination so
activities for use at
introducing new foods in a way that helps
changes (e.g. a
they can function better and participate in
home and school.
your child become gradually desensitised
noisy truck going
social and educational opportunities.
The activities are
to them. It starts with foods your child is
past or flashing
designed to provide
comfortable with and builds from there.
lights on TV)
integration is to challenge the child in a
• Education – teaching you about
notice of any expected changes • sing visual cues
different tasks • B eing aware of how
appropriate management strategies and
sensory feedback
helping your child to cope more effectively
to help your child
For example, first you have your child
with sensory inputs.
stay organised and
explore new foods using familiar cutlery,
focused throughout
and introduce new foods that are similar to
child’s strengths,
the day.
those they are already comfortable with.
challenges and
Your child’s
The goals of feeding therapy include
• The Alert (Engine) program – this teaches children about self-regulation
may impact your child’s behaviour
using sensory and cognitive (thinking) strategies. • The M.O.R.E program – this uses
• K nowing your
areas of interest • A llowing extra
sensory diet will
identifying appropriate feeding milestones
time to complete
motor (movement) components, oral
be tailored to suit
and developing your child’s feeding skills
challenging tasks
organisation, respiratory demands,
their challenges
and their behaviours around new and
and eye contact to assist with sensory
and needs. It might
different foods.
regulation.
include things such
• Recognising triggers – teaching parents,
if necessary • Considering extra support at school if
as scheduling a
Feeding therapy can help children with
carers and teachers about ways to manage
time every hour to
sensory issues to manage new and
the environment.
go for a short walk,
different foods.
• Functional skills development – this is
needed Your therapists
access to fidget
can provide advice
about helping your child develop practical
toys during class, or
about specific
skills such as sitting upright in a chair,
use of headphones
strategies to
handwriting and self-care skills like
so your child can
support your child
feeding and dressing.
listen to music while
with a sensory
they’re working.
disorder.
• Managing behaviour – the occupational therapist may suggest strategies to help you develop a consistent and appropriate response to behavioural issues.
This guide is brought to you by Growing Early Minds. For more information on how they can support your child and family visit growingearlyminds.org.au/ or call 02 9622 8500 I SSU E 24 | S P R I N G 2020 33
