Sensory Integration and Childhood Development

Sensory integration (SI) is an important part of development for all children. This happens in the background, and you won’t even know it is happening. Although this is a natural process, some people can struggle with this. We’ll go through the basics of SI in this post.

What is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration, also known as sensory processing, is how the brain recognises and responds to the information provided to us by our senses. This process helps your brain to define everything from the way you see things in the world to the way in which your body exists in the world.

There are seven senses: the five external senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste, and then two internal senses: your balance and your awareness of your body. SI is how your brain processes these senses and tells you how to react.

This process happens naturally and develops during childhood activities. However, for some, it does not develop as efficiently as it should.

Sensory Integration Development

The development of sensory processing happens naturally as a child ages. A newborn will be able to see, hear, smell, etc., but they cannot organise this information and process it, so the information they receive from their senses means very little to them. For instance, they are unable to judge distances.

Dr. Eva Lassey from DrSensory states,

“Sensory integration is the process by which the brain organises and interprets sensory information from the environment, allowing children to understand and respond to various stimuli. This essential aspect of brain development significantly influences behaviour and learning. For instance, when a child engages in play-dough activities, they experience tactile sensations that help them learn about texture and improve fine motor skills. Similarly, jumping on a trampoline can enhance their proprioceptive awareness, which is crucial for body coordination.”

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As your little one is exposed to various sensory inputs, they will gradually learn to give the information meaning. They become better at focusing on one sensation, and their processing improves. They gradually become able to manage multiple inputs and modulate their response. The more you expose your child to different sensory inputs, the more chance they have to develop this process. However, it’s important to introduce stimulants gradually, as overstimulation can be just as bad as under-stimulation. When overstimulated, you’re little one cannot regulate the inputs they are experiencing. Too much stimulation doesn’t encourage development, so it’s important to be aware when your child is becoming overstimulated and learn to soothe them.

Dr Eva Lassey also stated,

“Understanding the challenges associated with sensory integration can empower parents to help their children navigate daily activities more successfully. By recognising signs of sensory overload, such as withdrawal or frustration, caregivers can assist their children in developing coping strategies, like deep breathing techniques or scheduled breaks during overwhelming situations.”

Older children are likely to seek activities that provide a sensory experience. This can be swinging, jumping, or any other movement that will stimulate their senses. This helps with the development of SI.

Sensory Processing Disorder

Research suggests that around 5 to 16.5% of the general population show symptoms of sensory processing challenges. This is known as Sensory Processing Disorder and can make everyday tasks problematic. Although anyone can have sensory issues, research suggests that between 90 and 95% of children with autism have sensory processing difficulties. This can show in a number of ways, such as hypersensitivity, not being able to sit still, etc. It’s important to remember that although there is a link between autism and sensory processing disorder, having SPD does not mean your child has autism. If you are concerned about your child’s SI, speak to your GP.

Signs of Poor Sensitivity

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can be displayed in a variety of ways; it’s different for each person. Also, displaying poor sensitivity does not necessarily mean SPD. If you are concerned for your child, speak to your GP. Some signs of sensitivity include:

• Seeking out movement e.g. jumping, running, pushing
• Fidgeting
• Clumsiness
• Chewing on clothing
• Dislike of certain food textures
• Excessive use of force on fine motor actions (e.g. being heavy-handed when drawing)
• Poor posture

Helping Sensory Integration Development

To help your child’s sensory integration develop, exposure from a young age is key. Allow your child to see, hear, feel, smell, and taste a range of things. Let them explore and try to use their body (all with supervision). Our range of sensory toys can help with sensory integration. From shape sorters for young children through to water tables, your child can have sensory fun and develop their processing.

Dr. Eva Lassey says,

“Parents can play a vital role in supporting their child’s sensory integration. They can create sensory-friendly spaces at home that cater to their child’s preferences, such as having a designated area with weighted blankets for calming or sensory bins filled with different textures for exploration. Engaging children in daily routines that include various sensory experiences—like cooking, where they can smell and taste different ingredients, or nature walks that expose them to different sights and sounds—can also enhance their sensory processing skills.

Find out more about childhood development in our Childhood Adventures Blog.

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