Sensory Seeking Sensory Avoidant, Sensory Sensitive... Oh My!

Does your toddler cover their ears at loud noises? Constantly climb on objects and people? Cries at loud noises or seem to love watching bright lights and spinning objects? Well if you said yes... this blog post is for you!

Autism is such a unique thing. It isn't like other disabilities because there is no hard and fast rule about it. It isn't a formula that says "If you have XYZ, you have autism." ASD is a spectrum and not one person with it is the same.

I love this chart to explain ASD:

If every single individual with ASD filled out this chart, I can promise you they would all be different. ASD is a combination of things that add up together to create the individual and each factor is portrayed differently by everyone.

I wanted to use this blog post to help you understand more about the spectrum and how we figured out Grayson was a sensory seeker as well as the steps we went through to figure that out. Remember, all kids are different and these traits can always change.

A lot of kids on the spectrum have some degree of a sensory processing disorder. Sensory processing disorders (SPD) are common in children and adults with or without ASD, and SPD can exist on its own, but it is prevalent in children and adults who do have ASD. SPD is a condition that affects how your brain processes sensory information such as what we see, hear, smell and taste. It can affect all or some of your senses.

I know Grayson is a huge sensory seeker, but we've talked to other kids who are huge sensory avoiders and kids who land somewhere in the middle.

When we had our OT (occupational therapy) evaluation, we were given the toddler sensory profile test. This tested to see if Grayson felt sensory input differently than his peers. There are multiple tests depending on your age, but we were given the 7-35 month sensory profile test. This test had four quadrants that depending on our answers, would show where Grayson fell to help us better understand how Grayson receives and processes stimuli in his environment.

The test was composed of different sections: general, auditory, visual, touch, movement, oral processing as well as behavioral responses. At the end of the test, your answers are scored and you can see where you or your child fall in the quadrants. The test looked similar to this:

Grayson is a major sensory seeker. He seeks out input so he will spin circles all day, side gaze at objects, run back and fourth, and responds really well to deep pressure. This test helped me understand Graysons sensory needs so much and gave insight on his behaviors.

Your OT should take that information and create a sensory diet for your child. Sensory diets help the child get the input they desire and for their bodies to feel more regulated. Our OT said when Grayson feels more regulated, he will be in the best place to learn and thrive. We have learned what works for Grayson and what doesn't and it seems like when we finally find something that works, it changes.

I have found when Grayson does feel more regulated, he is so much happier and that is when he improves on skills and is more open to learning. It makes sense though, when anyones body feels more regulated and relaxed, you are able to focus easier and feel more calm.

If you feel your child has some degree of SPD, it is worth getting an OT evaluation and filling out the sensory profile test. My main goal is to help Grayson thrive, and a major component of meeting that goal is making sure his body feels regulated, happy, and healthy!