**Understanding Sensory Seeking Behavior in Children: A Guide for Parents**
Raising a child is a journey filled with both joyous milestones and challenging moments. For some parents, these challenges include managing their child's sensory seeking behaviors and aversions. If your child is a picky eater, quickly dysregulated, constantly seeking sensory input, yet dislikes being touched or exposed to loud noises, you may wonder if there is something more to their behavior. This blog aims to help parents recognize the signs of a sensory seeking child and provide initial steps to consider an autism diagnosis.
Signs of a Sensory Seeking Child
1. Constant Movement: Sensory seeking children often have a high need for movement. They may love jumping, spinning, running, or crashing into things or people. While this might seem like simple playfulness, the intensity and frequency of these behaviours can be telling.
2. Picky Eating: Often, sensory seeking children struggle with eating. They might be extremely selective about food textures, flavors, or colors. Their refusal to try new foods can make mealtime a battleground.
3. Frequent Dysregulation: children can become easily overwhelmed or dysregulated in various environments. This might manifest as emotional outbursts or sudden changes in mood, making transitions particularly difficult.
4. Dislike of Physical Touch: Despite their need for sensory input, many sensory seeking children do not like being touched by others. This might include resisting cuddles, avoiding hugs, or complaining of discomfort from clothing tags.
5. Sensitivity to Sounds: Loud noises, unexpected sounds, or even specific music can cause distress. Covering ears or withdrawing from noisy environments are common reactions.
6. Aversion to Clothing and Haircuts: Sensory issues can extend to a strong dislike for certain clothes (like those with tags) or aversions to haircuts and grooming activities.
Understanding Sensory Aversions
Sensory aversions in children are often a result of their sensory processing system being overloaded. When bombarded with stimuli—be it textures, sounds, or touch—children may act out by avoiding specific activities or environments. Recognising and understanding why they may have these aversions is crucial, as they can impact everyday functioning and quality of life of your child
Next Steps for Parents - this is just something we did as parents and not advice
1. Observe and Document: Keep a journal of your child's behaviours, specific triggers, and coping mechanisms. Document any patterns or recurring incidents. This can also assist if they’re under 6, and may be eligible for NDIS early intervention funding if it is impacting on their daily life.
2. Consult with Professionals: Schedule a meeting with a pediatrician or occupational therapist. They can offer initial guidance and determine if further evaluation by a specialist is needed. In addition to an allied health professional, we went to the Benevolent Society who were so helpful.
3. Consider an Autism Evaluation: Sensory seeking behaviors and aversions are sometimes associated with autism. A comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist or developmental pediatrician can assess for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We’ve not seen a psychologist to date - our diagnosis has been by a paediatrician specialising in ASD.
4. Explore Sensory Integration Therapy: Occupational therapists often use sensory integration therapy to help children process sensory information more effectively and comfortably.
5. Support and Advocacy: Join support groups or parenting forums to connect with others facing similar challenges. Sharing experiences and advice can alleviate feelings of isolation and empower you with new strategies. This is how our journey to advocate for our son started. There just isn’t enough understanding of autism in society, which means we will always be our child’s voice.
Understanding and addressing sensory seeking behaviours and aversions can foster a more supportive environment for your child, promoting their overall well-being and development.