Special Needs

Why Asking Simple Opened Ended Questions Matters

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Anxiety In Kids Tagged With: Addiction This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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It seems that none of us have to work hard to concentrate or to pay attention these days. That is not to say that our attention span or our ability to focus is above average.

Quite the contrary, these skills have likely declined since the advent of the smartphone and video games, especially. I've written in the past about how to encourage scientific thinking and how to encourage, well, thinking, generally with open-ended questions.

Ask Simple Questions

This thinking brings me to something I read recently by the author Neil Gaiman about a visit to his young daughter's class. She was seven years old at the time and eventually, a child asked the inevitably “question to ask an author” question.

I cannot possibly do Mr. Gaiman's writing justice so I've included the excerpt below but be sure to read up on Neil Gaiman blog, his online journal really. Fantastic writings to say the least.

‘Where do you get your ideas?'
And I realized I owed them an answer. They weren't old enough to know any better. And it's a perfectly reasonable question, if you aren't asked it weekly.
This is what I told them:
You get ideas from daydreaming. You get ideas from being bored. You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we're doing it.
You get ideas when you ask yourself simple questions. The most important of the questions is just, What if…?
(What if you woke up with wings? What if your sister turned into a mouse? What if you all found out that your teacher was planning to eat one of you at the end of term – but you didn't know who?)
Another important question is, If only…
(If only real life was like it is in Hollywood musicals. If only I could shrink myself small as a button. If only a ghost would do my homework.)
And then there are the others: I wonder… (‘I wonder what she does when she's alone…') and If This Goes On… (‘If this goes on telephones are going to start talking to each other, and cut out the middleman…') and Wouldn't it be interesting if… (‘Wouldn't it be interesting if the world used to be ruled by cats?')…
Those questions, and others like them, and the questions they, in their turn, pose (‘Well, if cats used to rule the world, why don't they any more? And how do they feel about that?') are one of the places ideas come from.
An idea doesn't have to be a plot notion, just a place to begin creating. Plots often generate themselves when one begins to ask oneself questions about whatever the starting point is.

Sometimes an idea is a person (‘There's a boy who wants to know about magic'). Sometimes it's a place (‘There's a castle at the end of time, which is the only place there is…'). Sometimes it's an image (‘A woman, sifting in a dark room filled with empty faces.')
Often ideas come from two things coming together that haven't come together before. (‘If a person bitten by a werewolf turns into a wolf what would happen if a goldfish was bitten by a werewolf? What would happen if a chair was bitten by a werewolf?')
All fiction is a process of imagining: whatever you write, in whatever genre or medium, your task is to make things up convincingly and interestingly and new.
And when you've an idea – which is, after all, merely something to hold on to as you begin – what then?
Well, then you write. You put one word after another until it's finished – whatever it is.
Sometimes it won't work, or not in the way you first imagined. Sometimes it doesn't work at all. Sometimes you throw it out and start again.

When I read this excerpt, I practically jumped up and down with joy and agreement. Our kids need to hear this message, again and again, loud and clear. Parents, Teachers, continue to ask them open-ended questions and encourage them to ask themselves simple questions about the world around them.

Are we in a crisis of creativity?

This thinking reminds me of the books Nurture Shock, which I read the moment it was published in 2009, a few months after my oldest child was born. My husband has worked in technology for decades. Therefore, we are acutely aware of the dangers of devices and screens and all that comes along with them.

My husband, as a technology professional, is not alone in this concern. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs famously admitted that limit their children's time on devices. That should be a red flag. With statistics on addiction, depression, and anxiety increasing rapidly, especially among young boys, we should be on top of this topic for mental health reasons and for creativity reasons.

There has to be a way to utilize and to effectively manage technology use in classrooms and at home. The challenge of creating a technology regulation system that works for a family is huge and isn't going away any time soon.

What do you think?

What is the Vestibular System?

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Anxiety In Kids, Executive Functioning, Sensory Processing Disorder Tagged With: Brain Development This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Concerned about your child's balance? Does something seem off with your child's gross motor and sensory processing? Balance allows you to hold your body upright and steady without falling down. No matter if you're moving or standing still, or have your eyes open or closed. The vestibular system is closely linked to sensory processing, so understanding the vestibular sense within the context of sensory integration is critical.

Understanding the Vestibular Sense

We grow up learning that the five senses are taste, smell, sight, sound, and touch. However, there are additional critical senses that are often overlooked. We've discussed the proprioceptive system in the past. Today, we're going to address the vestibular system, the sense that delivers sensory information to your brain about balance and movement.

On a more complicated level, the vestibular system generates complex information about where your body is in space. This sixth sense coordinates movements in combination with balance. It is responsible for keeping you upright and it creates rapid reflexes based on the stimulus received from the environment.

Compared to the other senses, the vestibular sense operates at a much faster pace. On that note, you may be surprised to learn that this system is stunningly small and fits within the inner ear. While tiny, the vestibular system is intricately complex and enables you to process positioning, acceleration, and movement.

The Relationship to Sensory Processing

Your brain receives sensory data from all of your senses rapidly at all times. It must process this data quickly so that you can live in and respond to your environment. These sensory responses are responsible for reflexes, taste preferences, the ability to identify smells, and much more.

A sensory processing disorder may be diagnosed when your child’s response to various sensory inputs interferes with daily life. Furthermore, sensory processing is related to the five commonly-known senses as well as to the misunderstood sixth sense.

Given the complexity of the senses, you may have a better understanding of why sensory processing disorders are misunderstood. This also explains why children with vestibular sensory processing disorders display extreme behaviors.

These behaviors differ from other children with similiar disorders. More than that, your child’s behaviors may seem to change by the day. Each child is unique, experiencing the world in his or her own way. Likewise, your child responds to inputs individually. As an example, some kids may love the taste of applesauce, and others may be disgusted by its texture.

What Is a Vestibular Disorder?

This is a blanket term that describes an improper function of this system. These disorders relate to how the brain interprets data from this system. While these disorders commonly feature balance and spatial orientation issues, they can have a much more profound impact.

The data provided to the brain from the vestibular structures allows the brain to interpret other sensory data. For example, it helps you to quickly analyze visual data, maintain muscle tone and more based on various stimuli.

Children with a vestibular disorder may be hyposensitive. This means that your child may require or crave extra stimuli from activities involving movement and balance. Children may also be hypersensitive, which has the opposite effect.

To complicate matters, some children with vestibular dysfunction may show behaviors of being hyposensitive and hypersensitive at the same time. Other children may show hyposensitive signs one day and may appear to be hypersensitive the next day. Because of this, parents should be aware of symptoms for hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.

Signs of Vestibular Dysfunction

Children experience vestibular sense disorders in many ways. So, signs of a vestibular disorder can vary dramatically. With that said, generally speaking, the symptoms of a vestibular disorder include appearing distracted, lazy, fearful, uncoordinated, and hyperactive.

How do these symptoms appear in a child’s everyday life?

A child with a vestibular sense processing disorder may:
Have an overwhelming preference to remain still
Struggle in school with math, reading, and writing
Appear to be lost or confused frequently
Struggle to locate common objects when asked to do so
Prefer to keep his or her feet on the ground, such as by avoiding jumping, playground equipment and more
Walk with considerable care and focus
Appear to be uncoordinated or fall frequently
Have a slouched posture or prefer to lay down
Support his or her head by the hand when sitting
Complain about being nauseous or dizzy
Get motion sickness easily
Focus frequently on moving objects
Seem oblivious to activities that are dangerous, such as jumping off of elevated objects to climbing high above the ground
Enjoy twirling or spinning without seeming to get dizzy
Move constantly, such as by rocking back and forth, fidgeting or tilting the head around
Have trouble focusing unless fidgeting or moving

When to Seek Vestibular Therapy

Once diagnosed with a sensory disorder, your doctor will provide a treatment plan. Specialized therapy sessions may be recommended and have been highly effective at alleviating bothersome symptoms in many people.

An occupational therapist may be necessary and can help a great deal. The therapist identifies the child’s unique challenges and symptoms before creating a customized treatment plan.

As guided by a therapist, well-planned activities should be completed at home. The therapist and parents will take into account the child’s specific disorder and comfort level. However, some suggested activities include swimming, log rolling, laying on the stomach, hanging upside down on playground equipment and more.

The purpose of these vestibular therapy exercises is to improve how the body receives and processes data. This includes visual orientation, balance, movement and more. Initially, you may notice that your child’s symptoms seemingly worsen, but this is short-lived.

When your child cannot experience and respond to the world in an expected way, stress and sadness are common. However, with a medical diagnosis and regular vestibular therapy sessions, many bothersome symptoms can be alleviated or managed.

Balance Activities for Kids

Best Balance Toys for Kids

Gifted Children: What You Need to Know

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Gifted Children, Parenting This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Thrown around quite often, what does the gifted mean, especially when it comes to learning and behavior? The characteristics of gifted children might surprise you. Not always positive, these gifted characteristics often present challenges for the child, teachers, and parents.

The National Association of Gifted Children has it that, “Gifted people are those that display outstanding levels of aptitude and competence in one or more disciplines.” This definition is quite broad and it, therefore, encompasses a broad range of characteristics that parents, tutors, and psychologists use to recognize giftedness in children.

Related Read: Learn why my son skipped 2nd grade

What is a Gifted Child?

So you think you have a gifted preschooler? or maybe you might have dismissed many other behavioral traits for something other than your child being exceptional?

Testing for Giftedness

You might come to the point where your doctor refers you to a neuropsychologist who will do comprehensive tests. IQ tests for gifted children are typically one aspect of a comprehensive set of tests measuring other areas such as social & emotional intelligence, attention, executive functioning skills, and so on.

This is a great example of the importance of looking at gifted children with a holistic lens. Often behavioral obstacles such as anxiety, impulsiveness, and depression manifest as a result of being out of sync with peers, schoolwork, and so on.

Related Resource: Best Tip to Connect with a Child

Common Traits of Gifted Children

Some of the most common traits of giftedness are intense curiosity, rapid mastery of basic skills, advanced reading ability, and a keen sense of humor. Being labeled as gifted usually occurs when the child is in school. If they are flagged as being potentially gifted or talented, they are subjected to further testing.

Many parents opt to have their kids tested by psychologists. Private testing is costly but is usually more comprehensive. Testing is necessary as there are times when giftedness can be confused for a learning disability or other misdiagnosis. This article contains what you need to know about identifying and dealing with giftedness in a child.

What Does It Mean to Be a Gifted Child?

The common understanding of being gifted revolves around being bright and having high potential. Any definition of giftedness usually focuses on capability and achievement as being the primary identifiers of giftedness. In fact, the federal definition of giftedness which was developed in the 70s and is known as the Marland report focuses on ‘high achievement capability.’

Characteristics of a Gifted Children

As mentioned earlier, the term ‘gifted’ has been thrown around so much in public circles that it is now both misused and misunderstood. Traits of giftedness in kids manifest themselves in various ways, some positives and others undesirable.
This is why it is important to consider a number of factors before labeling a child as gifted.

The following are the most common characteristics of a gifted child:

Verbal Ability

A gifted kid often begins verbally communicating at a very early age, while using advanced vocabulary. This is why they are sometimes referred to as ‘precocious’ due to their language.

This advanced verbal ability makes these children be early talkers and avid storytellers with an extensive and precise vocabulary.

They usually choose their words carefully but have a diverse range of words. These children usually find it difficult and frustrating to talk to children their own age will often turn to older kids and adults to converse.

Information Processing

Another sign of a gifted child is their unusual capacity for processing information. Gifted children process information much faster and more accurately than their peers.

This allows them to master subjects such as reading and math a lot faster than their peers. Consequently, it becomes a lot harder to keep such an individual challenged in a normal school setting. As a result, some gifted kids may disrupt classrooms due to boredom, or simply become impulsive.

Highly Curious

This is one of the most common characteristics of a gifted child. Such children dive into subjects of their interest with a passion that is not typical of children their age.

This is why it is not unusual for such a child to learn things such as the statistics of every player in a sports team or the names of all dinosaurs at a young age.

Gifted children often exhibit a deep absorption in activities that interest them. Parents of gifted kids will often find themselves taking their child to the library or going online to help them look for knowledge, facts, and statistics.

Memory Retention

Gifted kids are able to absorb information much faster and retain it for longer than their peers. This is facilitated by their enhanced ability to process information quickly. The fact that they acutely understand what they are learning allows them to store it for efficient recall later on.

When you combine their fast processing capability and high memory retention, they go through entire subjects in a very short time. Teachers and parents often find it difficult to present information to these children at their ideal rate.

Persistence and Intensity

These kids are intense in everything they do. They immerse themselves fully into a subject and this is what allows them to collect massive amounts of information quickly. This intensity can also manifest itself in their social interactions. However, they also tend to show compassion on a deeper level than their peers.

Their persistence, however, may also work against them when they encounter a problem they cannot solve easily or a subject they cannot master quickly.

Sense of Humor

Most people find gifted kids to be enjoyable to have around since they usually display a sense of humor that is well beyond their years. In fact, such kids usually exhibit an appreciation for the more subtle types of humor such as satire. Also, they enjoy wordplay such as puns and are usually quite good at using these comic routines themselves.

Sense of Justice

A gifted kid will often display a strong sense of justice, which usually sees to them having high expectations of both themselves and others. This strong moral compass allows them to constantly make good choices and this is what makes most of them to be effective leaders.

However, this desire for justice and fairness in all situations means that they are usually unwilling to compromise. This can make it difficult for them to create long-lasting relationships with others.

Strong Imagination

This is one of the most shared traits among gifted children. Such a child will display a high level of creativity and originality in their written, oral, and artistic expressions. They may also spend a lot of time fantasizing.

Observant

A gifted individual usually picks up on details much more keenly than their peers. In any activity, whether it is watching a movie or reading a book, gifted children typically notice the minutest of details that others might miss. This level of attention to detail is often the cause of conflict between them and others.

Problem Solving

Another glaring sign of a gifted child is their love for problem-solving. In fact, most gifted children are usually in their element when breaking down a complex issue and coming up with a solution that no else has thought of. There is nothing they love more than finding solutions.

Resources for Parents

Raising a gifted child is no easy endeavor. Their gifts cause unique challenges as their needs will not be the same as that of an average child. Parents with such children can utilize the following resources:

Our Gifted

This is the home to the Beyond Giftedness Conference. This organization provides parents and teachers with information that will help them understand and guide gifted kids. I recently attended one of these conferences and learned a great deal about executive function.

The National Association for Gifted Children

This is the most comprehensive resource out there for gifted children.

SENG

SENG is a nonprofit network that helps gifted individuals reach their intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual goals.

Books for Raising Exceptional Children

The following books will prove beneficial when raising a gifted individual

Labeling a child as gifted is a complex process that involves keen observation and objective testing. If you discover giftedness in your child, take steps necessary to ensure that her needs are met.

Additional Resources for Parents

Executive Function Disorder – Helping Scattered Kids Conquer Life

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Anxiety In Kids, Executive Functioning, Parenting, Sensory Processing Disorder Tagged With: Living, Positive Parenting This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Do you have a child in your life who is a bit “all over the place”? Is he a “paper stuffer”? When you enter his room, do you have to push open the door because it is such a mess? We can share frustrations and laugh about these kids but these tendencies will cause many problems as they grow and develop into adults. If you are in this boat, then the issue is one of an executive function disorder and maybe even an issue with mental health.

What is Executive Function Disorder?

Consider this post an introductory guide to executive function, what it means, signs of executive dysfunction, and strategies to develop these skills in kids who are struggling with executive functioning. Are you concerned about your child?

In most cases, there's nothing to worry about; every child develops differently, what may appear as learning disabilities are actually learning differences, and some children just need special forms of attention to inspire their abilities.

Some persistent deficiencies in executive function, however, can be indicative of a serious learning disorder, so it's important to learn more about executive skills and how to foster these skills in your child if he or she seems to be behind. So, let's dig a bit deeper.

Definition of the Term Executive Functioning

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University defines executive function skills as “the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully.” These skills allow us to focus on particular details, prioritize effectively, and enforce delayed gratification to make sure that things get done.

Executive skills aren't innate. While some children have more potential to develop effective executive skills than others, these skills are largely a product of a child's brain chemistry and environment.

Identifying the Gaps & Creating a Plan

One of the most important factors in the development of these skills is identifying the gaps in executive function early in a child's life. Once observed, teachers and parents can implement create a plan including activities, exercises, and perhaps outside therapy to assist in a child's development of executive skills.

In extreme cases, negative environmental factors can prevent normal brain growth and cause children to exhibit hyperactive or disruptive behaviors. Furthermore, impediments to the normal development of executive functioning in young children can have continuing negative effects throughout a child's developing and adult years, so learning about the symptoms of poor executive functioning and the strategies that can be used to improve this critical developmental factor can help parents and caregivers guide at-risk children back on positive developmental tracks.

It is important to remember that children are not born with executive function skills. Instead, they are born with the potential to develop these skills.

What Is Executive Function Disorder?

Executive Function Disorder is often associated with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). ADHD is considered to be a type of executive function impairment but certainly not every child with executive dysfunction has ADHD. A child may be considered to have EFD when his or her executive functioning skills appear out of sync with her development.

According to the ADD publication ADDitude, children start developing executive functions at age two. These functions continue to develop until age 30. ADDitude estimates that people with ADHD can experience delays in the development of executive functioning by up to 40 percent, and it's believed that EFD may be linked to poor development in the prefrontal cortex.

Parts of the Brain Impacted by EFD

The three main areas involving executive functioning are working memory, self-regulation, and mental flexibility. These three areas are interrelated and affect most areas of the brain. In order for EF to execute effectively, all three areas much work together.

{Source: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University}

Examples of Executive Function Skills

There are seven types of skills that are associated with executive function.

These skills are:

Self-awareness
Self-restraint
Non-verbal working memory
Verbal working memory
Emotional intelligence
Self-motivation
Planning and problem solving

In children with EFD, most or all of these executive skills are inhibited. By using various exercises and techniques, it may be possible to boost or restore executive skills in affected children.

Executive Function Disorder 101

Symptoms & Signs of Executive Function Disorder

While children with ADHD often have trouble paying attention to activities in the present, children with EFD have an inability to plan for the future. Children with this disorder have trouble setting schedules or staying organized, and they may habitually lose personal items.

Some common signs of EFD include:

Not able to effectively analyze a task
Failure to develop an effective plan for taking care of a task
Inability to plan out specific steps necessary to complete a task
Failure to develop reasonable timelines for achieving tasks
Unable to adapt to new conditions or adjust procedures when achieving a task
Failure to complete tasks on time

Emotional Regulation & EFD

In young children, EFD may show itself in the form of angry or frustrated behavior. Young children with EFD may have trouble handling setbacks, and they may throw tantrums over seemingly minimal issues.

Instead of capably expressing their emotions with words or other socially acceptable mediums of expression, children with EFD may act aggressively. They may also be resistant to the normal flow of classroom behavior, and they may stubbornly choose to act on their own impulses rather than follow the established protocols.

As children with executive functioning issues get older and enter grade school, they become highly resistant to any changes in routine. In addition, their organization difficulties become more pronounced.

During middle school and high school, failures to adapt to social norms and implement systems to help with EFD may lead to becoming increasingly socially withdrawn. Additionally, they may engage in risky behaviors. For example, they may have trouble choosing careers or holding down jobs.

What Kids with Executive Dysfunction Need Most

Systems on which to rely
Growth Mindset
Routines
Baby Steps. In other words, celebrating small victories with your child. The development of these skills is not going to happen overnight. Often it takes years, so acknowledge baby steps and lean into positive behavior is a big way for a while

Skill Development

Below are examples of skills on which to focus.

Here is a short list:

Ability to plan ahead
Time management
Prioritize tasks
Decision making
Able to inhibit thoughts & actions, not be impulsive
Focus & attention
Juggling memory
Pivoting
Self-starting
Follow through
Reflectiveness (this is where mindfulness exercises come in really handy)
Regulating emotion

Strategies for Kids

Most instances of executive function disorder manifest at an early age, so early intervention is important. For example, one of the best ways to help develop skills to combat these challenges is to expose to activities and exercises that will help close gaps. With that said, once it's clear that EFD is interfering with a child's ability to learn and develop socially, it may be useful to enlist the assistance of professionals. For instance, speech therapists, reading tutors, or psychologists test & guide your child. Finally, an executive function test will pinpoint the exact areas that need focus.

In-class behavioral modification techniques, such as daily report cards and token systems, may be effective strategies. Adults might consider the use of external information crutches like cards, smartphone apps, and sticky notes to improve focus and motivation.

Lastly, children with EFD may be responsive to the same stimulant drugs that are used to treat ADHD. As in all cases of behavioral issues, however, drugs should be relied on as a last resort after behavioral modification and positive forms of adult support have failed.

Create a System for Your Child

Bottom line, a child needs to create a system that works for him. This system may include:

a paper management system
a binder system (this doesn't work for most children with executive function disorder)
a folder system with specific labels written in large print with the name of the subject and the child
grade monitoring
self-advocacy when his body doesn't quite feel right and he is unable to focus, ask the teacher or parent to take a break, drink some water, grab a fidget, or use headphones
secure study space that works for the child perhaps near natural light, in a cozy chair, with a divider, with headphones
weekly overhaul to clean out the backpack, desk, cubby, etc
daily check-ins asking the questions: What is my most important thing today? What am I forgetting?
create a today list every day with no more than 4 items in order to avoid overwhelm
chunking by time and task using a timer
less is more, so taking the time to declutter every week

Activities to Help Executive Functioning Skills

There are a variety of activities that may assist a child with executive function disorder in attaining normative cognitive and social development. Here are some examples of effective executive function activities:

#1 – Skill-Building Games

There are a number of different board games and other types of games that you can play with your child to encourage the healthy development of executive skills. While it's unclear how much these games actually improve the symptoms of EFD, they provide opportunities to spend quality time with your child, which will certainly improve his or her social adaptability and overall happiness.

#2 – Competitive Sports

Competitive sports are some of the best activities for executive function disorder. These types of activities assist children in developing social skills, and they also boost cognitive flexibility and anticipation.

While any type of physical exercise will help with the symptoms of EFD by improving overall health, team sports allow children to become closer to their peers and learn more about working together to achieve shared goals. It isn't necessary to compete in physical sports; any type of competitive activity, such as chess, will improve executive functioning in children.

#3 – Musical Activities

It has long since been concluded that music helps improve brain functioning, and listening to music can help children with EFD focus and regulate their emotions. The benefits of music become even more pronounced, however, when you encourage your child with EFD to learn how to play an instrument.

#4 – Creative Outlets to Assist with Executive Function Disorder

Drawing, building, and designing whether in 2D or 3D are enormously helpful for a high performing child with executive function dysfunction. In many cases, children with executive dysfunction are also gifted, which means their brain is often on fire. Therefore, the adults in their lives need to make certain these children have outlets.

Helping Your Child with Executive Function Disorder

I attended a conference on parenting gifted children recently. One of the presenters, Seth Perler, focused his presentation (and life's work for that matter) on helping gifted children with these gaps in executive functioning. I took away a ton from his talk. His main takeaway for me and one I believe he emphasized was our relationship with the child matters the most.

Children struggling with these tasks, often struggle with big emotions, depression, anxiety, poor self-image, too. In other words, Children experience and feel the world differently than the typical human being does. As we work with them through the process of developing their weaknesses into strengths, we need to be developing a strong, solid, loving, genuine relationship with them. Furthermore, don't allow the child to define himself or be defined by his giftedness or “disability”. It was a powerful way to end his extremely practical talk outlining helpful strategies for teachers and parents.

How Are SPD and Anxiety Related?

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Anxiety In Kids, Parenting, Sensory Processing Disorder Tagged With: Positive Parenting This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Do you have a highly sensitive child who shows abnormal reactions to all kinds of things that don't bother most kids? Is your child overly cautious, an extremely picky eater or terrified for no apparent reason? These could be symptoms of sensory processing disorder or SPD, which often lead to anxiety. So, a child may experience sensory overload anxiety, but just how are SPD and anxiety related?

How are sensory processing disorder and anxiety related?

How Are SPD and Anxiety Related?

The condition affects how the brain interprets nerve signals from the various senses–such as touch, taste, hearing smell and sight. Normal events and activities can often trigger sensory overloads in people with SPD and cause panic attacks, stress, and troubling physical symptoms.

Many parents become troubled themselves when they uncover evidence that a child has problems with sensory integration and brain development. SPD can cause kids to throw tantrums, destroy their clothes, refuse to eat certain foods and withdraw from social activities.

The brain receives the same information in people with SPD, but the data don't get properly organized in ways that trigger appropriate responses. It's like a traffic jam in the nervous system, and kids are especially vulnerable as they strive to interpret sensory signals that don't make sense to them. [1] The disorder can affect anyone, but between 5 percent and 16 percent of children show symptoms of the condition.

Children with SPD tend to show wildly inappropriate behavior. The disorder affects gifted children and those with ADHD, fragile X syndrome and autism at even higher rates. [1] SPD can be the cause of great stress, so children with the disorder often become extremely anxious about all kinds of things such as routine social interactions, the fit, and texture of their clothes, crowds of people, noises, physical contact, and other sensory stimuli.

Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder

The symptoms of anxiety and SPD are similar, and your child may suffer from both conditions. The exact causes of SPD aren't known, but some studies indicate that birth complications, environmental factors, and genetic predisposition increase the likelihood of your child developing the disorder. [1]

SPD was formerly called sensory integration dysfunction, and the condition isn't medically recognized as a distinct diagnosis. People with the disorder find common stimuli painful or disturbing. Even the light touch of a garment might chafe the skin. Kids with the condition might bump into things more often than their peers, appear uncoordinated, have difficulties telling where their limbs are and act extremely shy around other children and be unwilling to play or converse. [2]

The condition is chronic, and there is no known cure. However, most people can overcome the issues to live normal lives by adjusting their expectations. SPD is related to autism. Kids might be disturbed by things most take for granted such as a leaf blower, church bells, and foods with certain textures. Many kids with the condition begin as fussy eaters who often thrown temper tantrums or have complete meltdowns. [2]

It's believed the root cause is related to hypersensitivity to light and sound, a condition that has a strong hereditary influence. Essentially, that means SPD is more likely to run in families. [2]

Anxiety-related Complications to Sensory Processing Disorder

Anxiety-related disorders such as phobias, depression and alcohol and drug abuse are common in older children when they also have SPD symptoms. Unfortunately, these disorders are also chronic, and they can trigger more frequent occurrences of other physical ailments such as colds, immune system problems, and bacterial and viral diseases. [3]

That's why it's so important to deal with SPD and anxiety-related disorders proactively. The conditions can lead to extreme phobias, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Left untreated, these sensory disorders can be devastating. However, showing your child simple empathy and planning their daily activities to minimize unexpected stimuli can desensitize your child and help him or her to live normally and productively. [3]

Dealing with an Anxious Child

Anxiety-producing events can't always be identified in advance, so it's important to provide activities that can help your child manage stress when panic attacks occur. Physical activity often does the job, and concentrating on a favorite fidget toy or game can also generate a calming influence.

The symptoms of both anxiety and SPD include:

Hypersensitivity to touch and sound
Fear of crowds
Balance problems that cause frequent falls
Skin sensitivity to certain fabrics
Fidgeting behavior
Multiple food aversions
Hearing background noises continually
Extreme sense of smell
Inability to moderate behavior such as being over-responsive and under-responsive and developing extreme cravings
Poor posture

Common Physical Symptoms of SPD

Certain key physical symptoms are common among SPD victims and anxiety-prone patients. A large number of kids with SPD also have symptoms of anxious restlessness. The SPD can cause a child to feel overwhelmed and show symptoms of phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, and other disorders. The symptoms of both conditions include: [4]

Dilated pupils
Stomach disorders including cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting
Shaking and trembling
Rigid posture
Excessive sweating
Bouts of dizziness and disorientation
Shortness of breath
Insomnia
Heart palpitations
Flushed face and neck
Racing thoughts

Dealing with Your Highly Sensitive Child

Dealing with these mutually aggravating conditions can be a challenge for parents, but taking a proactive approach can help your child blossom. Anxious kids want to feel normal, but they can't always control their feelings. Kids need help with both SPD and anxiety-related disorders, which tend to feed upon each other.

Understanding and empathy are important. As kids learn about their condition, they can respond differently and begin to dial back their inappropriate responses. Avoidance is one solution. Parents can help kids avoid those triggers that generate an attack such as elevators and cramped spaces, large crowds, new foods and unexpected changes to routine.

Parenting a child with anxiety-related disorders and SPD requires a bit more effort than dealing with other children, but the effort can provide big rewards. The extra attention can identify many of the common problems that kids get into as they mature. You must pay more attention to parent an SPD child. That takes conscious thought, planning and identifying potential hazards. As you adjust to the process, it becomes easier to adapt your plans to daily situations.

Strategies for Parenting a Child with SPD and Anxiety

However, none of these things can be completely avoided all the time. Kids need to learn to acclimatize to things out of their comfort zone.

Some of the best practices for parenting a child with SPD and anxiety-related disorders include:

Recognize your child's strengths to give him or her greater confidence in dealing with sensory overload.
Find what works to calm your child, but recognize that it is an ongoing process that will need regular updates.
Reassure your child that he or she is loved, safe and understood.
Prepare a daily outline of activities to identify potential areas of sensory dangers.
Eliminate any personal anger or guilt because your child is sensitive to these emotions.

It's important to read extensively about the twin disorders and seek the advice of a physician. You should be aware that before the age of 3, parents get free sensory integration therapy at local early intervention centers. Programs are also usually available for free for children between the ages of 3 and 5 through the Child Find Program, and local Elks club chapters often offer help for evaluation, treatment, and supplies. [5]

SPD and Anxiety References:

[1] Spdstar.org: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder
https://www.spdstar.org/basic/understanding-sensory-processing-disorder

[2] Webmd.com: Sensory Processing Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
https://www.webmd.com/children/sensory-processing-disorder

[3] Healthline.com: Conditions associated with anxiety
https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety-complications#outlook

[4] Lifeskillsforkids.com: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and Anxiety – How are they similar and different?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and Anxiety – How are they similar and different ?

[5] Sensory-processing-disorder.com: A Step By Step Guide For SPD Parents: The Seven Steps For Helping Your SPD Child
https://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/step-by-step-guide-for-spd-parents.html

Discover the Best Sensory Checklists & Help Your Child

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Parenting, Sensory Processing Disorder Tagged With: Positive Parenting This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

[Please scroll down for resources mentioned in this post.]

Years ago, as we began our sensory processing journey, I scoured the internet for an answer to the question: what are the signs of sensory issues? I discovered sensory checklists, a tool that guided me in identifying my sons' sensory integration challenges.

Most importantly, though, it helped us find the appropriate professional to create a plan matched to my sons' developmental needs. Sensory checklists are the perfect starting point for parents in determining a child's sensory needs.

Sensory Processing Integration Issues

Are you concerned about your child's sensory integration?

Do you wonder about sensory processing disorder?

What does it mean to have sensory processing disorder?

Or maybe your child seems all over the place and you're worried about executive function?

Good news for you: there are ample high-quality sensory checklists to help guide parents and teachers. I include links to my favorite sensory checklists in this post.

What is a Sensory Checklist?

Great question! According to Developmental Pathways, “the purpose of a sensory processing checklist is to help parents and professionals who interact with children become educated about particular signs of sensory processing dysfunction.”

Keep in mind that a sensory checklist is not an ending point for diagnosing a child with a certain sensory processing disorder. A sensory checklist is a guide, a starting point for you and possibly your pediatrician until you find a reputable occupational therapist.

Use Sensory Checklists to Determine Your Child's Needs

Is your child overly sensitive to touch and sensitive to light?

Does he have trouble grasping objects, holding a writing utensil, or catching a ball?

Are you concerned about fine motor skills as he has difficulty completely fine motor tasks?

Maybe you've noticed that he enjoys extreme force, such as pulling and pushing, in his activities.

Hyposensitivity Sensory Checklist

With a sensory checklist, we identified our oldest son's hyposensitivity. We observed that he touched everything and constantly chewed on his shirt. He is an oral sensory seeker, a picky eater, and easily distracted. As a result, our oldest needed more sensory input. His gross motor skills were off the chart as he was in constant motion. Furthermore, his issue was not poor balance but exactly the opposite.

To clarify, he needs to be moving his body in order to focus. Therefore, if he were forced to sit, he would have difficulty learning. That was an ah-ha moment for me as an educator and parent. His brain needs additional input to be able to take in the learning. Stepping back, it makes a lot of sense within the context of brain development.

Hypersensitivity Sensory Checklist

Our middle son is the opposite – hypersensitive, which, in his case, means that he reacts negatively to anything that overstimulates his nervous system. He experiences strong reactions to smells and noises.

To give you an example, years ago we were traveling in San Francisco. In order to get to my sister's home, we hopped into a taxi cab. Immediately, the driver's cologne enveloped the car and my son appeared as if he was going to vomit. Well, we made it to our destination, at which point my son let out a huge breath.

Your Starting Point for Understanding Sensory Processing Disorders

With a sensory checklist, I was able to determine the type of sensory processing disorder and we could move onto the sensory processing treatment. I want you to have the same insight into your child's sensory development. Below is a short list of sensory checklist resources. I hope you find these sensory processing disorder assessments helpful.

Sensory Checklist Resources

Sensory Smarts
Developmental Pathways
System Checklist from STAR Institute
Sensory Processing Disorders.com
Sensory Symptoms Checklist for Kids
Pediatric Therapy Services Sensory Kids SPD Checklist
Sensory Resources

Please consider these sensory checklists as a starting point for you, a first step to truly meeting the needs of your child. Seek out an occupational therapist for a specific guide and sensory diet.

Once you have a better understanding of your child and if they face sensory processing disorder, I think you will find this ultimate resource on raising sensory kids extremely helpful!

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