Description |
Sensation is the raw material mediating the formation of the earliest relationships, contributing to the regulation of emotion and behavior and the construction of knowledge-all key components of Infant Mental Health. The manner in which children register, process and interpret sensation, contributes significantly to the way they perceive and interpret reality and consequently behave. If a child’s registration, processing and interpretation of sensory information is distorted because of a sensory processing disorder (SPD), then her/his behavior is likely to follow “perception” and be at-risk for being “out-of-synch”. The preschooler with tactile hypersensitivity may misperceive a benign brush or accidental bump-in-a-shuffle as aggressive and lash out accordingly, but not be truly aggressive intent.
This case-based presentation discusses the developmental links between sensory processing and the organization of the key components of infant mental health- relationship formation, regulation and the ability to learn. The clinical presentation of SPDs will be examined through a psychological lens and address, in-depth, the ways they mimic and contribute to mental health disorders of infancy and early childhood. Interpreting behavior through the lens of sensory processing may dramatically alter how professionals understand behaviors that appear primarily psychological in origin and open parent-friendly “ports-of-entry” that support families to be more open to help and to participate in intervention.
The sensory processing/SPD knowledge base is Occupational Therapy driven but will be interpreted through a psychological lens with respect to scope of practice with applicability across disciplines. Interventions pertinent to classroom and clinic that are therapist (OT)-supported as well as those that include sensory strategies and environmental supports and modifications for young children with sensory challenges will be presented and discussed in-depth with participant participation.
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