Sensory experience – community paediatrics advice

What does sensory experience mean?

We get information about what is happening inside our body and outside our body through senses. Our sense organs (eyes, nose, and so on) take information to the brain to be understood.

Sight, sound, touch, taste and smell are senses for information outside the body.

Proprioception senses how our body moves.

Vestibular senses our balance.

Interoception senses hunger, pain and bladder and bowel control and so on.

How does the sensory experience develop?

Babies and children’s brains learn how to process the information from their senses through practice. As part of typical development young children can be over or under sensitive to sensory information.

Some people have a different sensory experience, this is more common in neurodivergent people because of differences in the way their brains process information. Neurodivergent people might need support to reduce sensory information or to get extra sensory information.

What does my child experience sensory information?

Have you noticed any differences to expected?

Do you have any worries?

How to support my child’s sensory experience?

Think about the times that are difficult for your child because of their sensory experience. How does it cause a problem?

Is your child tired or anxious, these can increase sensory sensitivity and need to be sorted out first.

Sheffield sensory processing service has useful videos and ideas. Start with the videos and try out ideas as you go. Once you have completed the work on the website you can ask for extra support if it is still needed.

What should I expect from our community paediatric appointment?

You will be asked about your child’s sensory experience and behaviour. Sensory experience changes a lot in childhood and is impacted by tiredness, anxiety and other stressors. Diagnoses such as autism may be considered.

In Sheffield we do not give formal diagnoses of Sensory processing difficulties, instead we focus on understanding and supporting a child’s individual needs.

If you have not already looked at the Sensory service resources above you will be asked to do this.