Sensory Processing Disorder Symptoms & Supportive Activities For Children (Age 1-5)
As parents, caregivers, and teachers, we all want to see children thrive in their environments—whether at home, at school, or during play. But for some children, everyday experiences can become overwhelming or even distressing.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to information from the senses, making it hard for children to organize and act upon the sensory input they receive.
SPD can affect children in various ways, and it often shows up in behaviors that might puzzle parents and caregivers.
Early identification and intervention are essential because they can assist children with organizing and managing their responses to sensory stimuli, leading to improved self-esteem and participation in daily activities.
This blog will highlight some common symptoms of SPD that parents can watch for and offer three fun activities designed to help children manage sensory challenges.
Sensory Processing Disorder Symptoms
Sensory Processing Disorder presents differently in each child. Here are some symptoms that may indicate your child is experiencing sensory processing challenges:
Visual System
The visual system provides spatial and temporal information, helping children understand where they are in their environment. Children with visual processing difficulties might avoid bright lights, squint frequently, or have trouble navigating through spaces. They may also struggle with tasks like putting together puzzles or being more comfortable in dimly lit rooms.
Auditory System
This system helps children process sounds and understand where sounds are coming from. Children who struggle with auditory processing might cover their ears in response to loud sounds or struggle to focus in environments with background noise. Some children may appear not to hear you, even though their hearing is fine, simply because their brain is filtering sounds differently.
Vestibular System
The vestibular system controls balance, movement, and spatial orientation. Children with vestibular processing difficulties may fear having their feet off the ground, resist activities like swinging, or dislike car rides. Conversely, some children seek intense vestibular input by spinning, rocking, or bouncing.
Proprioceptive System
This system provides body awareness and information about muscle and joint positions. Children with proprioceptive difficulties may frequently bump or crash into objects, break toys, or struggle with tasks requiring force control, like opening doors. They might also crave activities that involve heavy pushing or pulling.
Oral System
The oral system processes information related to taste, texture, and temperature. Children with oral sensitivities might be picky eaters, gag easily with certain food textures, or have an intense preference or aversion to specific tastes and smells.
Tactile System
This system relates to the sense of touch. Tactile sensitivity might cause a child to avoid messy activities, shy away from group play, or seek excessive touch, sometimes to the point of annoying others. They may also react strongly to certain clothing textures or refuse to touch particular materials.
Olfactory System
This system is tied to smell. Some children with olfactory sensitivities may be overly reactive to certain scents, such as food or cleaning products, while others may crave specific smells. Strong reactions to smells can lead to withdrawal from certain environments or activities.
Parents may find themselves asking questions like:
- “Why does my child become upset with loud noises?”
- “Why does my child prefer to be in the dark?”
- “Why does my child seem to crash into everything?”
If you notice these types of behaviors, sensory processing difficulties may be affecting your child’s ability to engage in daily routines and participate in typical childhood activities.
Fun Activities to Improve Sensory Processing
Incorporating sensory-friendly activities into your child’s routine can help them process sensory information more effectively. Here are three enjoyable activities that target different sensory systems and can be easily done at home:
Spider Web Obstacle Course (Vestibular and Proprioceptive)
Materials Needed:
- Yarn or string
- Chairs, pillows, and other furniture
How to Do It: Use yarn to create a “spider web” between furniture pieces, such as chairs or tables. Make a fun obstacle course where your child has to crawl, jump, or carefully maneuver through the web without touching it. Add challenges, like picking up “spider eggs” (small balls or stuffed toys) as they go.
Spooky Pasta Sensory Play (Tactile and Visual)
Materials Needed:
- Penne, spaghetti and elbow pasta
- Ziplock bags
- Food coloring
- Pot with water
- Pasta strainer
- Large bowl/container for pasta medley
- Plastic spiders, spider eggs, eyeballs, etc.
How to Do It: Cook the pasta. After draining and rinsing the pasta, put in 3 Ziplock bags. Add orange food coloring with a few drops of water to 1 bag, black food coloring with a few drops of water to the 2nd bag, and purple food coloring with a few drops of water to the 3rd bag. Mix the pasta and the food coloring together until the pasta is completely covered. Repeat with each bag. Next, rinse the colored pasta to remove excess dye. Place all the pasta into large bowl/container and mix. Add plastic eyeballs, spider eggs, spiders, etc. Give one final mix and your sensory play is ready. This activity can be fun anytime, with your eyes open or closed, alone or with a friend! To sustain freshness, refrigerate when not in play.
Your Next Step: Partnering with Us for Sensory Support
Our occupational therapists specialize in sensory integration therapy, tailoring strategies and exercises to each child’s specific needs.
Our therapy programs are designed to support your child in all areas of life—from home and school to play and community engagement. We combine sensory experiences with functional tasks, helping children develop the skills they need to succeed and feel empowered.
If you think your child could benefit from sensory integration therapy, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact us today at 845-362-7787 or visit our website to learn more about our personalized therapy services.
Let’s work together to help your child reach their full potential, turning sensory challenges into strengths!