As we walk, feel the breeze on our face, climb up a steep incline, hear a bird chirp, stumble on a rock, smell the sweet sense of a flower in bloom, scratch a bug bite, and enjoy the low light of early evening, we are unaware of our senses at work. It's automatic, our sensory system just keeps working, without much conscious thought about it as we go about our day. Sensory processing (often referred to as sensory integration) happens effortlessly; unless, something is "not quite right."

All of us can be startled by a loud noise, notice a tag in our clothing that feels rough, be uncomfortable with heights, squint in the bright sun, dislike a certain smell, or feel uncoordinated when it comes to learning how to play golf. However, we don't think much of it. On the other hand, we might love the rush of riding the roller coaster, enjoy a lot of physical activity as we work out, jog, or play tennis each day, not mind climbing up a tall ladder, or enjoy the feel of lots of blankets on us, even in the summer. However, it's all a matter of the degree. Does it interfere with our choices in life? Is it a constant annoyance in our daily lives?

When our sensory processing (sometimes called sensory integration) is not properly developed (our senses don't work well together), then we might have a problem. Our brains should automatically take in all of the sensory information around us, filter out or call attention to certain pieces of information, and essentially 'put it all together,' delivering accurate information to the brain thus allowing us to understand it, and take action without much effort…unless we have difficulty processing sensory information.

Children who have sensory processing (sensory integration) difficulties may be thought of as

• 'On the go,' loves to jump from the bed or the stairs, or liking big bear hugs
• Overly cautious
• Oblivious as to what is safe and what is dangerous, such as jumping from the top of the stairs
• Very picky about food and/or clothing, or having their hands dirty
• Enjoying small enclosed spaces such as the closet
• Easily alarmed by noises such made by a hairdryer, blender, and/or vacuum cleaner
• Very sensitive, overly emotional
• Hard to calm to get to sleep at night
• Disliking certain smells such as play dough

Children learn how to cope with sensory information that is alarming or not notice things that are dangerous. They need to move, crash, and bump. These children can be very emotional or don't even cry when they scrape their knee. Unfortunately, these children may be misunderstood as having 'bad behavior' or being 'clueless.' For them and their families, life can be a roller coaster of ups and downs, as if 'walking on eggshells' when children with these difficulties are in our class at school or a part of our family. So when these tendencies or behaviors interfere with everyday function, it may be a the sign of a Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder is not "Bad Behavior."

It may be just the way the child has learned to cope with the world around him.

Sensory integration, simply put is the ability to take in information through our senses (touch, movement, smell, taste, vision, and hearing), put it together with prior learned information, memories, and knowledge, and make a meaningful response (Slotsky and Paris, 2005). Normal sensory integration (or sensory processing) allows a child to interact appropriately with his environment, experience success from learning a new skill, and generally feel at ease at home and at school.