Sensory behaviours are a person’s way of attempting to regulate their system. These behaviours are functional but can interrupt daily interactions and learning.
There are 3 different coping mechanisms:
- Reduce the focus
- Avoidance
- Learning to tolerate
Children with specific sensory needs or sensitivities benefit from activities which “feed” their preferences. During times of change and uncertainty many children will not be getting the natural sensory input their bodies are used to.
Click on the following websites for ideas on how to manage this within the home:
HIT for Kids (has ideas for different exercises that promotes sensory integration)
For more resources, activities and ideas for sensory diets please click here(Aberdeenshire Council’s ASN website.)
Aberdeenshire staff can find out more about supporting sensory needs by completing the Understanding Sensory Behaviours ALDO course. To access this course click here.
Over-sensitive vs Under sensitive
Understanding Sensory Behaviours
An ALDO course for school staff and other professionals has been created collaboratively with Aberdeenshire educational establishments and NHS Occupational Therapy to enhance practitioners’ understanding of sensory needs and how these can be supported in education. There are four modules in the course.
School staff and other professionals can find out more information on this course here.
