By Amy Hengstebeck, OTRL
KCC Director of Occupational Therapy & Sensory Programs

Sensory processing refers to the way the brain registers and utilizes all the sensations coming from within the body and from the external environment. It’s how we perceive our surroundings, the people and physical objects in it, how we relate our bodies to them, and how they relate to each other.

Because our brains use information about sights, sounds, textures, smells, tastes and movement in an organized way, we assign meaning to our sensory experiences, and know how to respond accordingly.

Children with sensory processing disorders are unable to appropriately manage this input, making it challenging for them to figure out what is going on inside and outside of their bodies. As a result, a child may avoid confusing or distressing sensations, or seek out the sensation to find out more about it. Because these kids cannot rely on their senses to give them an accurate picture of the world, they are unsure how to respond, and may have trouble learning and behaving appropriately. [more]

Originally posted in Metro Parent. Click below to read the rest of this article on their website.