Autism Acceptance

Sensory Processing is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We understand the world around us through our senses. This blog will focus on gross motor skills: difficulty with the grading of movement.

GROSS MOTOR SKILLS
Difficulty with "Grading Of Movement”:
Misjudges how much to flex and extend muscles during tasks / activities (i.e., putting arms into sleeves or climbing)Difficulty regulating pressure when writing / drawing; may be too light to see or so hard the tip of writing utensil breaksWritten work is messy and he / she often rips the paper when erasingAlways seems to be breaking objects and toysMisjudges the weight of an object, such as a glass of juice, picking it up with too much force sending it flying or spilling, or with too little force and complaining about objects being too heavyMay not understand the idea of "heavy" or "light"; would not be able to hold two objects and tell you which weighs moreSeems to do everything with too m…

Sensory Processing is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We understand the world around us through our senses. This blog will focus on fine motor skills: poor tactile perception and discrimination.

FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Poor Tactile Perception and Discrimination:
Has difficulty with fine motor tasks such as buttoning, zipping, and fastening clothesMay not be able to identify which part of their body was touched if they were not lookingMay be afraid of the darkMay be a messy dresser; looks disheveled, does not notice pants are twisted, shirt is half un-tucked, shoes are untied, one pant leg is up and one is down, etc.Has difficulty using scissors, crayons, or silverwareContinues to mouth objects to explore them even after age twoHas difficulty figuring out physical characteristics of objects; shape, size, texture, temperature, weight, etc.May not be able to identify objects by feel and uses vision to help when reaching into backpack or desk to retrieve an item

Sensory Processing is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We understand the world around us through our senses. This blog will focus on posture: poor muscle tone and / or coordination.

POSTURE
Poor Muscle Tone and / or Coordination:
Has a limp, "floppy" bodyFrequently slumps, lies down, and / or leans head on hand or arm while working at his / her deskDifficulty simultaneously lifting head, arms, and legs off the floor while lying on stomach ("superman" position)Often sits in a "W sit" position on the floor to stabilize bodyTires easily!Compensates for "looseness" by grasping objects tightlyDifficulty turning doorknobs, handles, opening and closing itemsDifficulty catching himself / herself if fallingDifficulty getting dressed and doing fasteners, zippers, and buttonsMay have never crawled as a babyHas poor body awareness; bumps into things, knocks things over, trips, and / or appears clumsyPoor gross motor skills; jumping, ca…

Sensory Processing is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We understand the world around us through our senses. This blog will focus on motion: hyper-sensitivity and hypo-sensitivity.

MOTION
Hypersensitivity to Movement (Over-Responsive):
Avoids / dislikes playground equipment; i.e., swings, ladders, slides, or merry-go-roundsPrefers sedentary tasks, moves slowly and cautiously, avoids taking risks, and may appear "wimpy"Avoids / dislikes elevators and escalators; may prefer sitting while they are on them or, actually get motion sickness from themMay physically cling to an adult they trustMay appear terrified of falling even when there is no real risk of itAfraid of heights, even the height of a curb or stepFearful of feet leaving the groundFearful of going up or down stairs or walking on uneven surfacesAfraid of being tipped upside down, sideways or backwards; will strongly resist getting hair washed over the sinkStartles if someone else moves them; i.e.,…

Sensory Processing is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We understand the world around us through our senses. This blog will focus on smell: hyper-sensitivity and hypo-sensitivity.

SMELL
Hypersensitivity to Smells (Over-Responsive):
Reacts negatively to, or dislikes smells which do not usually bother, or get noticed, by other people Tells other people (or talks about) how bad or funny they smell Refuses to eat certain foods because of their smell Offended and / or nauseated by bathroom odors or personal hygiene smells Bothered / irritated by smell of perfume or cologne Bothered by household or cooking smells May refuse to play at someone's house because of the way it smells Decides whether he / she likes someone or some place by the way it smells
Hyposensitivity to Smells (Under-Responsive):
Has difficulty discriminating unpleasant odors May drink or eat things that are poisonous because they do not notice the noxious smell Unable to identify smells from scratch…

Sensory Processing is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We understand the world around us through our senses. This blog will focus on touch: hyper-sensitivity and hypo-sensitivity.

TOUCH

Hypersensitivity to Touch (Tactile Defensiveness):
Becomes fearful, anxious or aggressive with light or unexpected touchAs an infant did / does not like to be held or cuddled; may arch back, cry, and pull awayDistressed when diaper is being, or needs to be, changedAppears fearful of, or avoids standing in close proximity to other people or peers (especially in lines)Becomes frightened when touched from behind or by someone/something they cannot see (such as under a blanket)Complains about having hair brushed; may be very picky about using a particular brushBothered by rough bed sheets (i.e., if old and "bumpy")Avoids group situations for fear of the unexpected touchResists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings (sometimes family members as…

Sensory Processing is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We understand the world around us through our senses. This blog will focus on taste: hyper-sensitivity and hypo-sensitivity.

TASTE

Hypersensitivity to Oral Input (Oral Defensiveness):
Picky eater, often with extreme food preferences; i.e., limited repertoire of foods, picky about brands, resistive to trying new foods or restaurants, and may not eat at other people's houses) May only eat "soft" or pureed foods past 24 months of age May gag with textured foods Has difficulty with sucking, chewing, and swallowing; may choke or have a fear of choking Resists / refuses / extremely fearful of going to the dentist or having dental work done May only eat hot or cold foods Refuses to lick envelopes, stamps, or stickers because of their taste Dislikes or complains about toothpaste and mouthwash Avoids seasoned, spicy, sweet, sour or salty foods; prefers bland foods Hyposensitivity to Oral Input (Under-Regi…