Studies by STAR Institute have suggested that nearly seventy-five-percent of children with ASD also show symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Many children with autism have sensory issues that can be either obvious or not-so-noticeable. As a parent of a child who has sensory issues, it is important to be able to identify what those are so that you can be sure to create an environment that supports their needs.
At Hidden Treasures, our specialists take sensory issues into account when they plan lessons and work with children. Because we want to ensure that our patients are comfortable when we tackle behavioral issues, we look for specific signs that your child could have sensory issues.
Signs of Sensory Issues in Children with ASD
Children with autism are typically diagnosed when they show restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. What does this look like?
- Making repetitive vocal sounds
- Tapping or hitting ears
- Repetitive eye blinking
- Moving hands in front of eyes continually
- Repetitive and excessive manipulations of an object
Why do individuals with autism do these behaviors? These repetitive actions are often done by children with ASD to soothes themselves when they are overwhelmed by sensory input. Because children do these behaviors without the help of another person, they can use these behaviors to be automatically reinforcing.
Repetitive behavior may not just be demonstrated when a child with ASD wants to self-soothe. He/she may showcase these behaviors if they know they are rewarded with attention or are given items that they want, like toys or candy.
Helping Your Child with Sensory Issues
If your child shows signs of sensory issues or has already been diagnosed, the best way to manage any behavior is to understand its function.
Every child is unique, and his/her behaviors are based on the individual. Our Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs) can help to identify your child’s sensory issues and what the main causes of these issues are. Our in-depth assessments can help you better understand your child and find ways to promote an environment that is better suited to his/her individual needs.
Although you may come across forums and blogs online offering advice on how to handle sensory issues in the home, we strongly advise parents and guardians to check with a BCBA before following any advice given over the internet. These suggestions could be potentially harmful and/or expensive. If the suggestions do not address the root cause of your child’s
behavior, you could be doing more harm than help. If you are looking for BCBAs that can provide insights and professional guidance to you and your child, we have a team here for you.
Hidden Treasures offers ABA therapy services that are tailored to your child’s distinct needs. We provide support and therapy services for parents of autism and children with ASD. Contact our team TODAY , and join our community of compassionate and dedicated professionals.