The Sensory Profile allows therapists and parents to look at the child’s sensory needs based on four quadrants.  We will talk about those today.

Poor Registration

These children have trouble interpreting or registering the sensory information they are receiving from their environment.  They are usually considered under-responsive to stimuli and respond little to sensory changes in the environment.

Behavioral Characteristics:

• May appear uninterested
• May have flat or dull affect (facial expression)
• Can be quiet/passive
• May seem to have low energy levels
• May act overly tired all the time
• May have an apathetic appearance
• May have a self-absorbed appearance

Intervention Ideas:

• Goal- Provide activities or changes in the environment that charge up the sensory system to meet the demands of a high threshold and allow child to function more effectively in the environment.
• Change the stimuli in environment in order to grab the child’s attention-utilize objects with bright or contrasting colors; provide alerting activities such as spinning, fast swinging, running, jumping, bouncing, rolling, movement in quickly changing directions with changes to both acceleration and deceleration; engage in activities that use changes in temperatures or touch (cold, vibration); utilize music with fast or irregular rhythms; offer foods with alerting tastes such as sour, bitter, or spicy.
• Change the daily, predictable routines of your day from time to time- try new foods, new outings, new times for activities.  This can be a really hard one for our kids, so be sure to offer these changes one at a time, allowing the child a better opportunity to adjust and enjoy! 

Sensation Seeking

These children actively seek and crave sensory input from their environment.  They engage in activities or actions that intensify the feelings of the input.  They have a high-threshold for sensory input and are always seeking to feed the craving of more!

Behavioral Characteristics:

• Can be very active
• Seem to be continuously engaging in activities
• May appear fidgety
• Easily excitable
• May make noises while playing or working
• Seem to have the constant need to touch objects
• May constantly chew on things
• May wrap themselves around furniture or other people
• May lack consideration for safety while playing
• May be a risk-taker

Intervention Ideas:

• Goal- Provide activities or environmental changes that feed the high-threshold of the child, allowing the sensory input to have a greater and longer-lasting effect.
• Provide alerting activities- utilize the same types of activities as you would above, however these kids can tolerate (and crave!) more intensity with the activities.