Sensory and behavior issues…

All human beings are not same. They vary in their perception and hence brain functioning. Children with SPD (sensory processing disorder) perceive the environment differently and hence they behave differently. It is not because they are bold, risk taker or absurd.  It is always important to understand the difference between the sensory and behavior issues. Since, their presentation overlap with each other, it is confusing and misleading.

Sensory issues are consistent in presentation than behavior issues.
For eg Naina bangs her head on the wall. If it would be a sensory issue the child may do it any time of the day without a reason but if it is a behavior issue the child may do once, many times or not at all in a day. The behavior may be because of not liking the food, cloth or toy.

Sensory issues are  not affected by someone’s presence. For eg Naina bangs her head anytime and even if someone is around it doesn’t bother her. But, for behavior issue it occurs only if someone is present (attention seeking behavior).

Many time  sensory issue can be self injurious but behavior issues are rarely. Nysa bangs her head very hard on the wall. She is least bothered with the pain. She has bruises over head but it does not stop her banging head. For behavior issue, the head banging would be less injurious as child is careful not to hurt himself.

Sensory issues need both behavior modification and sensory integration as treatment but behavior issues improve only with behavior modification. For eg…Nysa bangs head to crave movement or to stimulate the vestibular system. Giving lot of planned movement like swinging and up to down position will help her. This also needs telling her not to bang her head and giving her reward  if she does not do that. But, if it is behavior issue then finding the cause and diverting her attention to something interesting would decrease her undesirable behavior. This also needs reinforcement to encourage her.