Sensory Defensiveness With sensory defensiveness, the child is hyper-sensitive to stimulation. For this condition the child’s nervous system over-reacts to the stimulation; lowering the threshold for the “flight or flight”, panic response. For these children, light touch can feel torturous, specific sounds and frequencies can be deafening, normal intensity of light can be blinding and smells can be overpowering and noxious. For these children, the world can be overwhelming and alarming. The child’s nervous system is often “on high alert” and “on guard” in anticipation of unexpected assaulting stimulation. These children are frequently insecure and highly anxious, and are often motivated to escape and avoid any situation of uncertainty, since the nervous system is worried about being assaulted. The child frequently has to control all activity and interaction to feel safe from unexpected stimulation. Usually the children are not sensitive in all senses. They can be oversensitive in one sense, and not in others. They can also be oversensitive to some stimulation, but not other stimulation, within the same sense. For example, their hearing may over-react to high pitch frequency, but under-aroused by low pitches. They may be able to listen to a loud, pounding rock concert, but not be able to handle the siren of an ambulance. These sensitivities vary depending on the status of their nervous system. If the child is tired, fatigued, ill, or hungry, sensitivities increase. The more taxed the nervous system the greater sensitivity to stimulation. Also, when they are in a “sensory loud” environments (a lot of activity, noise, lights, etc.) their nervous systems can be overwhelmed and sensitivities increase to heighten levels. The poor children are always anxiously anticipating the bombardment and panic attack. The effects of sensory defensiveness can be felt across all areas of living. The child‘s nervous system is often on guard, anxious about the next, unexpected assault to his nervous system. These children are frequently nervous, apprehensive, and easily overwhelmed. They often panic at unexpected sensations and become anxious in anticipation of what may be coming next. This defensiveness can often be seen in children who need to control everything around them, and resist following the lead of others. They are often seen as resistant and oppositional. In turn, sensory defensive can weaken the child’s sense of security, emotional stability, self identity, and social connectiveness. It is hard to act with confidence when constantly on guard and ready to flee. The least littlest snag can send them into a whirlwind. This series on “sensory issues” can be found in the blue book, “Autism Discussion Page on the Core Challenges of Autism”.
Posted on: Sun, 18 Jan 2015 22:39:40 +0000
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