Hi Hanna,

I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Over the holidays I came across these fantastic images created by occupational therapist Dr. Annie Baltazar Mori (you might have to click somewhere on your email to show images).

When I'm explaining to families what my Sensory Success assessment looks at I explain that I look at sensory reactivity and sensory perception. It's usually sensory reactivity that most people have heard of e.g. finding touch/noise/light etc overwhelming or seeking movement and additional sensory input. Alot of people don't realise that things like ability to open packets, get dressed, tie shoelaces, handwrite without fatigue, still still, balance, close a door without slamming it, swim, ride a bike (the list could go on and on!) is also sensory related - this is the sensory perception part. 

Sensory perception is about the brain's ability to understand (perceive) information coming from the sensory receptors e.g. the skin, the ears, the eyes. The receptors register sensory information and then the brain uses this information to guide the body part during an activity. If the receptors are not correctly registering this information, then the correct message does not get to the brain and the brain cannot direct the body part to interact with an object appropriately. I've just massively over simplified the neuroscience there but I didn't want to write an essay!

I thought it would be helpful to raise awareness that sensory processing is about much more than being sensitive to haircuts, noise and seeking movement. Most of the children I see have sensory reactivity and sensory perception needs but some have either one or the other. 

That's it for now as I'm having a lazy week! If you have plans for New Year then I hope you enjoy. My son's Christmas present was 2 nights at a local hotel he loves with a pool so we're off there before the schools go back. 

Hanna

I'm quickly booking up for 2025...please reply to this email if you'd like to book a discovery call to discuss Sensory Success.