Supporting Children to Participate Successfully in Everyday Life by Using Sensory Processing Knowledge

TLDR

Literature on sensory processing in young children shows its importance for understanding vulnerable children, enabling professionals and families to interpret behaviors and tailor routines for successful experiences, and helping caregivers understand their own responses. This article reviews Dunn’s sensory processing model and summarizes evidence supporting it, then argues that applying this knowledge to everyday contexts and routines effectively supports children. The authors describe how the model’s concepts manifest in everyday behaviors and provide concrete suggestions for adapting situations to meet children’s sensory patterns and for adults to manage their own sensory needs. Applying sensory processing knowledge to natural routines proves effective, and the article offers specific adaptations that help children with diverse sensory profiles and aid caregivers in managing their own sensory responses.

Abstract

There is an accumulating literature describing sensory processing in young children and suggesting the importance of this knowledge for understanding the characteristics of vulnerable children. Professionals and families need a working knowledge about sensory processing because it enables them to understand and interpret children's behaviors and to tailor everyday life routines so that children may have successful and satisfying experiences. This article reviews Dunn's model of sensory processing, and summarizes both typical and special population evidences that demonstrate support for the model. The article also describes how the concepts in this model are reflected in everyday behaviors so that readers can link the concepts to their own knowledge about young children. Since processing concepts are based on evidence across the lifespan, this knowledge can also enable caregivers to understand their own responses as well. The article then discusses the application of sensory processing knowledge within natural contexts and routines, arguing that using sensory processing knowledge to analyze, adapt, and support the established routines is an effective application of knowledge. Finally, the article provides specific suggestions for adapting everyday life situations to meet the needs of children with different patterns of sensory processing, and illustrates how adults can manage their own sensory processing needs as they care for young children.