What is Multisensory Processing?

Multisensory processing refers to the brain's ability to combine information from different sensory modalities, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, to form a complete understanding of the world. We also have three hidden senses: vestibular, proprioception, and interoception. It involves the intricate interaction of signals arriving nearly simultaneously from these different sensory modalities. This process may vary from person to person in terms of efficiency, intensity, or integration, leading to distinct sensory profiles.

Imagine sitting down for breakfast in the morning. It's not just about the taste of the food alone. It's the combination of the aroma, the texture, and the visual presentation that creates a multisensory experience. Similarly, when we drive a car, we process a multitude of sensory inputs such as the visual information, the sounds of the surroundings, the movement of the vehicle, and the tactile sensations of gripping the steering wheel.

Children, like adults, constantly encounter multisensory input throughout their daily routines. From waking up and preparing for the day to engaging in various activities at school, sports, or home, they are exposed to a diverse range of sensory experiences. How their bodies receive and interpret this sensory input can influence their responses, leading to either appropriate reactions or challenges in sensory processing.

Understanding these connections and interdependencies among sensory systems can help identify and address multisensory processing challenges in children, paving the way for appropriate support and interventions.

Identifying sensory processing challenges

Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) are conditions that affect the way individuals perceive and respond to sensory input. These disorders can manifest in various ways, such as hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory stimuli. We will explore common signs and symptoms of SPD and offer insights into how multisensory processing relates to these disorders.

Determining if your child has challenges with multisensory processing can be similar to identifying overall sensory processing challenges. However, there might be specific nuances that can help you pinpoint the areas of difficulty.

Let's consider some examples. A child with vestibular processing challenges may exhibit aversion to and avoidance of movement-based activities. On the other hand, a child facing both vestibular and visual processing challenges may encounter significant difficulties with tasks requiring hand-eye coordination.

Similarly, a child with auditory processing challenges may struggle to follow instructions that involve 2-3 steps. However, a child with combined auditory and visual processing challenges may face equal difficulty in following instructions that involve both auditory and visual components.

Since our eight senses are interconnected, difficulties in one sensory system often coincide with challenges in other systems. For instance, research has shown that visual cues, such as lip movements, can influence our perception of speech, even though speech is primarily based on sound processing. Consequently, if a child struggles with both auditory and visual processing, comprehending and following speech can be extremely challenging for them.

To support children in navigating their daily tasks and enhancing their learning abilities, it is essential to foster their multisensory processing skills. By incorporating multiple senses in learning activities, we can provide them with opportunities to strengthen memory, auditory processing, and overall cognitive abilities.

Birth - 3 Years: Building a Sensory Foundation

During this early stage, it's important to introduce simple sensory experiences.

• Stimulate your baby's visual development with high contrast books and activities that encourage visual tracking.

• Explore vestibular input through gentle movements like walking together, rolling, and car rides.

• Engage the sense of touch through tummy time and tactile exploration using soft blankets, textured surfaces, and cuddles.

• Introduce auditory input with calming classical music and nursery rhymes, while occasionally exposing them to diluted essential oils and nature's scents.

As your child becomes mobile, they naturally experience vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and visual input through their movements.

Enhance their sensory experiences by offering cause-and-effect toys, varied textured surfaces, a diverse range of food items with different smells and textures, and continued exposure to music and sounds.