It is important to consider the impact that sensory stimuli may have on a child’s environment and the impact these systems may have on a child’s behavior. While we are unable to anticipate all situations where a child’s sensory stimuli may impact his functioning, it may be beneficial to understand some of these possible situations. The following charts are intended to provide some insight and guidance into situations that may impact children so you can make accommodations or adaptations as necessary. to fully understand what might be changed or the impact of these changes for a child it is important to consult someone who is fully knowledgeable about the sensory systems and how they work with each other. Typically, an occupational therapist should be able to provide an understanding of these systems as well as what precautions may be needed when children are experiencing difficulty. Many activities in which children participate throughout their day are impacted by the way their sensory systems react to them. It is also important to remember that many activities use more than one sensory system at the same time, and we may have to look closely to find out which sensory system(s) is causing a child difficulty while participating in an activity.

The following chart looks at the various sensory systems and offers some suggestions for addressing those systems in both the home environment and the school setting. It should be kept in mind that many of these suggestions may apply to multiple settings and/or environments. It is, by no means, intended to be an exhaustive list of strategies, but, rather, a few suggestions to help you begin to address some of the sensory issues a child may be experiencing. Click pictures of the sensory systems below to see more information.