Does your child have reduced sensation? Let's talk about hyposensitivity!

Sometimes it's hard to understand some of our children's behaviors , isn't it? Some children turn a deaf ear to even the slightest sound, and cry for a long time even if they are hit hard. But there are other children who, no matter how hard they fall, get up as if it doesn't matter, and don't even listen to anyone talking. That's what we're going to talk about today in terms of differences in how they respond to sensations. Specifically, a condition called hyposensitivity, or reduced sensation.

Many people confuse the terms hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity. Both are problems with the way our brain processes sensations, which are two types of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Simply put, hypersensitivity is when a person experiences sensations in an exaggerated way . For example, normal light can make your eyes blue, or a slight smell can give you a headache. Hyposensitivity is the opposite. It is when a person experiences very little or no sensation. This means they don't feel things like heat, cold, or pain in the same way that others do.

What is the connection between hyposensitivity and autism?

These sensory issues are very common among children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They may experience changes in the way they perceive things like sight, smell, sound, touch, taste, balance, body position, and even internal body signals like hunger and illness. Many people with autism have a combination of both hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity to these senses.

For example, some autistic children cannot tolerate bright lights, such as fluorescent lights. At that time, they close their eyes and try to get away from them. This is an example of hypersensitivity.

But a child with hyposensitivity is different. Because they lack sensory input, they are constantly exploring. For example, they are constantly touching things with their hands, running their hands along walls, and putting toys in their mouths. Not only that, they may not be able to understand things like hunger or illness. That's why sometimes they may not tell you when they are sick, because they don't feel the pain.

Although the exact cause of this is not yet known, doctors believe that there may be a genetic influence. Therefore, there is no specific way to prevent this condition. The best we can do is to recognize the symptoms and provide the child with the necessary support and treatment.

What are the main symptoms of hyposensitivity?

We can divide these symptoms into several main categories. Don't panic when you see these. Just because your child has one or two of these doesn't mean they have this condition. But if you see several of these symptoms in a row, it's very important to talk to your doctor about it.

What treatments and help are available for this?

There are many things we can do to help a child or adult with this condition. Rather than trying to "fix" it, it's more important to help them deal with the world more easily.

Things we can do at home:

• Providing visual aids: Using pictures, charts, etc. to explain the day's activities.
• Sensory toys: Provide things like fidget toys, balls with different surfaces.
• Creating a safe environment: Arrange the furniture in the home and provide space for the child to move around freely without tripping or falling.
• Providing opportunities for frequent movement: Instead of being told to stay in one place for a long time, allowing them to get up and walk around or jump around for a while.
• Offering foods with different tastes, smells, and textures: This helps provide the necessary stimulation to their sensory system.
• Using weighted blankets or clothing: The deep pressure these provide can help them calm down a lot.

Occupational therapy:

The best and most widely accepted treatment for this is Sensory Integration Therapy . This is usually done by an occupational therapist, or occupational therapist .

This therapy involves helping the child regulate their sensory system through various activities in a specially designed room (sensory gym). These rooms have a lot of equipment such as trampolines, ball pits, swings, and weighted clothing. As the child plays through these, his brain is trained to recognize sensations correctly.

If you suspect your child has these symptoms, the first thing you should do is consult a qualified doctor. The doctor will refer the child to an occupational therapist if necessary.

Living with Hyposensitivity

Often, a child learns to manage these conditions to some extent as they grow older. The methods and techniques learned in Occupational Therapy will be useful throughout their lives.

Stress can also exacerbate these sensory issues, so it's important for adults, especially older adults, to manage their stress.