Sensory information processing, also called stimulus processing, ensures that stimuli coming in via our sensors (senses) are processed correctly by our brains. Smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch are senses that we are all familiar with. There are also senses that we may not know as well, such as our sense of balance.
All these senses make sure every day that we can react well to all the stimuli in our environment. How much you react to these stimuli determines whether you have good or bad stimulus processing:
Good stimulus processing
Good stimulus processing is very important for a child to be able to learn, play and for overall daily functioning. With good stimulus processing:
- for example, do you go to the toilet when you feel like you have a full bladder;
- do you ignore the radio in the background while reading something.
How do you recognize problems with sensory information processing?
Of course, it is not obvious that everyone has good sensory information processing.
Poor stimulus processing
Poor stimulus processing means that a child is hypersensitive or undersensitive to stimuli. A normal stimulus can then trigger a defensive reaction in a child. A child can then react very aggressively or emotionally to a stimulus that you would not normally even notice. A child who is hyposensitive to stimuli hardly reacts to his surroundings.
Examples of hypersensitivity to stimuli
Crying often
Slightly upset
Easily distracted
Feels easily threatened
Often quarrels and fights
Examples of hyposensitivity to stimuli Not interested
Take some initiative
No friends
Clumsy Often tired