Sensory Modulation Disorder.

The child experiences difficulty processing sensory information into appropriate behaviours/responses which match the intensity of the sensory information (Miller, 2006).

There are 3 types of SMD:

1. Sensory Over-Responsivity (sensory defensiveness) This is where children respond more intensely & faster for longer durations e.g. becoming really upset when touched by another child standing in line (Miller, 2006).
2. Sensory Under-Responsivity – These children show less of a response to sensory input than would be expected for the situation, they take longer to respond and require more intense input before they even respond e.g. having a high pain threshold (Miller, 2006).
3. Sensory Seeking – These children have a intense craving for sensory experiences and will actively seek this out, often in ways that aren’t matched or appropriate to the environment e.g. running around during group time (Miller, 2006).

Sensory Under-Responsivity

This is where the child has trouble controlling, planning and supporting their movements into a smooth, coordinated and sequence way.

There are 2 types of SBMD:

1. Dyspraxia – These children have difficult processing sensory information to create physical, unfamiliar or sequenced movements e.g. difficulty riding a bike (Miller, 2006)
2. Postural Disorder – These children have difficulty maintaining enough control of their bodies to meet the demands of a given motor task e.g. difficulty remaining in an upright sitting position for writing tasks (Miller, 2006)

Sensory Seeking

This is where the child experiences difficulty distinguishing between similar sensations. They need additional time to process sensory information and their capacity to perceive the information as quickly and naturally as other children do is reduced. For example they may unable to up their buttons or find their pencil in their pencil case without looking (Miller, 2006)