Sensory, Executive Functioning, and Autism Spectrum Training

We live in a world that is overstimulated, hypervigilant, and distracted. Children, especially, cannot keep up with what is expected. In general, children have too many demands to process. Adults generally are not paying attention to children because they are distracted or preoccupied with their stuff. Adults often expect children to process what they are incapable of processing.

Existence is about our senses and how they function. This relates to sensory learning issues. Sensory learning issues include Executive Functioning, where all functioning issues start. This refers to planning, organizing, strategizing, memory, goal setting, cooperation, and self-regulation.

The most powerful human sensory ability is vision. Experts estimate half of the brain’s resources are used on vision. After vision is hearing, smell, touch, taste, and balance. Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense movement and action and its location in space. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is responsible for providing the brain with information about head position and motion in relation to gravity.

Improved brain functioning and focus are done by physically touching something like a rock or having a Brain Table to fidget on. Examples include legos, magnets, puzzles, coloring, and a sand tray. Rhythmic motor activity is also a healer. Activities could be running, hiking, walking, swimming, bouncing a ball, ring toss, or playing catch.

When you listen to and observe, the child will tell you what they need. Engage the need and respond appropriately. Always find the good and complement the effort. Impulsively reacting and giving one-liner answers will not work. Children need your time and attention. Your responsibility is to create an environment conducive to growth.

Each brain hemisphere has different and complementary functions constantly desiring to communicate. In understanding the brain, one side is creative, spontaneous, and engaging, and the other is the stuck, survival side. So processing sensory learning as described above is the only way to improve functioning.

Dr. Robert Melillo, in his book “Disconnected Kid,” regarding neurological disorders, gives these points about children with Functional Disconnected Syndrome:

They feel different and are overwhelmed by their senses. Senses drive stimulation to the brain through the body.

Children who don’t play much or rarely get touched in a healthy way have a brain up to 30% smaller than usual. They have learning and behavioral dysfunction because their brains are out of sync.

Where do you start? An excellent start is cardio exercise, improved nutrition, sleep, and rest. Healthy people have routines and intensity of stimulation. Sensory, executive functioning, autism, brain trauma, attachment, and disconnected children and adults, can all be improved by focusing on specific tasks. At Bridge of Hope, we use play therapy, tapping, grounding techniques, and EMDR related to need. We find root issues and train the parent/guardian on self-regulation. We do a client’s personality profile, homework, and trauma work. We provide training to help improve daily functioning for each individual’s needs regardless of age.

Jeannie Cieminski, Sensory Learning Specialist

From Dr. Fabing: Jeannie Cieminski shows compassion, intention, and engaging efforts toward her clients. Parental involvement helps the child process in their home environment.