Explore Home Therapy Packs
Understanding Sensory Processing Issues or Disorder Sensory Processing Disorder can affect how children respond to sensory information from their environment. Our guides provide practical strategies to support sensory integration. To further enhance your approach, consider our Home Therapy Packs, designed to promote sensory exploration and integration at home.
Explore Home Therapy Packs

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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
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Description
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition in which the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Children with SPD may be overly sensitive to sensory input, under-responsive, or have difficulty integrating sensory information.

Identifying Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
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Over-Responsiveness (Hypersensitivity)
Sensitivity to Touch: Discomfort with certain textures, fabrics, or physical contact. May avoid hugs or certain types of clothing.
Sensitivity to Sounds: Overwhelmed by loud noises or specific sounds, such as vacuum cleaners or alarms.
Visual Sensitivity: Distress from bright lights or busy visual environments.
Taste and Smell Sensitivity: Strong aversions to certain foods based on taste or smell.

Under-Responsiveness (Hyposensitivity)
High Pain Tolerance: Unusual tolerance to pain or temperature extremes.
Craving Intense Sensory Input: Seeking out intense sensory experiences, such as spinning, jumping, or crashing into objects.
Low Awareness of Body Position: Difficulty knowing where their body is in space, leading to clumsiness or difficulty with coordination.

​Sensory Integration Challenges
Difficulty with Motor Skills: Challenges with both fine and gross motor tasks, such as writing, cutting, or sports.
Trouble with Daily Activities: Difficulty with everyday tasks such as dressing, feeding, or grooming due to sensory preferences or aversions.
Emotional and Behavioural Responses: Frequent meltdowns or anxiety due to sensory overload or under-stimulation

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Support Strategies for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Creating Sensory-Friendly Environments
Sensory Diet: Develop a personalised sensory diet with activities that provide the right amount of sensory input the child needs throughout the day.
Adapted Environments: Modify environments to reduce sensory overload, such as using noise-cancelling headphones or adjusting lighting.
Sensory Breaks: Schedule regular sensory breaks throughout the day to help the child self-regulate.

Enhancing Sensory Integration
Occupational Therapy: Engage in occupational therapy sessions focused on sensory integration techniques.
Sensory Play: Incorporate sensory play activities such as playing with sand, water, or textured materials.
Proprioceptive Activities: Include activities that provide deep pressure and proprioceptive input, such as heavy work tasks, weighted blankets, or body squeezes.

Supporting Daily Activities
Structured Routines: Establish predictable and structured routines to help the child feel more secure and in control.
Visual Supports: Use visual schedules and social stories to prepare the child for daily activities and transitions.
Adaptive Tools: Provide adaptive tools, such as weighted utensils or sensory-friendly clothing, to assist with self-care tasks.

​Promoting Positive Behaviour
Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding behaviours.
Behavioural Plans: Develop individualised behaviour plans that include sensory strategies to prevent and manage meltdowns.
Calm Down Techniques: Teach and practice calm down techniques, such as deep breathing, to help the child manage sensory overload.

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Steps to Get a Diagnosis for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

1.Observing Signs and Symptoms:
Parents and caregivers should keep a detailed record of their child's sensory preferences, aversions, and responses, including any challenges with daily activities and behaviours.
2.Consulting with a Paediatrician:
Schedule an appointment with the child's paediatrician to discuss concerns. The paediatrician will conduct an initial evaluation and may use screening tools to assess for SPD.
3.Referral to an Occupational Therapist:
If the paediatrician suspects SPD, they will refer the child to a paediatric occupational therapist with expertise in sensory integration for a comprehensive evaluation.
4.Comprehensive Evaluation:
The occupational therapist will conduct a detailed assessment, which may include:

• Developmental history and parental interviews.
• Observations of the child's sensory responses in various environments.
• Standardised tests and diagnostic tools (e.g., Sensory Processing Measure or Sensory Profile).

5.Diagnosis and Recommendations:
Based on the evaluation, the occupational therapist will provide a diagnosis and recommendations for intervention and support. This may include:

• Sensory integration therapy.
• Sensory diet plans.
• Environmental modifications.

6.Developing an Intervention Plan:
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to create a comprehensive intervention plan tailored to the child's sensory needs. This plan should address sensory processing, self-regulation, and daily activities.
7.Ongoing Monitoring and Support:
Regularly review and adjust the intervention plan as the child progresses. Ensure ongoing communication and collaboration between parents, healthcare providers, and educators to provide consistent support.

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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) FAQs
Q: What is Sensory Processing Disorder? 
A: SPD is a condition where the brain has difficulty receiving and responding to information from the senses. Children with SPD may be over or under-sensitive to sensory stimuli, impacting their daily functioning.
Q: How can Occupational Therapy help with SPD? 
A: OT can provide sensory integration therapy to help children process sensory information more effectively. Therapists create individualised sensory diets and strategies to manage sensory sensitivities and improve daily functioning.
Q: What are common signs of SPD? 
A: Signs include sensitivity to textures, sounds, or lights, difficulty with fine motor tasks, avoiding certain activities, and having meltdowns in response to sensory overload.

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Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3634 or send us a message

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​Referrals to Belong Health
We are Medicare and Private Health fund registered for Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.

EPC/Team care arrangements/Chronic disease (CDM) or GP management plans and self-referrals are all acceptable.

WA NDIS Registered Provider  

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Medicare
You can get a referral from your/your child’s GP for OT on a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan this gives you 5 sessions for OT per calendar year with a $53 rebate available on each session or a Helping Children with Autism/PDD/ or an eligible disability package (20 sessions between allied health professionals, as set up by a Paediatrician/Psychiatrist) which gives your child under 16 years a $75 rebate per session for the 20 sessions, you can use up to 10 sessions per Health Professional (up to 10 for OT) and you will need a separate referral letter from your child’s Paediatrician for each Allied Health Professional you are seeking services from. 

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Private Health
Your Private Health fund may cover up to 75% of the cost of OT sessions if this is included in your cover, be sure to call them or check your policy for details.

No referral or self referral
You do not require a referral for accessing OT

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NDIS Registered Provider
We are an NDIS Registered Provider
Whether you or your child have NDIS funding that is NDIS Managed, Third Party Plan Managed or you are Self-Managing your funds, you are able to use your funding to cover the full cost of therapy services plus travel costs. You will need provide us with your/your child’s NDIS number and plan details ahead of your first session. Once you have booked a session or contacted us, our team will be in touch to discuss our service agreement and provide you with our services price list. 

13 Littleton st, Falcon

Phone: 08 9586 3934

EMAIL US

OFFICE HOURS:         MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30am - 4:30pm

BELONG HEALTH'S Paediatric Occupational Therapy SERVICES FOR Perth region

A: Alexander Heights, Alfred Cove, Applecross, Applecross North, Ardross, Armadale, Ascot, Ashby, Ashfield, Attadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Aveley
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
D: Daglish, Dalkeith, Darch, Darlington, Dayton, Dianella, Dog Swamp, Doubleview, Duncraig
E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
F: Ferndale, Floreat, Forrestdale, Forrestfield, Fremantle
G: Gidgegannup, Girrawheen, Glen Forrest, Glendalough, Glengarry, Gnangara, Gosnells, Greenmount, Greenwood, Guildford, Gwelup
H: Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Hammond Park, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hazelmere, Heathridge, Helena Valley, Henderson, Henley Brook, Herdsman, Herne Hill, High Wycombe, Highgate, Hilbert, Hillarys, Hilton, Hocking, Hovea, Huntingdale
I: Iluka, Inglewood, Innaloo, Jandabup, Jandakot, Jane Brook, Jindalee, Jolimont, Joondalup, Joondanna
K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
M: Maddington, Madeley, Mahogany Creek, Maida Vale, Malaga, Manning, Marangaroo, Mariginiup, Marmion, Martin, Maylands, Melaleuca, Melville, Menora, Merriwa, Middle Swan, Midland, Midvale, Millendon, Mindarie, Mirrabooka, Morangup, Morley, Mosman Park, Mount Claremont, Mount Hawthorn, Mount Lawley, Mount Nasura, Mount Pleasant, Mount Richon, Mullaloo, Munster, Murdoch, Myaree
N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine​