By Amy Harrup (practice owner and therapist)
I was first exposed to sensory integration and processing difficulties when I started studying Occupational Therapy. I recall sitting in a PBL (problem based learning) session, and thinking "wow, all these issues they are listing is what I experience!" This was eye-opening for me - I suddenly realised that my preferences and dislikes were not to do with my personality or "being difficult" (as I was led to believe my whole life), but rather the way that my brain was wired and had been developed.
However, it was not until a few years later, that I realised there was something that could be done (as an adult) to assist me with processing the sensory-rich world around me. Up until this point, I thought I had missed the boat for intervention as a child, and just had to deal with the struggles I experienced daily. I then came across sensory intelligence for adults, and was able to cultivate a routine and structure to my day and week to assist myself with coping and reducing anxiety on a daily basis. It has not been without its struggles since then, but every single one of those struggles has led me to learn more about myself and how I can adapt and change my environment to suit my own needs.
As occupational therapists, one of our aims is to assist children to learn how to regulate their sensory systems. Sometimes we forget that children end up being adults with those same sensory needs. Over the last few years, my aim has been to help children for the needs they have now, as well as guide them to know how to deal with their sensory needs in years to come. And through this, I have been able to help many adolescents and adults learn these same skills that have helped me so much as well.
Understanding our needs helps us understand how and why we interact with the world and people around us. It can help us become more productive, peaceful and happy.
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