Your Cart is Empty
Today’s episode we’re answering a listener's question about how sensory processing challenges affect learning and higher-level cognitive skills.
We dive into the connection between vestibular processing and cross or mixed dominance.
We talk about research that has been done in this area as well as what it all means.
Then we jump into strategies that we would recommend for this family, including vestibular-based activities, bilateral integration activities, looking into primitive reflexes, and more!
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form ->https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
When Should Children Establish Hand Dominance?
5 Bilateral Integration Activities
Multi-Sensory Processing Activity Course
Crawling for Brain Development
As awareness of sensory processing issues grows, parents and educators explore how these challenges impact children's learning. Recently, a parent from Switzerland asked about her eight-year-old daughter's struggles with sensory processing, slow processing speed, and cross-dominance.
The parent mentioned that in Switzerland, to receive a diagnosis of sensory processing disorder (SPD), the child must have an autism diagnosis. While her daughter doesn't have an autism diagnosis, therefore, no SPD diagnosis, it's clear that sensory and processing issues are affecting her learning.
Sensory processing refers to the brain's ability to receive, organize, and respond to sensory input from the environment, such as sounds, sights, and physical sensations. Children with sensory processing difficulties might not interpret sensory input in a typical way, leading to difficulty focusing, staying calm, and engaging in learning tasks.
The Pyramid of Learning framework explains how foundational sensory and motor development supports higher-level cognitive skills, such as attention, problem-solving, and memory. Primitive reflex integration, sensory development, and motor coordination are at the pyramid's base.
These foundational systems must be well-developed for the brain to efficiently engage in complex academic tasks. When the base has weaknesses, such as unintegrated primitive reflexes or sensory modulation challenges, the skills at the top—like reading, writing, and problem-solving—are more challenging to develop.
Imagine a child constantly distracted by the feel of their clothes, the brightness of the classroom lights, or the noises around them. If their brain works overtime to manage these sensory inputs, it has less energy to focus on academic tasks.
Traditional classrooms, often filled with bright lights, loud noises, and bustling activity, can easily overwhelm a child with sensory sensitivities. They may have difficulty focusing on lessons, staying calm, or engaging with their peers, as their brains are constantly working to filter and process the sensory input around them.
A sensory-friendly classroom typically includes a variety of modifications designed to reduce overstimulation and create a space where children feel safe and comfortable. These adjustments can include:
Environments that meet each child’s unique sensory profile promote better focus, emotional regulation, and engagement with learning activities and peers.
In addition to sensory processing difficulties, the parent mentioned her daughter’s cross-dominance, in which a person doesn’t have a clear dominant hand, foot, or eye. For example, a child might write with their right hand but throw with their left, or they may struggle to use one hand consistently for tasks.
Cross-dominance can affect brain efficiency because one side of the brain typically becomes dominant for motor activities. When this doesn’t happen, tasks like writing, reading, and physical coordination may be more complex, and you might tire quickly when writing or struggle with sports that require consistent hand-eye coordination.
One possible cause of cross-dominance is the retention of primitive reflexes, such as the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR), which is crucial in early development. This reflex should naturally integrate as a child grows, but if it remains active, it can lead to motor coordination, focus, and learning challenges.
Children with slow processing speed often take longer to understand and respond to information than their peers. This isn’t due to a lack of intelligence but rather the brain’s difficulty processing sensory input or performing tasks efficiently.
When a child has sensory processing difficulties and cross-dominance, their brain might work harder to complete tasks, slowing down their overall processing speed. Additionally, vestibular challenges, such as vestibular discrimination issues (which affect balance and movement perception), may contribute to slower processing.
A child with vestibular difficulties may have trouble interpreting their body’s position in space, further complicating tasks that require spatial awareness and coordination. Eventually, this may lead to avoidance of such activities.
The good news is that many strategies and interventions can help children like this parent’s daughter thrive in their learning environment. By addressing sensory processing difficulties and improving motor coordination, we can help build the foundation needed for academic success.
Determining what will work for your child or student can often take trial and error. So, here are some effective strategies to get started:
Occupational therapy is an excellent way to support children with sensory and motor challenges. An occupational therapist experienced in SPD and reflex integration can help children strengthen the base of their Pyramid of Learning. They may use activities targeting vestibular input, postural control, and crossing the midline—which are essential for improving motor coordination.
Bilateral integration activities, which engage both sides of the body, can enhance communication between the brain’s hemispheres. Simple exercises like cross crawls, tracing infinity loops, and balancing on one foot can help children improve their ability to coordinate movements and process information more efficiently.
Primitive Reflex Integration
Retained primitive reflexes like ATNR can hinder motor development and learning. Children can integrate these reflexes by working with an occupational therapist, improving motor coordination and cognitive functioning. Reflex integration exercises can be simple but highly effective over time.
Using a metronome to practice timing and rhythm helps children improve auditory processing and internal timing. Activities like clapping to a beat or marching in rhythm can enhance their ability to stay organized, follow instructions, and improve processing speed.
Cross-dominance can also affect a child’s ocular motor skills, which are essential for tasks like reading and writing. Vision therapy, which focuses on improving eye movement and coordination, can help children strengthen their visual processing skills and academic performance.
Therapeutic listening programs target auditory processing by retraining the brain to respond more efficiently to sound. These programs can be helpful even for children without a formal auditory processing disorder, supporting overall brain function and processing speed.
Consulting a functional medicine practitioner to rule out nutritional deficiencies or underlying medical issues can offer more profound insight into the child’s needs. Sensory, motor, and cognitive systems are interconnected, and addressing the whole child ensures a more comprehensive approach to their development.
Understanding the connection between sensory processing disorder, cross-dominance, and slow processing speed is critical for parents and educators navigating sensory processing challenges. These factors can significantly impact a child’s ability to learn and engage with their environment.
However, children facing these challenges can flourish with targeted interventions and a supportive learning environment. Parents and educators can help children overcome these obstacles by focusing on strategies that address the child’s sensory needs, promoting motor coordination through bilateral integration, and allowing extra time for processing.
Fostering a supportive, patient community will empower these children to realize their full potential. With the proper support and interventions, every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed in their unique learning journey.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
