Consider the body’s impact on behavior. A mom I know used to struggle with her toddler who refused to eat meat. She thought he was being picky, only to find out a few years later that he had enlarged tonsils and that it caused him physical pain to swallow certain foods. This example always stayed with me as a reminder not to immediately assume an emotional/behavioral problem when faced with negative interactions with a child. We are made body and soul by our Creator and they are intricately connected, one affecting the other. But we often forget the impact of the body on our behavior and emotions and tend to see difficult behavior as acting out or defiance when sometimes it may arise from a bodily need or limitation.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder? One such bodily challenge is sensory processing disorder, a common, but frequently misdiagnosed problem, in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Research shows that sensory issues affect 5-16 percent of the general population, but far too many children with sensory symptoms are misdiagnosed and/or improperly treated.

Sensory issues are often missed and misinterpreted. Fidgety children are often viewed as disruptive and are disciplined at school, given consequences such as losing recess. Yet some children's fidgeting may be due to a sensory issue. Running around is what they most need before they can focus. Another example would be a physically rough kid that is seen as aggressive. That child might actually be hyposensitive to touch. On the other hand, there are kids who are hypersensitive to touch, light, and sound that stubbornly refuse situations or have meltdowns when there’s too much stimulation. When these behaviors are misinterpreted and mistreated, it can lead to a host of negative secondary effects such as relational difficulties, anxiety, depression, underachievement, and social isolation.

As caregivers who work with children and parents, we should keep an eye out for possible physiological and developmental challenges that may be contributing to a complex set of negative behaviors. The good news is that many of these sensory processing issues can be greatly improved working with an occupational therapist, and kids’ challenging reactions decrease once one knows how best to support their bodily needs.

Become educated about possible signs of sensory processing dysfunction. With Mother’s Day and the National Children’s Mental Health Awareness week in May, we are highlighting a tool, the Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist, designed to help parents and professionals who interact with children become educated about particular signs of sensory processing dysfunction. If you suspect that a child’s pattern of behavior seems to indicate possible sensory issues, you can refer to it to get started. If a child meets a lot of the criteria, you should recommend a proper evaluation and diagnosis