Understanding Sensory Registration and Sensory Regulation - an OT perspective

In our previous blog post, we explored the concept of sensory modulation, which pertains to the brain's capacity to regulate and adapt reactions to sensory stimuli in the environment. This mechanism enables individuals to filter and prioritize sensory information, helping them concentrate on pertinent stimuli while ignoring or reducing the impact of irrelevant or overwhelming ones. Sensory modulation is essential for maintaining suitable arousal levels and emotional regulation.

In this blog post, we will explore two fundamental aspects of sensory processing: sensory registration and sensory regulation. These processes play crucial roles in how we perceive and respond to the world around us.

THE 4 PATTERNS OF SENSORY PROCESSING

There are four patterns of sensory processing. The first two fall into the category of low registration. Someone with low registration is under-responsive to sensory stimuli. These two patterns include low registration and sensory seeking.

Someone with low registration may seem to not register stimuli at all or underreact to the level of stimuli presented, such as hearing a loud bang and not flinching or walking into a wall and not reacting. A sensory seeker also has a low register of sensory stimuli but instead of not reacting, they are purposefully seeking out extra sensory input to register the feeling of it.

Examples of this include individuals who seek movement through rocking or enjoys loud music.

The second two patterns of sensory processing are individuals who fall into the category of high-registration. Someone with high registration feels sensory stimuli more intensely and reacts more intensely as a result. These two patterns include being sensory avoidant and sensory sensitive.

Someone avoidant feels overwhelmed by sensory information and may react by avoiding sensory stimuli.

For example, a child hears a loud noise and reacts by covering their ears. An individual who is sensory-sensitive feels sensory stimuli more intensely but does not go out of their way to avoid it. They may startle easily or have difficulty paying attention when there is background noise.

Refer to the graphic below to visualize the 4 patterns of Sensory Processing.

For More Information

To access further details and explore resources concerning speech, language, and hearing concerns, contact us, Elevate Health & Therapeutic Services, at (856) 492-1355 to arrange an advisory session or email us at info@elevatehealthnj.com to schedule a discovery call or evaluation. 

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