SOME OF THE MOST COMMON SENSORY WORDS AND DEFINITIONS

WRITTEN BY: ANGIE VOSS, OTR

The three most common sensory systems affected with sensory processing disorder
are vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile. These three are also referred to as the power sensations and
will be the primary focus of sensory based intervention as well as with a successful sensory home
program.

TACTILE
The tactile system involves the entire skin network including in the mouth, where tactile nerve endings
are present in the cheek linings. Tactile input includes light touch, firm touch, and the discrimination of
different textures including dry to wet and messy. The tactile system is also responsible for the
processing of pain and temperature. Tactile input can be alerting, calming, or over-stimulating,
depending on the person. Each form of tactile input is processed differently as well.

PROPRIOCEPTION
Proprioception is often referred to as heavy/hard work in the therapy world. Proprioceptive receptors
are located in the joints, muscles, and tendons ALL OVER the body, including the jaw and vertebrae.
These receptors are activated by elongation, compression, or traction. Therefore, during heavy/hard
work activities the core of the body and extremities recruit a large number of muscles. When the muscle
bellies contract, the proprioceptors of the joints are triggered. Weight bearing on joints also triggers the
proprioceptive receptors. The interoceptors are also a part of the proprioceptive system. They are
located within the gut and internal organs. The interoceptors are responsible for the feeling of hunger
or lack of hunger as well as the need to go to the restroom, and other internal organ sensations.

VESTIBULAR INPUT
When you think vestibular...think movement and balance. The vestibules are located in the inner ear
and detect motion. There are 3 canals which detect all different planes of movement. Movement is
crucial to development, not only perhaps the more obvious which is gross motor development and
posture, but it also plays a role in visual development, auditory processing, and overall self-regulation of
the nervous system. Vestibular input is extremely powerful and can be alerting or calming to the
nervous system. Vestibular development begins way before a baby is born and while in utero the
vestibular system is activated. Fifteen minutes of vestibular input can have a 6-8 hour positive (or
negative) effect on the brain, depending on the person.

http://asensorylife.com/sensory-definitions.html
Sensory Defensiveness/Sensory Avoiding or Sensory Over-Registration
I have grouped these terms together to simplify its understanding. When the nervous system over-
responds or over-registers sensory input , one will avoid and defend to protect the brain/body from
painful and uncomfortable sensations. Basically the nervous system is "on guard" at all times to keep
safe. Sensory defensiveness and over-registration is explained by an exaggerated avoidance to specific
sensations. It is an unexplained or unpredictable reaction to a situation or sensory stimuli. This often
results in a fight or flight, sympathetic nervous system response, and sensory overload. Over-
registrationis when the brain is taking note of too many incoming sensory messages from one or more
of the sensory systems and deeming important and relevant. Typically, the brain sorts out the irrelevant
sensory input...as this is happening on a constant basis for our brains. For example, as I am typing this,
my brain is focused on my work and the thought process, and has ignored the sound of the keyboard,
the feeling of the seams in my socks, the light coming through the window, and the smell of my coffee.

Sensory Under-Registration/ Sensory Seeking/Craving

I have grouped these terms together to simplify its understanding as well. And these definitions are
basically the opposite of the section above. Sometimes the brain under-registers information and the
message either gets lost on the way to the brain or the pathways are not efficient in processing the
information. The hub/computer of the brain which processes the sensory input (the reticular
activation system) is not able to properly pass on the sensory message, therefore creating an always
hungry for sensory input type behavior. These are the children that just can not get enough
movement, touch, pressure, jumping, etc. and crave it on a constant basis. This can also present as the
inability to "feel" pain or detect temperature as well as not getting dizzy when they spin. This under-
registration of information can occur with one sensory pathway or more than one. When the brain is
constantly hungry for sensory information, it has a very difficult time with self-regulation and
maintaining ready state.

Sensory Modulation Difficulty

This is extremely common for those with sensory differences. Please visit this page for more
information and details on sensory modulation. One example of sensory modulation difficulty is that
the child will fluctuate from "ready state" to "not ready" in the blink of an eye. "Not ready" may present
as a sensory meltdown, sensory overload, extreme fatigue, or over the top excitability along with many
other presentations.