A Common Developmental Concern: Sensory
Sensory
Our senses enable us to take in information from the world around including sound, smell, taste and sight. Our body also supplies us with information via touch, vestibular (balance/motion) and proprioception which is body awareness in the space we are in.
Sensory processing is how we interpret and organize this information to use our body effectively within our environment. Every person interprets and organizes each sense differently; each of us have sensory preferences that change over time based on individual experiences, both positive and negative.
Early Intervention Services and Sensory Concerns
It is common for parents and caregivers to reach out to us regarding sensory concerns. Some may have shared their concerns with a pediatrician who recommended our early intervention services.
We offer strategies and therapies to address sensory concerns that include:
Sensory Seeking
Infants and toddlers who are sensory seeking are looking for more sensory input.
Sensory Sensitive
Infants and toddlers who are sensory sensitive may notice and react strongly to everyday sounds, sights, smells, tastes, touches, movement, or body-position experiences.
We have worked with many families and their children to assist with sensory seeking and sensory sensitive children under the age of three years old. We encourage you to reach out to us.
Getting Started is as Easy as 1, 2, 3
Co-regulation vs. Self-Regulation
Infants and young children under the age of three do not yet have the skills to self-regulate their sensory processing. Toddlers are sensory learners so if their body seeks more sensory input or less, they are unable to regulate that input on their own. They need the help of adults and their environment to help them via co-regulation. That is what our early intervention services do, working with parents, families, and caregivers to offer strategies for a supportive process that helps the child.
Sensory seeking and sensory sensitive young children are common. Our experienced and knowledgeable team of specialists who are dedicated to working with infants and toddlers along with their families and caregivers are available to offer support and strategies to help.
EI Services for Sensory Impairment
Our team of trained professionals can observe your child and work closely with you to determine if Early Intervention Services would be helpful. This includes infants and toddlers for which there is an impairment to one or more of their senses including visually impaired or blind or hearing impaired or deaf. Our specialists work with the child and their family to develop communication strategies including signing and speech development.
As a parent or caregiver, you can contact us directly to request a no cost evaluation. A medical referral is not necessary.
Getting Started is as Easy as 1, 2, 3
STEP 1
CONTACT US
for a free evaluation
STEP 2
EVALUATION
An evaluation with our team will be scheduled to determine a child’s eligibility.
STEP 3
Using a holistic, family-centered approach, our team will develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) based on the needs of your child. The process is collaborative, individualized, and reflects the child’s and family’s priorities, learning styles, culture, and community.
Our Approach
At Early Intervention Services, our services start with a free evaluation which is an opportunity for our multi-disciplinary team to meet with you, your child and, where possible and appropriate, with teachers to listen and learn more about the specific concerns. Our team will conduct a broad evaluation of your child in five areas as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The areas include adaptive skills (e.g., self-care skills such as feeding and sleeping), personal/social, communication including expressive and receptive, motor skills including gross and fine motor skills, and finally, play skills.
If your child is found to be eligible for Early Intervention Services, our team will work with your family to develop an individualized family service plan based on your concerns and priorities.
Our family-centered approach uses a coaching model, empowering parents and caregivers with tools and strategies they can use in daily routines. We often start by observing your child and may complete additional screening tools such as a Sensory Profile to better understand their sensory needs. We may also coordinate with childcare providers if appropriate to offer service and support in the child’s natural environment. Notes from each session are provided to parents and caregivers, and our team partners with childcare staff to implement shared strategies to support a coordinated approach.
Our team offers ideas, suggestions, and strategies that can be incorporated into a family’s daily routine, accommodating each family’s values and culture. For example, we meet with families out in the community, such as in parks, playgrounds, or grocery stores to help address real-world sensory triggers and build successful routines.
Our services are flexible and adaptive to each family’s unique situation.
Examples of strategies and ideas:
As our specialists work with families and children who are sensory seekers or sensory sensitive, we are developing a co-regulation process. This includes working with parents, caregivers, family members, and the child to create a supportive process and environment to teach and coach self-regulation skills.
Examples of strategies and ideas may include:
Sensory Sensitive
- Breathing techniques to smell the flower and blow out the candle.
- Using noise cancelling headphones if going to the grocery store or to a loud restaurant.
- Lowering the lights.
- Establishing a calm room or area in the home.
Sensory Seeking
- Create a ‘busy box’ with fidgets, building blocks, or Legos.
- Encourage crawling on their hands and knees for increased sensory input.
- Be my helper; identify physical tasks that the child can help with (e.g., carry a watering can, carrying a small bag of groceries).
- Pulling or pushing tasks such as pulling a wagon with materials or another child to engage their muscles.
Experienced and Dedicated Professionals
Developmental Specialists
Speech/Language Specialists
Occupational Therapists
Music Therapists
Early Intervention Services is fortunate to offer highly-skilled, experienced professionals who can meet with you and your child to learn more about what is going on and provide individualized ideas and suggestions to consider. All our professionals are dedicated and committed to working with young children and their families.
To assist with sensory concerns, our Early Intervention team may include occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, developmental specialists, speech language pathologists, and our music therapist.
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Below are links to additional Early Intervention Services articles and videos related to Behavior.
Impact Stories
Early Intervention Services has been one of the best experiences for my family. My son made incredible progress through his services. He gained confidence in his speech abilities and developed the foundational social skills needed for positive peer interactions. I’m so thankful for the tools and strategies I’ve learned to support his emotional and sensory needs. I’m forever grateful for the guidance and support navigating a challenging time.
-Mother, North Andover, MA
Getting Started is as Easy as 1-2-3
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