The Family Ecosystem and its Influence On Sensory Sensitivity
Sensory integration and sensory processing disorders are commonly addressed in occupational therapy. Sensory disorders can vary from over-responsive, under-responsive, or sensory seeking. This can lead to trouble with motor skills and coordination, behaviors, and relationships, and overall prevent the child from being able to participate in their lives actively.
Since these issues affect the daily occupations of the child, the occupational therapist needs to be able to address and modify the behaviors and be aware of other possible situations and causes of the child’s sensitivities. This research summary aims to understand how home life may affect a child’s experience and coping behaviors, as well as a connection to how a parent may struggle with sensory sensitivities as well.
The Family Ecosystem and Structuring the Living Environment
The family ecosystem simply refers to a child’s home environment. A recent study has found that there is a relation between the family ecosystem and how it shapes sensory sensitivities in children. Similarly, if a child is experiencing sensory sensitivities, it is likely that one of the parents also has sensory challenges, which can be due to genetic and environmental factors1 This can hugely impact family life as the parent is trying to balance both their own and their child’s sensitivities in daily life.
If a parent structures their environment to avoid sensory stimuli that impact them, the child may not be exposed to them and thus be more sensitive to them. This then does not allow them to form healthy coping strategies for sensations that are initially uncomfortable but manageable. If a child has a genetic predisposition to having sensory integration problems, this environment makes the problems much more likely to develop further.
Implications on Practice
A recommendation from the study is to take a family-centered approach, which requires acknowledging how the child’s development is shaped by home life and the environment provided by their family.1 This is a practice that does not have to occur exclusively when sensory integration is being addressed. It is something that can be applied across a wide array of disciplines, including OT, PT, and Speech therapy, as the home environment plays a big role in how the child learns to express themselves and handle difficult situations.
In this case, if a child is presenting with sensory modulation disorder, it is helpful to evaluate the parent’s sensory and see how the environment is shaping some of the child’s sensory behaviors. This provides the opportunity for parent education which allows the treatment to extend past the clinic or therapist care and can be integrated into the home, creating strategies that benefit both parents and child.
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1. Gafni-Lachter et al., 438.
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Gafni-Lachter, Liat, Joanna Kailkian, Vered Korngold-Dvir, Gil Dahan, and Ayelet Ben-Sasson. “The Association between Sensory Traits and Daily Parenting Challenges of Typical Mothers and Their Children.” British Journal of Occupational Therapy 85, no. 6 (June 2022): 438–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226211031800.