14/06/2026
Some of my notes from a sensory processing PD I attended recently (Dyspraxia/DCD focus) by
It’s make me rethink some things I thought I already knew:
1️⃣ Some children can actually hear better when they’re chewing.
The movement of chewing can influence the tympanic membrane and help the brain distinguish important sounds from background noise. I’m now wondering about those kids who suddenly started chewing their shirt when their classroom was noisy, or said they *needed* a crunchy snack to listen.
2️⃣ The jaw and ankles are packed with proprioceptive receptors.
This is why we see children seeking input through chewing, sucking, biting, jumping and running. Their bodies are gathering information in the most efficient way that makes sense to their body.
3️⃣ Repetition literally changes the brain.
Repeated sensory and motor experiences strengthen and myelinate neural pathways, helping the brain process information more efficiently over time.
4️⃣ Positive experiences matter.
Integration is best supported when children feel safe enough to try, fail, adjust and try again. Learning happens through successful engagement, not constant overwhelm.
5️⃣ A child’s body map grows through movement variety.
The more different ways a child moves, the more accurate their internal map of their body becomes. More movement experiences = more motor memories for the brain to draw upon.
6️⃣ A regulated nervous system can integrate.
So simple but SO important. Before we think about learning, skill development or participation, we need to consider whether the nervous system is actually available for learning.
7️⃣ Sensory exposure isn’t the same as sensory integration.
It’s good to have words to what I already knew from experience - simply exposing a child to difficult sensory experiences tends to teach masking (or just trauma) rather than genuine adaptation. We can’t desensitise the nervous system’s safety response. Instead, we support regulation and provide meaningful sensory experiences that help expand a child’s window of tolerance over time. I also like to help educate so children can choose to avoid, reduce, compensat
