We have more than 5 senses!

We have 8 Sensory Systems!! 

Did you know that we have more than 5 sensory systems that we learned in Pre-K? Tactile, visual, olfactory, gustatory/oral, and auditory systems (touch, sight, smell, taste, & hearing) are our “far”/distal systems. They tell us what is going on in the world around us. Vestibular, proprioceptive and interoception (relationship to gravity, where our body is in space, and internal sensations) are “near”/proximal systems. They tell us what is going on in our own bodies. In order to determine what type of sensory tools and interventions are necessary for each student, we must study each of the student’s 8 sensory systems. Your students may have an over responsive system and/or an under responsive system (which can be sensory seekers or passively underresponsive). These can be different in each sensory area! For example, most children with autism spectrum disorder have over responsive “far” sensory systems and under responsive “near” sensory systems (typically sensory seekers).  When creating a plan to increase attention, decrease behaviors, make a sensory diet, make a specific plan for utilizing a sensory room, etc, remember to look at all 8 senses!