Let’s talk about those sensory systems!

Did you know we actually have 5 sensory systems?

This past summer I was lucky enough to have an Occupational Therapy Student, Priyanka John, join me. One of her projects was to put together a presentation on the senses. It reminded me that every day we have to actual function with the amount of sensory information entering our bodies.

So imagine this you have eight sensory systems working ALL THE TIME! Yes, 8!!!

We have five classic senses: tactile (touch), visual (sight), auditory (hearing), gustatory (taste), and olfactory (smell) senses.

And yes, three “hidden” sensory systems: vestibular (balance/movement), proprioceptive (joint and muscle sensations), interoceptive (internal sensations).

Now for my dramatization on the sensory systems:

So there you are walking down the street and its snowing or raining (depending on where you live). Your body needs to interpret every thing so you can cross a very busy street. You have to see where your going (lets say its a blizzard or torrential down pour), listen for the traffic, smell the air, cars or a random whiff of a restaurant and your taste buds are acting up because your hungry, your hands are freezing (no gloves on) and the snow or rain is touching your body that is not covered, your body movement and proprioceptive systems have to interpret the ground underneath you to keep you from slipping and falling AND your heart is racing (interoceptive system) because you are late for where ever you were going.

THAT my friend is pretty much how individuals with sensory overload feel ALL THE TIME!

So the next time you see a kiddo freaking out or an adult aggravated, anxious or frustrated, remember they too could be in sensory overload.

HELP THEM OUT! Don’t judge, take three (audible) deep breaths, put a firm but gently hand on their shoulder or give them a smile. And remember - We are all humans with massive sensory systems!!!