49. “It’s Not Sensory" Through a Sensory Emotional Lens

Today, we’re tackling a phrase many parents and professionals hear — “This child is not sensory.” As awareness of sensory processing grows, more families and caregivers are trying sensory strategies to help children with regulation and participation. But when these strategies don't work as expected, it's often too quickly concluded that the child doesn’t have sensory needs.

The truth? Sensory processing is complex, highly individualized, and often misunderstood. We’ll explore why general sensory strategies might not always work — not because the child isn’t “sensory” — but because the strategy wasn’t the right fit for their unique sensory profile.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why and when generalized sensory strategies can fall short

• The hidden sensory profiles that don’t benefit from standard sensory breaks

• Why sensory support isn’t just about adding or removing input

• A new set of strategies to address dysregulation when sensory breaks and sensory input does not work 

• Why similar behaviors can have different sensory-based meanings and how understanding the meaning can support effective strategies for the behavior

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About

Michele Parkins MS, OTR/L IMH-E®

Founder & Director, Great Kids Place 

Founder, Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™

Michele is an Occupational Therapist endorsed as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. She specializes in working with children and families with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders and challenges in social-emotional development. She is also a parent of two sensory kids. She works and lives sensational kids! Michele is a fellow of Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, OTR.

 

Michele is passionate about working with families and other therapists and continues to do so as a clinician and educator. She educates therapists from all over the country and world and continues to provide consultation to schools on treatment for sensory processing disorder. Michele has co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the textbook for sensory evaluation and treatment, alongside world-renowned pioneers in the field, and is currently writing a parenting book and children’s books.  She hopes to help everyone - children and adults- understand their Sensory Emotional Personality™ style and ways to find strength and joy within them.