Sensory Processing Disorder and Sleep: Building a Bedtime Routine
The quality of our sleep impacts every aspect of life, including the goals met in therapy. Occupational therapists are uniquely equipped to help parents and kids to identify and address their sleep health (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020). Sleep is a daily occupation that everyone participates in, some of us better than others. When sleep is disrupted, it can negatively impact how we perform in other areas of our lives. This should be a red flag for occupational therapists and parents alike that the issue lies deeper.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory processing disorder (also known as sensory modulation disorder, sensory integration disorder, or just sensory processing issues, SPD) at the most basic level refers to how the brain receives and responds to information that comes through each of our 8 senses (Brennan, 2023). Individuals who may be experiencing sensory struggles may involve oversensitivity, under sensitivity, or a mixture of the two. Oversensitivity in kids looks like avoidance, avoiding food, places, or experiences that may be overwhelming. Under sensitivity however, looks like sensory seeking, looking for increased stimulation to feel balanced. Some kids may go back and forth between seeking and avoiding which may make it difficult to identify the problem and helping them is an extra challenge. Research has shown that sensory processing factors influence sleep performance in all children, whether typically or not typically developing (Foitzik & Brown, 2017). Sleep disturbances and sensory processing disorder go hand-in-hand. To learn more about the 8 sensory systems, check out some of our past blogs that go a bit more in depth!
How to Recognize SPD
Learning to recognize sensory behaviors may be the first step in helping your child learn how to cope and problem solve with their sensitivities. Listed below are a few common examples of sensitivities that may occur around bedtime and their solutions (Bryson, 2016);
Preparing Your Child’s Routine and Bedroom
As each child is different, their sleep routine and personal preferences differ as well, here are a few things that can be implemented regularly to create a bedtime routine. (Bryson, 2016)
Eat dinner early, about 2 1/2 hours before bedtime to allow for digestion.
Play hard for about 45 minutes before starting the quiet bedtime routine
To ease the transition to quiet time, dim the lights and play soft music
Brush teeth. This is not every child’s favorite but doing it first will allow the other activities to re-regulate them.
Take a warm bath. Showers can be overstimulating because of the streams of water.
Read 2-3 books together in bed.
Sing 1-2 songs.
Hugs and kisses.
Lights out.
Environmental modifications may support good sleep health by creating a comfortable, cool, and dark sleeping space, which will help signal to the child’s brain that it is time for sleep. Things such as white noise machines, blackout curtains, and a consistent routine surrounding bedtime to help them predict and prepare for the transition to sleep. For a few more ideas about routine, check out our Building a Routine Blog.
Try to only implement one of these 1-2 weeks before giving up, and implementing them slowly. Change is hard! Your child may initially resist them. You’ve got this!
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework:
Domain and process. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412420010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001
Brennan, D. (2023, March 14). Sensory processing disorder: Causes, symptoms, and treatment.
WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/children/sensory-processing-disorder
Bryson, S. (2016, April 28). The relationship between sensory processing and sleep. The Center for
Connection. https://www.thecenterforconnection.org/blogarchive/2016/4/27/the-relationship-between-sensory-processing-and-sleep
Foitzik, K., & Brown, T. (2017). Relationship between sensory processing and sleep in typically
developing children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7201195040. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.027524
Hartman, A. (2021). Sleep and sensory processing: A critical relationship? SIS Quarterly Practice
Connections, 6(4), 5–7.
Podrez, A. (2021). Kid sleeping on bed. Pexels. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from
https://www.pexels.com/photo/kid-sleeping-on-bed-7504992/.