Using experience to give a better understanding of how sensory processing difficulties impact someone's life

I will be discussing the importance of educating about the impact of sensory processing difficulties to provide effective support. I believe that we learn best through experience, by 'doing' we are able to create a way that... [ view full abstract ]

I will be discussing the importance of educating about the impact of sensory processing difficulties to provide effective support.

I believe that we learn best through experience, by 'doing' we are able to create a way that we personally respond to that stimuli. Sensory processing difficulties impact over 80% of people with autism, there is not enough understanding of the impact that this has on people's lives and is often unsupported and treated as 'behaviours'.

Over the past 4 years I have been gathering descriptions and quotes from people on the autistic spectrum of the way they experience their surroundings. From these descriptions I have created experiential installations which offer an opportunity for you to step into their world for a few moments. By offering you the opportunity to see your surroundings in a similar way to someone with fragmented visual processing as described by Temple Grandin you are able to formulate your own personal response and reaction to your environment.
Upon reflection of this experience and reference to reality I am offering you a new way of enhancing your practice and the support you offer to people with sensory processing difficulties.

Sometimes the best way to support professional development is to offer an experience, this will naturally provoke conversations and an understanding which may not of otherwise been communicated as effectively if attending 'regular' training. We believe by creating more awareness of sensory processing difficulties we will be enhancing the support people with autism receive.