You may find that as you explore websites, blogs, books and support groups for those with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) that there is lots of talk about seekers and avoiders. Artist for example is a combination she seeks deep input and chewing and avoids getting dirty, lots of noise and clothing. Baby boy is also a combination he seeks gross motor input but avoids deep pressure and busy places but is getting better with this.
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| Seeker/avoider - seeking deep pressure and avoiding sounds |
For those who have never been around someone with SPD they may not understand what an avoider and a seeker are. It can be a little difficult to understand at first, it is not simply a child who likes bear hugs, it's the child who is always wanting bear hugs and seems to need it to help them self-regulate. It is not a child who likes a routine, it is a child who will have a complete meltdown if one thing in their routine has changed.
That just gave me an idea for another post, what is the difference between a meltdown and tantrum, stay tuned.
One example I heard of how to explain seekers vs avoiders is to think of the person's sensory system as a cup, someone who is seeker has a really big cup and it takes a lot to fill it, well an avoider has a small cup and it does not take much for that cup to overflow.
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Seeking- small tight places
(yes he is sitting in a laundry hamper) |
Lets start off with a seeker, in my opinion they can be the most fun but also the most busiest and messiest. Seekers are those who are often seeking sensory input. Some examples are:
- Wanting bear hugs
- Climbing or jumping when not safe to do so
- Chewing on clothing, remotes or other items (power cords were popular with Artist and Baby boy prefers the collar of his shirt when he has had a difficult day)
- Smells everything
- Constantly moving (you all know that one person that is constantly moving around and can't sit still)
- Often speak in a loud voice
- Messy eaters
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| Avoider- does not like busy stores |
Avoiders are someone like me so I do enjoy their company and understand not to push them outside their boundaries to much, it's important to take your time and slowly introduce new sensory inputs to them. It is important to help avoiders and give them the tools they need to be able to handle the situations that arise. A few traits of an avoider are:
- Cover ears when in public places
- Will not wear socks or clothing with tags or seams (Artist refuses to wear socks and I do not fight her on this one even during the winter)
- Do not like being touched
- Do not like getting messy
- Are picky eaters
- Do well on routines and can have a meltdown if that routine is changed
- Hates hair cuts (this right here is Baby Boy, he screams bloody murder but has gotten better thanks to us being proactive and working with him)
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Avoiding - Artist was overwhelmed
at a family gathering |
These are just a few example traits of seekers and avoiders, there are just to many to list. It is important to know if your child is a seeker or an avoider or a combination so you can figure out the best way to help you child. Having a sensory diet is a great way to help seekers get what they are seeking and help avoiders be able to do what something they would normally avoid.
Make sure to check out my post about sensory diets:
