Designing Sensory Yoga Play Kit for Hypersensitive Children with Sensory Processing Disorder | Chan Myae (Cindy) Khin

Welcome

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to join me in my virtual exhibit. My name is Chan Myae Khin (Cindy). I am a freelance graphic designer currently based in Toronto, ON. My previous work examines the intersection where design meets practicality but is also aesthetically pleasing. However, as I continued for my Master of Inclusive Design, I began to design with inclusion in mind. I have grown interested in designing for hypersensitive children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). My Major Research Project (MRP) will examine designing a sensory yoga play kit for Hypersensitive children with SPD.  During the pandemic, the idea came to me where everyone is taking care of themselves by working out, keeping themselves moving, or doing yoga at home, I thought about how individuals with sensory overload would work out or even participate in any fitness activities when fitness environments, workout materials, or even yoga mats are not designed as sensory-friendly as we think. I have also noticed a lack of consideration and promotion of sensory Yoga and its benefits for SPD, even though Yoga is promoted as an accessible self-care practice. So, the question arises that shouldn’t we all deserve to feel safe and have an enjoyable time while self-caring? Moreover, how come sensory Yoga activities are not implemented as part of children with sensory issues daily routine at a very young age with all the yoga benefits are promoted for the rest of us?

Introduction

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological disorder that impairs the processing of sensory information in the brain from our senses. It can cause an inability to properly orient the body, poor fine motor skills, hypersensitivity to sound for children, and difficulty processing incoming information (Bunim, 2013). Unlike visual impairment or hard of hearing, which is described as not receiving sensory input, an individual with SPD perceives senses abnormally (Singer, 2015). SPD affects the brain to process sensory information in a distressing and confusing way (Sicile, 2010). The prevalence of sensory processing issues is around 1 in 20 to 1 in 6.25 children in the US general population. A new study in Finland found the majority of sensory abnormalities to be approximately 8.3% in an epidemiological group of 8-year-old children (Crasta, Salzinger, Lin, Gavin, & Davies, 2020).

Sensory processing disorders affect 5 to 16 percent of school-aged children (Bunim, 2013). In the case of the child with SPD in a classroom, not only do they struggle during the class, they will likely have difficulty in other aspects of their daily lives. It could include struggling on the playground in terms of being frightened of equipment or sounds in the cafeteria, where the sounds and visual stimulations can cause emotional distress. SPD can affect an art class, where a student may exhibit clumsy behaviour or appear uncoordinated and bang into peers and objects (SPD Foundation, 2021). Therefore, parents, teachers, and support workers need to consider surroundings that may not involve class time. Sensory Processing Disorder formerly referred to as sensory integration dysfunction, is not currently recognized as a distinct medical diagnosis (Goodman, 2012).

Yoga is a mind-body-focused physical activity that has been shown to have many benefits related to physical, mental and cognitive health. Therapeutic Yoga is characterized as applying yoga postures and practice to health requirements and includes instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent, decrease or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional and spiritual pain, suffering or limitations (Woodyard, 2011).

Through personalized Yoga poses and programmes, which involve various vestibular (movement/balance), proprioception (movement and resistance) and tactile (deep pressure and touch) activities, individuals can obtain the sensory input they need to help them become focused and coordinated during the day (“Sensory Integration Education,” 2019). These techniques, tasks, and postures (mostly when performed continuously) can improve children’s abilities to relax when they find themselves in a stressful situation (“Yoga and SPD,” 2013). Yoga therapy adopts a multifaceted approach to reduce psychological distress to bring balance and harmony to the body, breath and mind through physical postures, breathing practices, chanting, and relaxation techniques, thus enhancing overall wellbeing. Existing studies have shown that Yoga has developed SPD symptoms by improving sensory processing, motor skills, balance and coordination, cognition, imitation, and communication skills (Kankan Gulati, Praerna Hemant Bhargav, Abraham, & Hemant Bhargav, 2020).

More than 200 children, ages 5 to 10, practiced Yoga, meditation and sensory procedures to assist them control stress, ease test anxiety and focus on schoolwork (Centre for Children’s Therapy, 2019). With personalized yoga activities involving various vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile activities, children with SPD can experience the sensory input they need to function throughout the day (Hamilton, 2020). The brain works collectively with information from proprioception and vestibular activities to identify the body’s position and acceleration. Yoga is a great way to strengthen these senses as the mind and body work together to complete the poses (“Sensory Yoga Proprioception Vestibular,” 2021). Poses such as a downward dog, airplane, tree pose and planking are simple yoga movements for kids as they receive proprioception input from the pressures on their arms and input to the vestibular system by having their head inverted (“Sensory Yoga Proprioception Vestibular,” 2021). Yoga provides these children with relief – a way for them to take control, take ownership of their feelings and develop their ability to cope without assistance. Teaching these children yoga breathing techniques allows them to learn to relax and calm themselves. Poses such as a child’s pose will enable them to feel the stillness and calm of their bodies (“Yoga and SPD” 2013).

For children with SPD, Yoga can increase body awareness and muscle tone. It can develop balance, joint coordination, motor-planning, and both fine and gross motor skills (“Yoga and SPD,” 2013). All of the poses that provoke play are present and remain important for growth, flexibility, and learning. One of the other critical components of a yoga practice is meditation and mindfulness. The significant aspect of mindfulness is the ability to concentrate on this moment—the “here and now” (Eckerd, 2019). Many Yoga and occupational therapists use meditation and breathing techniques to help autistic or SPD individuals calm and regulate themselves. Self-calming techniques are instrumental in easing stress – and research shows that these techniques also are an efficient modality for SPD treatment (Centre for Children’s Therapy, 2019).