Meet Lauren, a 43-year-old woman who experiences differences in sensory processing and integration. Since childhood, she has faced challenges with motor coordination and sensory sensitivities, which have affected her ability to study, take part in everyday activities, and navigate social relationships. Although she was never formally diagnosed as a child, a recent experience taking her son for an occupational therapy assessment helped her recognise that she has been living with similar sensory differences all along.
To understand how sensory processing and integration differences can shape daily life for adults, let’s take a look at a typical day in Lauren’s life.
You can also download this story as a PDF:
A Day in the Life of an Adult with Sensory Processing and Integration Differences - Lauren.pdf
Lauren has just dropped her children off at school and is contemplating taking her dog for a walk. It is raining, and she doesn't feel like going, but if she doesn’t go for a walk in the morning, she feels dysregulated and has difficulty concentrating on her work.
Sensory Integration Differences: Sensory regulation. Needs regular movement to regulate herself
Lauren has received a furniture delivery for her home office. She feels very frustrated with herself as she didn’t book the assembly service because the bookshelf she ordered looked like it would be easy to put together. However, when she started to look at the materials and the instructions, she could not figure out how to do it and found herself getting more upset the more she tried to do it.
As her partner, who would be able to help, is away for a few days, she will have to leave all the pieces out, which annoys her as she really wanted to sort out the room.
Sensory Integration Differences: Difficulties with praxis (motor planning) and motor coordination
Lauren has a video call for her newly set-up business. She recently set up her own consulting business after finding it increasingly difficult to deal with the noise in the open-plan office where she used to work.
Whilst she finds home more comfortable to work in, she is quite looking forward to the call as it has been a big change going from a busy office environment to having no one to talk to during the day.
Sensory Integration Differences: Sensitivity to noise
It is sports day at her son’s school and Lauren is dreading it. Last year, her son asked her to participate in a parents' obstacle course, and she found it difficult to navigate the obstacles.
She felt embarrassed afterwards as everyone else seemed to enjoy it and manage just fine. Lauren felt as if everyone was judging her.
Sensory Integration Differences: Difficulties with praxis (motor planning)
After (just) surviving the hustle and bustle of the sports day, Lauren and her son are at the supermarket to pick up some food for supper. She meant to put in an online order but forgot. She really dislikes going to the supermarket and cannot stand the bright lights and all the noise.
It always feels like she is in the wrong place at the wrong time, as every time she goes to the supermarket, someone tends to bump into her trolley, which makes for an unpleasant experience. Lauren cannot wait to get home.
Sensory Integration Differences: Difficulties with praxis (motor planning), sensitivity to noise and light
Lauren finally has time to relax after an exhausting day. She looks forward to trying out a new aromatherapy product that she ordered, which is supposed to help you sleep better. Even though Lauren is tired at the end of the day, she is unable to wind down at night and often finds it difficult to sleep, which leaves her more exhausted the next day.
Sensory Integration Differences: Difficulties with regulation and arousal
We introduce you to the eight sensory systems and learn a clear definition of sensory processing and integration. You'll explore how sensory processing differences can present challenges and see examples of how they impact daily life.
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Free online course for therapists seeking to learn about Ayres Sensory Integration and its relevance to their clinical practice.
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Free guide for Occupational Therapists on the impact that sensory integration training will have on their career and practice.
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With Stephanie Ruppel, Occupational Therapist, Advanced SI Practitioner, and Postgraduate Education Director at SIE and Penny Stewart, Occupational Therapist, Lead for Academic Programmes at SIE
