Sensory Processing Disorder and Co-Occurring Challenges

Question 2

What is the tactile system?

Answer 2

The sensory system related to touch, texture, temperature, pain, and vibration.

Question 3

What is tactile defensiveness?

Answer 3

Overreaction or negative response to light or unexpected touch.

Question 4

How can an RBT support tactile defensiveness in ABA sessions?

Answer 4

Introduce textures gradually, use deep pressure (within comfort), and incorporate tactile play with reinforcement.

Question 5

Is tactile integration within the RBT scope of practice?

Answer 5

Yes, when goals target tolerance, task participation, or functional play, guided by the BCBA.

Question 6

What is the vestibular system?

Answer 6

The sensory system responsible for balance and spatial orientation, located in the inner ear.

Question 7

What are signs of vestibular seeking?

Answer 7

Constant spinning, climbing, swinging, or jumping.

Question 8

What are signs of vestibular avoidance?

Answer 8

Fear of movement, resistance to swings or slides, gets dizzy easily.

Question 9

How can an RBT support vestibular differences?

Answer 9

Offer controlled movement activities (e.g., trampoline, rocking chair) and follow child-preferred pace.

Question 10

Is vestibular work within ABA scope?

Answer 10

Yes, when used for regulation or engagement under supervision of a BCBA and/or OT.

Question 11

What is the proprioceptive system?

Answer 11

The sensory system that provides input from muscles and joints about body position.

Question 12

What are proprioceptive-seeking behaviors?

Answer 12

Crashing, jumping, chewing, carrying heavy objects, pushing/pulling.

Question 13

How can RBTs use proprioception in sessions?

Answer 13

Integrate heavy work tasks or resistance activities to support regulation and focus.

Question 14

Why is proprioception often calming?

Answer 14

It provides deep pressure input that helps regulate arousal levels and increase body awareness.

Question 15

What is auditory sensitivity?

Answer 15

Overreaction to sounds; covering ears, distress in noisy places.

Question 16

What is auditory seeking?

Answer 16

Making loud noises, vocal stimming, seeking echoing spaces.

Question 17

How can RBTs address auditory sensitivity?

Answer 17

Use headphones, offer quiet spaces, gradually expose to sounds with preferred activities.

Question 18

Is sound desensitization in scope for RBTs?

Answer 18

Yes, when paired with reinforcement and goals such as attending, tolerance, or transitions.

Question 19

What is the visual system in SPD?

Answer 19

Processing of light, color, motion, and visual clutter.

Question 20

What are signs of visual sensitivity?

Answer 20

Avoiding bright lights, visual overload, squinting.

Question 21

What are signs of visual seeking?

Answer 21

Staring at lights, spinning objects, watching fan blades.

Question 22

How can RBTs support visual processing needs?

Answer 22

Use calm environments, visual schedules, reduce clutter, or integrate visual tracking games.

Question 23

What is oral sensory seeking?

Answer 23

Chewing on objects, mouthing non-food items.

Question 24

What is oral sensitivity?

Answer 24

Gagging at textures, refusal of certain foods.

Question 25

How can RBTs support oral processing?

Answer 25

Use chew-safe tools, offer accepted textures, pair eating tasks with reinforcement.

Question 26

Can RBTs address oral-motor needs?

Answer 26

Yes, when working on tolerance or feeding programs designed by a BCBA or SLP.

Question 27

What is olfactory processing in SPD?

Answer 27

Processing of smells; can be overly sensitive or seek strong smells.

Question 28

How might children respond to olfactory input?

Answer 28

May gag at smells, seek strong scents, or avoid certain places.

Question 29

What can RBTs do to support olfactory needs?

Answer 29

Use scent-neutral settings, desensitize with preferred smells, reinforce tolerance.

Question 30

What is interoception?

Answer 30

The sense that helps us understand internal states like hunger, thirst, temperature, and bathroom needs.

Question 31

How can interoceptive challenges look?

Answer 31

May not notice hunger, bathroom urgency, or pain.

Question 32

Can ABA address interoceptive deficits?

Answer 32

Yes, through routines, bathroom schedules, and emotion/feeling identification tasks.

Question 33

What is sensory regulation?

Answer 33

The ability to manage and respond appropriately to sensory input.

Question 34

How can ABA help with sensory processing?

Answer 34

By building tolerance, teaching self-advocacy, using reinforcement, and creating sensory-informed behavior plans.

Question 35

What is within RBT scope regarding SPD?

Answer 35

Implementing sensory breaks, prompting coping tools, supporting regulation, and using data to inform BCBAs.

Question 36

Why is understanding SPD important in ABA?

Answer 36

It impacts behavior, attention, transitions, communication, and overall participation in therapy.

Question 37

What is the tactile system?

Answer 37

The sensory system related to touch, texture, temperature, pain, and vibration.

Question 38

What is tactile defensiveness?

Answer 38

Overreaction or negative response to light or unexpected touch.

Question 39

What are signs of tactile seeking?

Answer 39

Touching everything, mouthing objects, craving messy play.

Question 40

What are signs of tactile avoidance?

Answer 40

Avoiding messy play, distress with certain fabrics or touch.

Question 41

ABA strategies for tactile sensitivity?

Answer 41

Introduce textures slowly, pair with reinforcement, allow choice.

Question 42

What is the vestibular system?

Answer 42

Sensory system in the inner ear that helps with balance and movement.

Question 43

What are vestibular-seeking behaviors?

Answer 43

Spinning, swinging, jumping, rocking.

Question 44

What are vestibular-avoidant behaviors?

Answer 44

Fear of swings, slides, sudden movement.

Question 45

How can ABA support vestibular needs?

Answer 45

Use movement breaks, allow child-led input, reinforce engagement.

Question 46

What is the proprioceptive system?

Answer 46

Senses from muscles and joints that help with body awareness.

Question 47

Signs of proprioceptive seeking?

Answer 47

Crashing, bumping, chewing, pushing/pulling.

Question 48

ABA strategies for proprioceptive needs?

Answer 48

Heavy work activities, resistance play, jumping, crashing pads.

Question 49

What is auditory processing in SPD?

Answer 49

How the brain interprets sound input.

Question 50

Signs of auditory sensitivity?

Answer 50

Covering ears, distress with loud or unexpected noises.

Question 51

ABA support for auditory challenges?

Answer 51

Use headphones, prep for noise, pair sound with positive experiences.

Question 52

What is the visual system in SPD?

Answer 52

Processes light, color, shape, motion, and spatial input.

Question 53

Signs of visual sensitivity?

Answer 53

Squinting, avoiding bright rooms or busy visuals.

Question 54

ABA strategies for visual processing?

Answer 54

Use calm visuals, limit clutter, use visual schedules.

Question 55

What is oral sensory seeking?

Answer 55

Mouthing objects, chewing on clothing or toys.

Question 56

Signs of oral sensitivity?

Answer 56

Gagging, refusal of textures or strong flavors.

Question 57

ABA strategies for oral needs?

Answer 57

Offer safe chew tools, pair textures with reinforcement.

Question 58

What is olfactory processing?

Answer 58

Ability to tolerate and interpret smells.

Question 59

Signs of olfactory sensitivity?

Answer 59

Gagging at smells, distress in certain places.

Question 60

ABA strategies for olfactory SPD?

Answer 60

Desensitize gradually, use preferred scents in play.

Question 61

What is interoception?

Answer 61

The sense of internal body states (hunger, bathroom needs, emotions).

Question 62

Challenges from interoception?

Answer 62

Difficulty recognizing when hungry, thirsty, or needing a break.

Question 63

ABA support for interoception?

Answer 63

Use bathroom schedules, emotion charts, body awareness tasks.

Question 64

How does SPD relate to emotional regulation?

Answer 64

Over- or under-sensitivity may lead to outbursts or shutdowns.

Question 65

How can ABA support emotional regulation with SPD?

Answer 65

Teach self-regulation strategies, use calming tools and visuals.

Question 66

What are common co-occurring challenges with SPD?

Answer 66

ADHD, autism, anxiety, communication delays.

Question 67

How does sensory overload affect behavior?

Answer 67

Can trigger meltdowns, avoidance, or aggression.

Question 68

What ABA tools can help with transitions?

Answer 68

Use visual schedules, countdowns, reinforcement for smooth change.

Question 69

How does ABA help manage SPD-related aggression?

Answer 69

Teach communication, increase tolerance, reinforce calm behavior.

Question 70

What’s the RBT role with SPD in ABA?

Answer 70

Implement behavior plans, support regulation strategies, take data.

Question 71

Why is collaboration with OTs important?

Answer 71

OTs target sensory needs directly; ABA supports behavior and function.

Question 72

Can RBTs do sensory integration therapy?

Answer 72

No. RBTs can use sensory-friendly supports but not direct SI therapy.