As parents and caregivers, we want our young children to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to explore the world around them. But for some little ones, from infants up to children age three, everyday experiences—sounds, textures, movement, lights, smells—can feel too big or not big enough. This is commonly described as sensory dysregulation.
The good news: sensory dysregulation can be common among infants and toddlers. You do not have to navigate dysregulation alone. At Early Intervention Services, we are here to help, offering sensory strategies and support to help your child engage and participate in everyday activities.
What is Sensory Regulation?
Sensory processing is how the brain takes in information from the senses and responds to this information and one’s immediate environment through the body. Young children use these sensations (e.g., touch, sound, sight, movement, and smell) to learn, explore, and participate in everyday routines. When a child’s sensory system has trouble organizing this information, they may become easily overwhelmed, or may crave more input (e.g., high volume on the TV or video, seeking constant movement).
Some children may find sounds too loud (such as the vacuum), clothing too itchy, or bright lights too intense. Others might seek lots of movement, touch or smell everything within reach, or seek deep pressure squeezes through hugs for extra pressure or stimulation.
Sensory dysregulation can impact a child’s development and well-being. No diagnosis or referral is needed to seek support from Early Intervention Services serving the Greater Lowell communities.
Common Signs Parents or Caregivers Might Notice
Just like adults, a child’s sensory system may span a wide spectrum. Our specialists share how when working with a child whose sensory system is not regulated, the specialist helps the caregivers and parents understand by asking about their sensory system and patterns they notice. As an adult, reflecting on your own sensory system and how you process the world may help your understanding of the child’s sensory system.
Many children have sensory preferences. What becomes important is noticing when these sensory challenges start to impact daily routines or cause stress for your child or family.
At Early Intervention Services, we often are contacted by families who observe:
Sensory Seeking Behaviors
- Crashing into cushions, furniture, or people
- Wanting to spin, climb, or jump constantly
- Mouthing, chewing, and/or overstuffing their mouth with food or non food items
- Enjoying strong pressure (e.g., seeking tight hugs and squeezes, squeezing into small spaces)
- Smelling everything in their environment (e.g., hair, socks, toys, food)
- Fidgeting or touching different textured materials
- Visually seeking movement of objects or toys (e.g., ceiling fans spinning, toys that light up)
Sensory Avoidant Behaviors
- Covering ears to everyday sounds (e.g., vacuum, blender, toilet flushing)
- Avoiding certain textures or messy hands
- Strong reaction to hair washing, hair brushing, or tooth brushing
- Sensitivity to textured foods, including those that are sticky or wet.
These behaviors do not automatically mean something is “wrong”—they simply indicate that your child’s sensory system is working harder and making every day routines challenging.
If any of the above behaviors are familiar, we encourage you to reach out to us at Early Intervention Services for a free evaluation.
Our services are provided at no direct cost to a family, and the initial evaluation is free. No referrals are needed. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to reach out to us directly.
Getting Started is as Easy as 1,2,3.
Our skilled and experienced professionals work with families and infants and toddlers up to age three regularly to offer support and strategies to assist the child and the family in understanding and regulating a child’s sensory system.
Early Intervention Services for the Greater Lowell Communities
If sensory challenges of an infant or toddler up to age three have become a source of stress, we encourage you to contact us for a free initial evaluation. We serve families and children throughout the Greater Lowell area including Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Westford.
Should the child qualify for our services, we establish an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and typically offer our services in the child’s natural environment, such as their home or childcare, to help the child and the family build skills through everyday routines.
We have been providing Early Intervention Services for over 40 years to children and families in the Commonwealth, nurturing the growth and development of children including social skills, daily functioning, and sensory regulation. We welcome the opportunity to assist you.
How Early Intervention Helps with Sensory Needs
At Early Intervention Services, we are proud to offer families and children a team of specialists. Our Early Intervention Specialists working with children on sensory regulation may include developmental specialists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. All are specialized in working with young children, parents, caregivers, and families. Our approach is family-centered, partnering with the family to offer support, tips and strategies to be incorporated into daily routines. Our team is highly trained, experienced, and includes bilingual professionals so we can effectively partner with the families we work with, many for whom English may be their second language.
Our services include:
- Observing your child in their natural settings
- Modelling techniques to help parents and caregivers
- Leveraging visual cues and references to assist in providing tips and strategies
- Helping build routines that feel smoother and less stressful
- Offering strategies that support sensory overload
- Supporting motor, communication, and play skills
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone. We Are Here to Help.
If sensory challenges have become a source of stress in your family, we encourage you to reach out to us. Reaching out is a positive step to assist you, your child, and your family. Our Early Intervention Services Professionals have worked with many families to help understand each child’s individual sensory needs.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you and your family to incorporate your values and culture, so your child thrives and the family gains confidence.
Contact us for a free evaluation.
Learn more about Early Intervention Services
Nurturing the growth and development of children, infants up to age three.
