Book of the Month Aug 2016 - [Improving Sensory Processing in Traumatised Children]

​Improving Sensory Processing in Traumatized Children 
By Sarah Lloyd 
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This excellent little book provides a timely reminder of the significance for fostered or adopted children of the sensory and movement experiences to which they have been exposed in early life.  


The author, Sarah Lloyd, suggests that when we think of trauma and neglect we usually draw on theories around Attachment and Trauma.  Bringing theories around Sensory Integration into the picture can add helpful insight and by helping babies and children to “go back” and become more in touch with themselves at a bodily level, they become more able to deal with their emotions.

Sarah Lloyd draws on her experience of working in Fife as part of the Springfield Project to write the book. Based on her considerable experience as a Specialist Occupational Therapist and Play Therapist, she reminds us that secure children have lots of movement and emotional experiences that allow the brain and central nervous system to develop good, strong pathways.  The things we take for granted such as rough and tumble play, carrying a baby on a hip, the “jiggling” interaction that we have with babies, are all helpful in developing their vestibular system.  By contrast, children affected by trauma and neglect lack not only the warm interaction from caring adults but also the movement experiences, beginning in-utero, that go alongside this. They often have poor muscle tone, poor posture and poor balance.  Sensory Integration Theory is thus very useful if used alongside Attachment Theory.

The third section of the book provides some helpful exercises which can be used to  increase sensory awareness in children. The author gives really good examples of how, starting with the tactile system, games such as taste tests, blow football, food that gives sensory stimulation, “feely” bags, “Simon says”, doing “wheelbarrows” and using a yoga ball can all be helpful. Many of these exercises and games fit well with what we know from PACE (Dan Hughes), from Theraplay, from the “Brainchild” work of Viv Hailwood or the interventions on perception and the senses offered by “Motorvate”. 

In this helpful little book Sarah Lloyd reminds us that, “relationship experiences combined with bodily and movement experiences form the development of social and emotional skills and learning”.  She offers us ways of identifying the gaps in the development of children who are affected by trauma and neglect.  Her generous sharing of exercises provide a valuable tool for parents and for professionals too. I feel sure that there’s another book to be written by this experienced practitioner and hope that she will write further.

**** star rating   
Heather M Drysdale 
Systemic Psychotherapist/Adoption and Fostering Consultant

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