Anxiety Through a Sensory Lens: Perception and Praxis – Public version

R250,00

SKU: SL_PP_PUBLIC Category: SAISI Workshops Tags: Non-CPD, sensory lens

The content explores sensory perception and praxis in depth, linking these concepts to anxiety.
This course provides evidence-based insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning sensory perception and praxis, and their implications for mental health and behaviour in children.
By fostering a deeper understanding of these connections, the talk equips practitioners with knowledge to improve diagnostic reasoning and clinical outcomes.
The talk highlights the complex interplay between sensory perception, praxis, and anxiety, encouraging a holistic view of a child’s needs and vulnerabilities.
It emphasises the importance of recognising and addressing sensory challenges without stigma, promoting patient-centred care and dignity.
Ethical considerations are embedded in the discussion of how clinicians and educators can foster understanding and minimise potential harm in their interactions with children and families.
Your learning journey begins now — enjoy 1 year of access to the workshop from your date of purchase!

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

Welcome and brief introduction to the topic.
Overview of the session’s goals:
To explore the relationship between sensory perception, anxiety, and sensory-based praxis.
To explain how anxiety affects sensory perception and motor planning.
To examine how sensory perception difficulties contribute to the presentation of anxiety in children.
To highlight the bidirectional nature of this relationship and its implications for emotional well-being and motor skills development.

Sensory Perception:
Introduction to sensory perception: how we process sensory stimuli (touch, sight, sound, etc.) from our environment.
Focus on sensory perception difficulties: the challenges children may face in recognising and interpreting sensory information accurately.
Explanation of how sensory perception impacts daily activities and development (e.g., recognising textures, identifying sounds, or noticing visual cues).
Common difficulties in sensory perception:
Trouble distinguishing between different textures or visual cues.
Struggling to identify sounds or differentiate between similar sensory inputs.

How Anxiety Affects Sensory Perception:
Exploration of how anxiety affects sensory processing.
Anxiety can alter how sensory input is perceived, either increasing the intensity of certain stimuli or reducing clarity.
Examples of anxiety-related sensory distortions:
A child becoming overwhelmed by sounds or visual input that others may find tolerable.
A child perceiving normal touch sensations (like the feeling of clothing) as uncomfortable or overwhelming.
Understanding how anxiety may lead to sensory overload or underreaction.

How Sensory Perception Affects Praxis:
Explanation of praxis: the ability to plan and execute coordinated motor actions based on sensory input.
How sensory perception difficulties can disrupt motor planning, making it harder for children to complete tasks involving fine or gross motor skills.
Examples of challenges in praxis due to sensory perception difficulties:
Difficulty completing tasks such as buttoning a shirt or using utensils.
Struggling with activities like writing or catching a ball.
How Anxiety Affects Praxis:
Anxiety's influence on motor planning and task execution.
Anxiety may cause hesitation, uncertainty, or avoidance of tasks that require motor coordination, further hindering the development of praxis skills.
Example of how anxiety can worsen motor planning:
A child who avoids physical activities due to a fear of failure or embarrassment, hindering their motor development.

The Feedback Loop Between Anxiety and Sensory Perception:
Exploring the complex cycle between anxiety and sensory perception difficulties.
How sensory difficulties can trigger anxiety (e.g., feeling unsure in social or sensory-rich environments).
How anxiety can further distort sensory perception, creating a cycle that impacts emotional and motor development.
Understanding the bidirectional nature of this relationship and how it complicates the development of motor and emotional skills.

Summary of the key concepts:
Sensory perception and its impact on sensory processing.
The role of anxiety in distorting sensory perception and affecting praxis.
The bidirectional relationship between sensory difficulties and anxiety and its implications for children’s emotional and motor development.
Final thoughts:
Emphasising the importance of understanding the connection between sensory processing, anxiety, and motor development for supporting children’s well-being.
Encouragement to consider how these factors may influence the children in your care and their development.