Tactile and Oral Processing

A 6-year-old constantly chews on shirt collars, pencils, and toys. According to Dunn’s model, this is MOST likely an example of

• Sensory Avoider

• Low Registration

• Sensory Seeker

• Sensory Sentivity

During snack time, an 8-year-old gags at the sight of mixed textures (like fruit salad) and refuses crunchy foods by pushing it away. This aligns with which sensory pattern?

• Sensory Seeker

• Sensory Avoider

• Sensory Sensitivty

• Low Registration

A child who avoids chewy foods may benefit MOST from:

• Offering crunchy, predictable textures

• Giving extra-large mixed texture meals

• Ignoring their preferences

• Only presenting liquids

A 5-year-old screams when finger paint is placed in front of them and refuses to touch playdough. This behavior shows:

• Sensory Seeker

• Sensory Avoider

• Sensory Sensitivity

• Low Registration

A 7-year-old doesn’t notice when food is on their face or when their hands are messy. Which profile best describes this?

• Sensory Avoider

• Sensory Seeker

• Sensory Sensitivty

• Low Registration

A child with autism frequently gags when new foods are introduced at snack time. As the RBT, what is the MOST appropriate response?

• Force the child to take at least one bite of the non-preferred food

• Report the response to the OT/COTA and continue using preferred foods

• Create a new feeding protocol for gradual exposure

• Ignore the gagging and keep presenting the food

Which strategy BEST supports a child who is an oral sensory seeker

• Provide gum, chewy jewelry, or crunchy snacks

• Remove all oral sensory input

• Only offer bland puréed foods

• Ignore the chewing behavior

During table work, a child frequently leaves their seat to touch classroom walls and objects. Which is the BEST sensory support an RBT can implement (under OT/BCBA guidance)?

• Remove all sensory items from the environment

• Require the child to sit still with no alternatives

• 
  Allow unlimited wandering during instruction

• Offer a small fidget tool or textured item at the table

Which of the following is the MOST important reason for RBTs to understand oral and tactile sensory profiles in autism?

• To eliminate all sensory behaviors

• To replace OT recommendations

• To reduce sensory-based behaviors that interfere with learning

• To ensure children eat faster

A child refuses to finger paint during art and pushes the tray away. As the RBT, which action is MOST appropriate?

• Insist the child use their fingers to increase tolerance

• Remove art activities completely from their program

• Create a new desensitization plan for messy play

• Offer an alternative tool like a paintbrush or sponge