Building Body-Spaital Awareness
Does your child tend to bump into people and objects around them? Do they stand closer than normal to others, to speak? For some children, sensing where they are and using proper force can be a struggle— and physical therapy can help them to understand where, when and how to maneuver their body in space.
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What Is Body Spatial Awareness?
All of us have a sense of body-spatial awareness— simply, an internal GPS system telling us where we are in relation to the world around us. A number of factors can influence the development of this sense, and for those with developmental conditions such as autism, sensory processing disorders or ADHD, intervention by a physical therapist may be helpful.
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Signs of Struggle with Body-Spatial Awareness
These are some of the key indicators that a child may struggle with body-spatial awareness:
- Close proximity: A child may stand closer than normal when speaking, walking or waiting in lines.
- Missing Social Cues: The child does not seem to notice if others back away or seem uncomfortable.
- Rough Play: The child may play intensely either with others or alone, which may lead to accidental bumps or injuries.
- Pressure Challenges: Using too much or too little pressure when writing, drawing or interacting with objects.
When it comes to these challenges, education is key — and a licensed physical therapist is trained to evaluate your child for the underlying cause and work with them to observe and maintain a greater awareness of themselves and their surroundings.
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.