Influencing arousal for play and interaction

Infants may be difficult to engage if their level of arousal does not allow adequate time in a quiet alert state. To understand the possible reasons this may happen, it is important that assessment establishes:

• an understanding of the infant's sensory processing
• knowledge of the medical condition,
• understanding of a typical day, environment and attachment to caregivers.

For example: poor arousal or limited wake times may be normal when an infant is unwell but become an issue for an infant who is never able to wake for feeds.

An infant may be over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sensory input. This can result in excessive irritability, excitement, hypervigilance or shutting down/sleeping. Both under sensitivity and oversensitivity can interfere with the development of self-regulation. The process of determining how to achieve a quiet alert state may be very complex involving observation, parent interview, sensory profiling and trial and error of techniques to influence the baby’s arousal.