Let’s first start with the definition of “Threshold”. Threshold is the magnitude or intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur or be manifested: “nothing happens until the signal passes the threshold” or “a threshold level. “
As in the above picture, funny but in some cases reality. This example would mean that the kid on the left has a much more high threshold than the one on the left. With all kidding aside, our threshold changes the way we respond in a sensory way on an every day basis.
Let’s take pain for example, each of us has a different tolerance for pain. This is a type of threshold. Some of us have a high tolerance/threshold for pain while others do not.
Threshold can also be used when we talk about our senses. Sensory threshold also differs from person to person. Our sense of smell is the only sense that is on the same pathway to the brain as pain. All other senses are filtered. To illustrate this, think about your clothes – you have probably forgotten the way they feel laying on your body. This is filtered by our brain. Another example, would be the lighting in the room you are sitting. Maybe when you sat down it was too dark or bright – your brain has filtered this information allowing you to adapt to your environment. The sense of smell or the olfactory system is the only sense that is not filtered. If you smelled fire, you would continue to smell fire until it went away (it would not regulate).
So … why talk about threshold and senses. To understand why we respond the way we do. For example, a child diagnosed with Autism that won’t eat broccoli or a child diagnosed with ADHD that hugs too tight. These children have a different thresholds for those senses than maybe you or I. Therefore they respond differently. When working with those children, it is important to take into account their threshold and their response before you address the behaviors.
We are all different – Once you acknowledge it, you can respect it. Once you respect it, you can understand it. Once you understand it, you will be able to teach it. Once you teach it, you model it. Once you model it, you will LIVE it! Be DIFFERENT!
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