Lost in space: The impact of sensorimotor difficulties on emotional and social development in early childhood

Abstract

This article examines the impact of sensorimotor deficiencies on social and emotional development in childhood. Children who have impairments in processing and coordinating sensory experience are unable to sufficiently develop sensorimotor schemas. Sensorimotor learning, in part, creates the experimential domain of the emergent self and is also a necessary component of core self development as outlined by Daniel Stern. The impact of deficiencies on the core self and, therefore, on social and emotional development are demonstrated with a complicated case example. The treatment process highlights the possibility of reworking core self issues and their effects on self concept and relationships. Multidisciplinary treatment is required to fully address all deficits. The child psychotherapist's role is to attend to the emotional and relational issues, as well as to coordinate the work with family and school.