SPD is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding toinformation that comes in through the senses. Some people with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things in theirenvironment. Common sounds may be painful or overwhelming. The light touch of ashirt may irritate the skinOthers with sensory processing disorder may: Be uncoordinated Bump into things Be unable to tell where their limbs are in space (proprioception) Be hard to engage in conversation or playSensory processing problems are usually identified in children. But they can also affectadults. Sensory processing problems are commonly seen in developmental conditionslike autism spectrum disorder.Sensory processing disorder is not recognized as a stand-alone disorder. But manyexperts think that should change.Sensory processing disorder may affect one sense, like hearing, touch, or taste. Or itmay affect multiple senses. Children can be over or under responsive to the sensethey have difficulties with.Like many conditions, the symptoms of sensory processing disorder exist on aspectrum. In some children, for example, the sound of a drill or vacuum cleaner mayset them off. Some children may cover their ears, some may run and hide under atable. In severe cases the child may even vomit.Some children cannot deal with the textures of certain foods and may not be able totolerate it in their mouths.On the opposite side, some children with SPD may not be responsive to sensorystimuli, they may fail to respond to extreme heat, cold or even pain.Many children with sensory processing disorder start out as fussy babies who becomeanxious as they grow older. These children often don’t handle change well. They mayfrequently throw tantrums or have meltdowns.Many children have symptoms like these from time to time. But therapists consider adiagnosis of sensory processing disorder when the symptoms become severe enoughto affect normal functioning and disrupt everyday life.Treatment depends on a child’s individual needs. But in general, it involves helpingchildren do better at activities they’re normally not good at and helping them get used tothings they can’t tolerate.Treatment for sensory processing problems is called sensory integration. The goal ofsensory integration is to challenge a child in a fun, playful way so they can learn torespond appropriately and function more normally. Children with suspected sensory processing disorder should be assessed and willbenefit greatly from early Occupational Therapy intervention.Because these children may be extra sensitive to touch and textures. A sensory binenables your child to get used to different tactile experiences. It can also promotevisual perception, language, and fine motor skills. This is something you can do athome.Some calming strategies include breathing techniques and deep pressure massage,Visual schedules and social stories can be used to explain sensory stresses orinappropriate sensory seeking behaviours, and to teach coping strategies.Some children grow out of these issues completely. Some children, especially thoseon the autism spectrum, may have them their whole lives. But as they get older, theyusually learn to cope with many of the things that bothered them as young children.Sometimes as people grow up, they are able to handle distress better than theycould as children.