SPD is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to
information that comes in through the senses.
Some people with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things in their
environment. Common sounds may be painful or overwhelming. The light touch of a
shirt may irritate the skin
Others 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 play
Sensory processing problems are usually identified in children. But they can also affect
adults. Sensory processing problems are commonly seen in developmental conditions
like autism spectrum disorder.
Sensory processing disorder is not recognized as a stand-alone disorder. But many
experts think that should change.
Sensory processing disorder may affect one sense, like hearing, touch, or taste. Or it
may affect multiple senses. Children can be over or under responsive to the sense
they have difficulties with.
Like many conditions, the symptoms of sensory processing disorder exist on a
spectrum. In some children, for example, the sound of a drill or vacuum cleaner may
set them off. Some children may cover their ears, some may run and hide under a
table. In severe cases the child may even vomit.
Some children cannot deal with the textures of certain foods and may not be able to
tolerate it in their mouths.
On the opposite side, some children with SPD may not be responsive to sensory
stimuli, they may fail to respond to extreme heat, cold or even pain.
Many children with sensory processing disorder start out as fussy babies who become
anxious as they grow older. These children often don’t handle change well. They may
frequently throw tantrums or have meltdowns.
Many children have symptoms like these from time to time. But therapists consider a
diagnosis of sensory processing disorder when the symptoms become severe enough
to affect normal functioning and disrupt everyday life.
Treatment depends on a child’s individual needs. But in general, it involves helping
children do better at activities they’re normally not good at and helping them get used to
things they can’t tolerate.
Treatment for sensory processing problems is called sensory integration. The goal of
sensory integration is to challenge a child in a fun, playful way so they can learn to
respond appropriately and function more normally.
Children with suspected sensory processing disorder should be assessed and will
benefit greatly from early Occupational Therapy intervention.
Because these children may be extra sensitive to touch and textures. A sensory bin
enables your child to get used to different tactile experiences. It can also promote
visual perception, language, and fine motor skills. This is something you can do at
home.
Some calming strategies include breathing techniques and deep pressure massage,
Visual schedules and social stories can be used to explain sensory stresses or
inappropriate sensory seeking behaviours, and to teach coping strategies.
Some children grow out of these issues completely. Some children, especially those
on the autism spectrum, may have them their whole lives. But as they get older, they
usually 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 they
could as children.