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Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to sensory information. This can affect touch, sound, taste, smell, sight, balance, and body awareness—making everyday tasks feel overwhelming or confusing for those with SPD.

What Is Sensory Processing Disorder?

SPD isn’t a one-size-fits-all diagnosis—it exists on a spectrum. Individuals may be:

1) Hypersensitive (Sensory-Avoidant): Overwhelmed by textures, sounds, or lights

2) Hyposensitive (Sensory-Seeking): Constantly seeking sensory input (e.g., spinning, crashing, chewing)

Many children with autism also experience sensory challenges, but SPD can occur with or without autism. SPD is more of a spectrum. People with this condition can experience a wide array of sensitivities or sensory-seeking behaviors. Some people may be hypersensitive, finding even minor sensory input overwhelming and leading to sensory overload. In contrast, others may be hypersensitive, seeking out strong sensory experiences or showing a diminished response to sensory stimuli.

SPD symptoms can show up in many areas

SPD may show up in different ways across 3 main categories:
1) Sensory Modulation: Over- or under-response to stimuli (e.g., screaming at loud sounds or craving intense touch)
2) Sensory Discrimination: Difficulty telling where a sound came from or identifying objects by touch
3) Sensory-Based Motor Skills: Poor coordination, balance issues, trouble with posture and motor planning

Problems with sensory discrimination might hinder a person's ability to accurately understand and make sense of sensory information. And difficulties with sensory-based motor skills can interfere with coordination, balance, and motor planning.

Living with SPD

Can significantly influence various life aspects, from social interaction and self-regulation to learning and daily activities. People with SPD may find it hard to deal with changes, stay focused, manage their emotions, and face challenges with routine tasks like eating, sleeping, and getting dressed.

It's vital to highlight

Sensory Processing Disorder is a real and recognized condition among many occupational therapists, psychologists, and healthcare professionals. Catching it early and starting appropriate interventions can be a game changer. It can help people with SPD learn effective coping techniques, develop self-regulation skills, and enhance their overall quality of life.

FAQs

Sensory Processing Disorder is a condition where a person has problems with organizing and interpreting sensory stimuli like touch, sound, and movement from the surrounding environment. These processes make navigation and daily routines feel consuming and make tasks feel either unpredictable or confusing.

No. SPD is considered to be different for everyone as it exists on a spectrum. Some may be considered as hypersensitive having a low tolerance and overreacting to even the simplest sensory input. Other people may be considered as hyposensitive, having a low responsiveness to stimuli.

The symptoms of SPD are generally grouped in three broad categories: • Sensory modulation issues • Sensory discrimination difficulties • Sensory-based motor skill problems

Issues of Sensory Processing Disorder may influence someone’s social behavior as well as their emotional regulation. It may affect their ability to learn new subjects while also performing basic tasks like eating, sleeping, focusing, and dressing. They may also struggle with changing a routine to plan, as well as managing sensory overload.

SPD can occur on its own or with other conditions, including an autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or even some developmental delays. Each person with SPD presents differently.

As occupational and developmental psychologists, and healthcare practitioners, we consider SPD as a legitimate medical issue since it has a profound effect on one’s quality of life.As occupational and developmental psychologists, and healthcare practitioners, we consider SPD as a legitimate medical issue since it has a profound effect on one’s quality of life.

Though there is no definitive cure to SPD, it can be managed with a combination of self-regulation skill development and adaptive coping to sensory challenges, which are more easily mastered with occupational therapy, sensory integration therapy, and with early intervention.

If daily functioning, social engagement, and emotional aspects of one’s life are affected by sensory challenges, it is time to seek guidance and assessment by a qualified healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist.

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