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What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is the inability to properly perceive and interpret sensory information through the senses that affects daily functioning. Previously referred to as Sensory Integration Dysfunction, SPD is not one specific disorder. It encompasses a variety of neurological disabilities. It can cause the individual affected to display atypical behaviors and may sometimes be confused with symptoms of mild autism, ADHD, or even Asperger Syndrome.

Children with sensory processing disorders can have a different combination of symptoms depending on the type of SPD that affects the child. The following chart shows the different categories and subtypes of SPD⁽¹⁾:

The subtype Sensory Modulation Disorder causes difficulty in the way a child responds to sensory information in his/her environment. A child may become over-responsive to stimuli in the environment or under-responsive to stimuli. Other children may primarily be sensory seeking or have a mixture of over-responsive and under-responsive sensory disorder symptoms. The following is a list of the senses that can be affected by SPD:

• Vestibular Dysfunction
• Proprioceptive Dysfunction
• Tactile Dysfunction with hyposensitivity to tactile stimuli
• Tactile Defensiveness with hypersensitivity to tactile stimuli
• Oral Defensiveness
• Olfactory Dysfunction
• Auditory Dysfunction

Causes and Treatment

Possible causes of SPD can be different for each child. Some causes may include one of these factors⁽¹⁾:

• Genetic or hereditary
• Prenatal exposure to chemicals, medications, toxins, smoke, drugs, alcohol, great emotional stress, virus, chronic illness or problem with the placenta
• Multiple births, such as twins or triplets
• Prematurity or low birth weight
• Birth trauma, including emergency cesarean section, lack of oxygen, or surgery soon after birth
• Postnatal exposure to environmental pollutants, child abuse, insufficient stimulation (limited play and interaction), lengthy hospitalization, and placement in an orphanage

Sensory processing disorder treatment will typically include sensory integration therapy and occupational therapy. A therapist may also recommend completing the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol with your child. Therapy will vary for each child depending on his or her specific needs. It may also include developing a sensory diet and making environmental modifications to help the child cope with sensory input. I have just recently discovered that my son is also affected by SPD with the subtype sensory seeking. Currently, we are consulting with an occupational therapist on the best treatment options for him.

The following are some great books if you are looking to get more thorough and technical information about SPD:

References

1. Kranowitz, C. S. (2005). The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorders. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

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