Sensory Processing is the way our brain interprets the information it receives from the senses. Sensory Integration Dysfunction or Sensory Processing Dysfunction is the inability of the brain to correctly process this information.
No two children are affected the same
Sensory processing deficits can come in many different forms, and no two children will be affected in the same ways. Often a child may over react to an unexpected sound, a tag in clothing, or avoid contact with certain textures. One day an experience is perceived as painful while the next day the child is just fine with it. These children may have a malfunctioning sensory system.
Someone affected by SPD may have challenges focusing in school, exhibit delays in motor control, appear ‘awkward or clumsy’, and have difficulty in social situations. These children are not just distracted by their outside environment, but are distracted by their inside environment as well.
Everyday activities can become a trial
Someone who is severely affected by Sensory Processing issues will have difficulties that disrupt their everyday life.
Major Symptoms of Sensory Processing Issues
- ✔ ADD/ADHD
- ✔ Motor delays
- ✔ Meltdowns/Explosive temper
- ✔ Poor muscle tone
- ✔ Handwriting problems
- ✔ Toe walking
- ✔ Anxiety
- ✔ Postural problems
- ✔ Lack of flexibility
- ✔ Weak social skills
- ✔ Picky eater or bothered by certain food textures
- ✔ Gets stuck on a type of food
- ✔ Likes to spin, swing, jump
- ✔ Particular about kinds of clothing or feel of fabric
- ✔ High or low pain tolerance
- ✔ Dislikes groups
- ✔ Difficulty with transitions
- ✔ Clumsy, coordination or motor planning difficulties
- ✔ Trouble with ball handling
- ✔ Over or under sensitive to touch, light, smell, sound
While SPD is its own diagnosis, it can be linked to other conditions, including Autism, Asperger’s, ADD, Dyslexia, Developmental Dyspraxia, and speech delays, among many others.