Sensory Processing Disorder, commonly known as SPD, is a condition where the brain struggles to comprehend sensory information. This sensory data includes everyday occurrences such as the things we see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and how we comprehend our body’s movements and positions. Individuals who live with SPD often find themselves responding atypically to these sensations.
Understanding an individual’s sensory response is key to understanding SPD. Some folks tend to be overly sensitive, otherwise known as hyper-responsive, to sensory stimuli. An instance of this can be a child who gets extremely disturbed by bright lights or loud sounds. On the flip side, others may not be sensitive enough, known as hypo-responsive, to such stimuli. A hypo-responsive individual, for example, might not notice when someone attempts to strike a conversation with them.
There are various sensory systems that can be impacted by Sensory Processing Disorder. This includes our visual system which affects how we perceive things, our auditory system which impacts our ability to hear sounds, and our tactile system that affects our touch sensitivity. It may also impact our gustatory system which is linked to our sense of taste, our olfactory system associated with our sense of smell, and our proprioceptive system which helps us understand the position of our body parts without necessarily having to look. Other affected systems may include our vestibular system that governs our balance and movement, and our interoceptive system which helps us sense internal body cues like feelings of hunger or thirst.
Children living with SPD can display a variety of signs, and these signs can vary widely depending on how their brains process sensory information. Kids may react excessively or not enough to sensory inputs. They might exhibit peculiar activity levels, either erring on the side of excessive activity or being lethargic. Furthermore, they may struggle with motor skills, social skills, and learning.
Early detection of SPD is significantly beneficial as it enables parents and caregivers to better support the child’s needs. To achieve this, the use of a symptoms checklist can prove to be an instrumental tool in recognizing and understanding these sensory challenges. The information gathered from the checklist can serve as a springboard for advocating for the child’s needs in various settings like school, home, and in social engagements.
To conclude, Sensory Processing Disorder is complex but understanding the various nuances can empower individuals living with SPD and their caregivers to navigate this journey with resilience, creating an environment that is supportive and affirming. Recognizing signs early on and using tools to provide a framework of understanding is integral to this process.