What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory processing disorder refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate behavioral or motor responses. It is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Sensory Processing Disorder exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses. Someone with Sensory Processing Disorder may find it difficult to process and act upon information that they receive from the senses, which can make it difficult to complete various every-day tasks.
What does Sensory Processing Disorder look like?
A child with SPD may exhibit clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, or have trouble in school. SPD can look very different from one person to another. One child may over-respond to sensation and find physical contact, clothing, light, food, or other sensory input to be unbearable. On the other hand, one child might be under-responsive to sensory input and show little reaction to stimulation. Some “red flags” in preschoolers include:
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Over-sensitive to touch, noises, smells, and other people.
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Difficulty making friends.
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Difficulty dressing, eating, sleeping, and/or toilet training.
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Clumsy; poor motor skills; weak.
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In constant motion; in everyone else’s face and personal space.
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Frequent or long temper-tantrums.
If you suspect your child may have difficulty with sensory processing, contact a pediatric occupational therapist at PlayWorks Therapy to complete an evaluation.
Caitlin Cassidy, OTR/L