Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a disorder in which the nervous system does not process sensory signals appropriately and creates an inappropriate response. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively (www.spdfoundation.net). Like most disorders, SPD can have a broad range of severity. Children and adults with SPD have chronic difficulties with everyday activities. SPD can affect just one of the senses or it can affect multiple senses. It is often misdiagnosed due to decreased awareness by health care professionals.
Most children with SPD are just as intelligent as their peers, but their brains are wired differently and need to be taught in an adaptive way so that their brain can take in and process the information. These children often have difficulties with motor skills and social interaction. They often demonstrate low self esteem and are at a high risk for social, emotional and educational problems. SPD is often hidden behind behaviors the child demonstrates. These behaviors often lead them to be labeled as clumsy, belligerent, out of control and unmotivated. SPD can be treated using sensory integration techniques that will eventually generalize outside the OT gym and into everyday life. Treatment is often family centered, with the parents/caregivers being involved in a “sensory diet” to assist with providing specific types of input to a child’s sensory system throughout the day.