Are you a parent who cannot figure out why your child is misbehaving and acting out for the most bizarre reasons? Are you unable to control your child’s tantrums no matter how hard you try?
You are not a poor parent! Your child may be experiencing Sensory Processing Disorder and these behaviors may be out of their control.
What exactly Is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is when the brain cannot produce the appropriate response for the sensory information that is being absorbed. In other words, an individual experiencing SPD has difficulty processing information received through their senses and in turn creates an undesirable action/response. A person with SPD experiences challenges performing even the simplest everyday tasks.
When talking about “sensory information”, it is referring to information being taken in from your seven senses:
- Sight
- Sound
- Touch
- Smell
- Taste
- Hearing
- Vestibular( movement and balance)
- Proprioception( body position)
Hypersensitive v. Hyposensitive; Signs and Symptoms
Hypersensitive: Over reactive to sensory stimuli; in other words, your child feels uncomfortable experiencing minor encounters with sensory stimuli and they need to “rid” or “escape” it.
- Avoids use of playground equipment.
- Demonstrates anxious behaviors
- Able to smell things that others cannot smell
- Is irritated by textures of clothing (i.e. tags)
- Dislikes being touched and/or hugged
- Has poor balance
- Experiences extreme response to noises
- May notice and become easily distracted by background noise
- May dislike certain textures of food
This video clarifies hypersensitivity and explains a child’s reaction to certain stimuli and what causes it.
Hyposensitive: Under reactive to sensory stimuli; in other words, your child feels overwhelmed by the world around him/her and “seeks” out additional sensory information to feel content and safe.
- Has a constant need to touch people and to be touched
- Is accident prone and demonstrates impulsive behavior
- May be fidgety and unable to sit still
- Often harms others accidentally (doesn’t recognize his/her own strength)
- May turn the volume loud on devices
- May put objects in his/her mouth for oral input
- Constantly seeking movement
This video clarifies hyposensitivity and explains a child’s reaction to certain stimuli and what causes it.
SPD Myths; Let’s set this straight!
1. Children with SPD are just being difficult. Wrong! These children are not trying to push buttons or demonstrate challenging behavior, they can’t help their body’s reactions to certain sensory stimuli. There are triggers that happen in your child’s environment that causes this type of reaction.
2. SPD is just another way to describe ADHD in your child. Wrong! These are two completely separate issues. I am not saying that your child cannot suffer from both, because he/she can, but they are two different diagnosis.
3. SPD is another form of autism. Wrong! The cause of SPD is still unknown. Children with autism may experience symptoms of SPD, but that doesn’t mean that every child experiencing signs and symptoms of SPD has autism. This is a similar myth to the one about ADHD. Children may experience both, but also may experience them separately.
What should you do if your child is experiencing signs and symptoms of SPD?
Make sure your child is accurately diagnosed by a medical professional. Once your child is diagnosed, obtain a referral for an Occupational Therapist so your child can receive intervention for SPD. The Occupational Therapist will begin by performing standardized tests, as well as observation, to get a better understanding of your child’s everyday function.
If this is something you are comfortable with, allow your child to attend Occupational Therapy services 2-3x/wk. Your child will have a created Sensory Diet, which is an individualized treatment plan to effectively treat your child’s specific sensory problems. The goal of this is to take the “problem” behaviors and replace them with more adaptive behaviors.
The Occupational Therapist will most likely perform Sensory Integration Therapy, which provides your child with the opportunity to have as many sensory experiences as possible in a safe environment. With the Occupational Therapist present, he/she will work and “play” with your child to regulate these sensory experiences to ensure a more appropriate response.
*Friendly reminder- Family collaboration is very important in treating a child with SPD. Don’t be afraid to become a part of therapeutic intervention as well as bring it into your home environment!
Don’t be discouraged; As a parent, you are not alone.
Impact and Treatment of SPD. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from https://www.spdstar.org/basic/impact-and-treatment-of-spd
Mailloux, Z., Mulligan, S., Roley, S. S., Blanche, E., Cermak, S., Coleman, G. G., et al. (2011). Verification and clarification of patterns of sensory integrative dysfunction. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 143–151. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2011.000752
Ostovar, R., & Kranowitz, C. S. (2009). Ultimate guide to sensory processing disorder. Arlington, TX: Sensory World/Future Horizons.
Pérez Robles, R., Ballabriga, M., Diéguez, E., & Caldeira da Silva, P. (2012). Validating Regulatory Sensory Processing Disorders Using the Sensory Profile and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 1½-5). Journal Of Child & Family Studies, 21(6), 906-916. doi:10.1007/s10826-011-9550-4