Does your child cover their ears from loud noises?

Are they constantly being unsafe or too cautious?

Do tags on clothes often bother them?

These are possible signs and symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

What is SPD you ask…? 

So, SPD does not look the same? Why can two people who are both diagnosed with SPD be polar opposites?

There are TWO types of Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Avoiding “the shy ones”  

• Goes to quiet places
• Avoids crowds
• Does not like tags on clothing
• Anxious around new people 
• Refuses to try new foods or does not like the texture  

Sensory Seeking “the wild ones”  

• Seeks physical touch (hugging or rough play)
• Constant touching items
• Always moving
• Clumsy or off-balance
• Increased resistance for pain

Fact. We have 7 senses!

1. Vision
2. Hearing
3. Taste
4. Touch
5. Smell
6. Vestibular (balance)
7. Proprioception (body awareness)

Vestibular (movement) where our head and body is in relation to space. This is how we sit, stand, walk, and run.

Proprioception (body position) understanding our body awareness in relation to space. Helps us with knowing how much pressure to apply. For example, when inserting a straw into a juice box. Too much force will cause the juice to go everywhere.

Take a look below at  A Day in the Life of a Child with SPD

Our environment plays a key role. Certain lights, noises, smells, texture, and taste can lead to an overload which in this case means a “sensory overload”. This can lead to an individual acting out.

Specialists Who Work with SPD

• Occupational Therapists 
• Social Workers
• Child psychologists

References

Wilmot , K. (2021, March 27). Understanding Sensory Processing Issues. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/sensory-processing-issues/understanding-sensory-processing-issues?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=evrgrn-may20-fm&gclid=CjwKCAjwmv-DBhAMEiwA7xYrd6Sy7m_B_laQ6CRuI3A5jxg5d_PWkAwr–3-cpjpANWGck7QnS9EdxoC5FoQAvD_BwE. 

Z, M., & S, S.-R. (2021, March 29). Learn Sensory Integration Basics: Sensory Integration Tools. Pathways.org. https://pathways.org/topics-of-development/sensory/?gclid=CjwKCAjwmv-DBhAMEiwA7xYrdyOeLs6oS9rBotIou1581uysmAHOml-uGag-w0icg_6sY0ICbyXkuxoCxRAQAvD_BwE.