Written By Kristine Yung

What is sensory processing?

Sensory processing is foundational to healthy development and participation in our learning and social well-being. We process sensory data without conscious thought or cognitive effort. It provides our emotional stability, sense of safety, sense of self, well-being, and the floor for our social interactions. Our sensory processing impacts every area of life.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

Sensory processing occurs when sensory signals are either not detected or don’t get organized into the appropriate responses. We know that sensory processing is how the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. A person with an impairment of their sensory system finds it difficult to process and act upon the information received through the senses. The misinformation received creates a challenge in everyday tasks, from motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, school difficulties, anxiety, or other problems.

What does Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) look like to someone?

SPD can affect an individual in only one sense, such as touch, sight, or multiple sensations. An individual may over-respond to touch sensations such as refusal of certain types of clothing, physical contact, or other tactile play such as finger painting. They find the tactile input to be intolerable. Other visual and auditory sensations can be over-responsive, as noted with sound sensitivity, covering of their ears, and difficulty with bright light or tolerance of sunlight.

Other individuals may be under-responsive, show little or no reaction to pain, or may not react to sounds despite knowing they can hear. An individual having an under-responsive touch response may be rough house frequently and unaware of their strength or the compulsive touching individual. Therefore, the individual with under-responsive may have a diminished response. The individual appears under-active or will be engaging in “sensory seeking” behavior to satisfy a basic need or desire for additional sensory input.

In children with sensory processing impairments, the messages to the muscles and joints can be impaired through posture or motor skills. Individuals demonstrate leaning on one hand when writing or leaning on walls or often prefer not to move and seek the auditory/visual input from electronic devices. The individuals demonstrate dyspraxia or motor planning difficulties. In addition, individuals who are always seeking movement result in them becoming dysregulated. This dysregulation that the individual experiences may indicate a problem with sensory modulation, resulting in misdiagnosis with ADHD.

References:

Biel, L., & Peske, N. K. (2018). Raising a sensory smart child: The definitive handbook for helping your child with sensory processing issues. Penguin Books.

Miller, L. J., Fuller, D. A., & Roetenberg, J. (2014). Sensational kids: Hope and help for children with sensory processing disorder (SPD). Penguin Group.