Sensational Glitches
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Description
Sensational Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition when the multisensory integration is not fully processed in order to provide appropriate behavioral responses.
Examples include:
- Individual covering their ears because they think it is too loud
- Sensitivity to light
- Problems with textures in food
- Either does not like being touched, or wants to be touched more
- Gets upset over texture in clothing
- Excessive risk taker
- Poor coordination
- May show little or no reaction to stimulation, or pain, or when hot or cold (does not react or overreacts)
Cause of Condition
The causes of SPD include
- No exact cause
- Study shown in 2006 of two twins showed that hypersensitivity to light and sound could possibly be a strong genetic component
- Birth complications
- Environmental factors are also a possibility
Symptoms and how they Manifest
Symptoms of SPD include:
In infant/toddler
- trouble falling asleep
- does not calm down when using pacifier
- constantly moving
- delay in standing, crawling, walking
In Pre-School
- difficulty with toilet training
- overly sensitive, either overreacts or does not like touch, smell, noise, etc.
- difficulty learning new motor tasks
- unexpected mood swings or temper tantrums
School Age
- easily distracted
- slow at performing tasks
- clumsy
- difficulty in speech and reading
Adolescent/Adult
- lethargic
- needs to participate in physical activities in order to focus
- uses strong forces when handling objects
- has trouble forming thoughts and ideas
Treatment for Disorder
Treatment for SPD includes
- Play-based intervention, usually found in private clinics/practices
- Ocupational Therapy
- Listening Therapy
- Other complementary therapies
- Family-centered care
New Insights
New insights gained by studying this disorder is that this condition is more common in kids than I thought. The goal with overcoming this disorder is, for the kids who have it, to guide them to have more of an organized sensory so that they can have more appropriate and healthier behavioral responses in their life.
Related Disorders
Disorders that are related to SPD include:
- ADHD
- Autism
Works Cited
"Sensory Processing Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.
"SPD Foundation - About SPD - Symptoms Checklist." SPD Foundation - About SPD - Symptoms Checklist. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.
"SPD Foundation - About SPD - Symptoms Checklist." SPD Foundation - About SPD - Symptoms Checklist. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.