Our son was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder at the age of 3. Check out our previous posts about his diagnosis and more information on how the sensory system works!
This brain-body process is taking place every second of every day and through it we form our perception of the world. This process is called sensory processing. How we sense, experience, and feel the world is critical to safety and helps us move our bodies, complete tasks, make friends, and fall in love. Making sense of sensation is what makes us successful.
Sometimes the brain receives the sensory information from the nerves in our nervous system, but it cannot organize the information in time or well enough to provide and appropriate response back to the body. There is an interruption somewhere in the cycle of sensory processing. This is why many times someone with SPD may not respond appropriately to a situation. Their brain simply cannot provide the appropriate response because the process was not successful. Sometimes the brain cannot process it at all and result in a sensory overload. At that point no new sensory information can be received until the overload is resolved. The response of an overload is a meltdown. This is not a temper tantrum and cannot be resolved nor should it be resolved with discipline. Check out a future blog on how to tell the difference between sensory overload meltdown and a temper tantrum.
There are two types of sensory processing challenges, and many kids experience a mix of the two. One is oversensitivity (hypersensitivity). This leads to sensory avoiding. This is when kids avoid sensory input because it’s too overwhelming. The other is undersensitivity (hyposensitivity). This causes kids to be sensory seeking — they look for more sensory stimulation.
Some kids may be both sensory avoiding and sensory seeking. They may be oversensitive to some sensations, and under sensitive to others. My son is an avoider when it comes to sound and light. He is a seeker when it comes to touch, vestibular, and proprioceptive. He is both when it comes to smell and taste. It depends on what it is. A child’s reactions can also change from one day to the next, or even throughout the day, depending on the environment or situation. This is why it may be hard to plan ahead. We always plan for both responses if it is possible.
You can determine which categories your child fits into based on how they respond to each kind of situation. Often, kids with sensory processing issues are oversensitive. They try to avoid sensations they find intolerable. But some kids seek more sensory input, not less. They may want to touch things and feel physical contact and pressure. They may also be under sensitive to pain and have an unusually high tolerance for it. That’s why they may prefer playing rough and not understand if they’re hurting someone.
Sensory processing disorder signals:
If you suspect your child may have SPD, take note of the signs and symptoms you see. Take note of where and when it happens. Knowing what was going on and what the trigger to the response was is just as important as the symptom. This will tell you if your child is avoiding the sensory stimuli or seeking it. Keep in mind that kids aren’t always one or the other. Some kids may be sensory seeking in certain situations and sensory avoiding in others, depending on how that child is coping or self-regulating at the time. That’s why it’s so important to observe your child’s reactions and to try to see what triggers them.
Sensory Avoiding
Kids who are sensory avoiding may react to a wide range of triggers. These can include loud sounds, uncomfortable clothing, crowded spaces, or certain food smells or textures, among others. Whatever the trigger, the reaction can sometimes be extreme. Sensory overload can lead to sensory meltdowns. These are very different from tantrums because they’re out of the child’s control.
Here are some other signs you might see in your child:
Is easily overwhelmed by people and places
Seeks out quiet spots in noisy, crowded environments
Is easily startled by sudden noises
Is bothered by bright light
Refuses to wear itchy or otherwise uncomfortable clothing
Avoids touching people or hugging them
Has a strong reaction to the texture or smell of certain foods
Refuses to try new foods and has a very limited diet of preferred foods
Gets upset about small changes in routine or environment and avoids trying new things
Sensory seeking
Kids who are under sensitive to sensory input have the opposite situation. They often have a need for movement. And they may seek out input like spicy or sour tastes and physical contact and pressure.
Here are some other signs you might see in your child at different ages:
Constantly touches objects
Plays roughly and takes physical risks
Has a high tolerance for pain
Often squirms and fidgets
Is constantly on the move
Invades other people’s personal space
Often gets distracted or feels anxious
Is clumsy and uncoordinated
If you think that your child has SPD, talk to your child's pediatrician. This is not an official diagnosis as it is not recognized as an official diagnosis. This is because doctors are still not in agreement in many areas of this disorder. Many times this happens with other disorders, like ADHD, ODD, or Autism. Many children that experience this also are at the age that they are developing their sensory system which would be misinterpreted as SPD. The concern is when these items are (1) affecting the child's life or school experience a great deal or (2) It lasts beyond preschool/ VPK. The doctor can recommend an occupational therapist to do an evaluation . This is the therapist that would help with helping your child cope with sensory challenges. Even though it is not recognized as an official diagnosis, this is a very real disorder and it has affected our lives so much. Knowing what is happening in my son's brain is so helpful in knowing how to help him cope with his challenges and to understand what he is going through.
Check out my next post, which will be how to know if what your child is experiencing is Autism or SPD.
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