Are you or your child struggling with sensory processing disorder (SPD)? Our therapists at Wisdom Within Counseling can help those with SPD.
What is Sensory Processing?
During the day, you experience sensory aspects of life. For example, you may find that walking your dog helps you feel more relaxed during the day. You may also find that listening to music can help you feel more energized. Everything you do has a sensory aspect, even if you don’t think about it. How the process works and the impact they have on you is something you never think about.
Your body has systems that register sensory information so you can process it and feel the way you feel about something. Ultimately your sensory processing impacts your feelings.
All of your senses come together to build your world around you. How you experience these senses helps you work, play, and enjoy life. We call this sensory processing.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
Ultimately, sensory processing disorder (SPD) prevents areas of the brain from receiving the signals needed to interpret sensory information or stimuli. Sensory information includes any information your brain receives from the five senses. As a result, individuals with SPD are overly sensitive to certain stimuli.
For example, individuals might not respond well to a weight loss coach who yells at them because the sound of the yelling is too loud. On the other hand, it can also do the opposite to a person, which means that it takes more for a certain stimulus to impact someone. For example, someone might not be affected by a dog barking loudly next to them while everyone else thinks it’s too loud.
Both adults and children can have symptoms of SPD, although it’s more common in children. However, adults with SPD typically develop ways to deal with it so it doesn’t impact their everyday lives. For example, those who are sensitive to sound may avoid loud noises or areas.
What Causes SPD?
The cause of SPD hasn’t been identified as of yet, but research suggests it’s an inherited disorder that can be linked to prenatal and birth complications
To begin, click the button below and get started in therapy for sensory processing disorder (SPD)!
Symptoms of SPD
SPD can affect any of the senses or all of them. Children with SPD get upset from sounds, the feeling of clothing, and the texture of certain foods. However, they can also underreact to it. For example, they may not feel how hot their hot cocoa is before drinking it and burning their tongues. This can result in many individuals craving more stimuli. Examples include swinging too high on the playground or enjoying steaming hot foods.
Children with SPD may exhibit a mixture of being oversensitive and undersensitive. For example, they may feel like their clothes are scratchy and uncomfortable, but loud sounds don’t upset them.
Examples of oversensitive includes:
- Clothes feeling itchy
- Lights being too bright
- Soft things feel hard
- Sounds are too loud
- Food textures make them sick
- Tantrums
- Being unable to spend time with others
- React poorly to sudden movements
The symptoms of SPD may be linked to poor motor skills. For example, they might have a difficult time holding a pencil because it feels too hard in their hands. They might also have difficulty running or walking upstairs.
Older children may have low confidence, which can lead to social isolation and depression.
Under-sensitivity includes:
- Unable to sit still
- Thrill-seeking behavior
- Spinning without getting dizzy
- Chewing on objects like clothing
- Need for visual stimulation
- Can’t recognize when their nose is running
- Playing too rough
- Not being able to hold a pencil
How Do We Diagnose Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
Doctors do not easily diagnose SPD unless the parents notice something about their child that isn’t typical. If you notice any behavioral issues you can’t explain, discuss them with your doctor or occupational therapist, who can assess them for SPD. For example, if you notice your child finds every day sounds too loud or complain that their clothes are itchy, it’s time to find a doctor. A professional will watch your child interact with stimuli and ask them questions to make a diagnosis.
Can You Prevent SPD?
You cannot prevent SPD because there is no known cause for SPD.
Can We Treat Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
Even though SPD can’t be prevented, it can be treated through therapy. Starting therapy early can help treat SPD quicker so children learn how to easily manage the challenges associated with having SPD.
Therapy should be led by a trained therapist who has worked with those suffering from SPD. This individual will help your child and parent learn how to cope with the challenges of the disorder. We individualize therapy sessions for your child’s needs. A therapist might use one or more of these types of therapy:
- Sensory Integration Therapy: SI Therapy uses activities in a controlled environment to help your child experience stimuli without feeling overwhelmed so they can develop coping skills.
- Sensory Diet: A sensory diet will likely be used with another therapy and has nothing to do with food unless your child has symptoms related to eating. Instead, a sensory diet gives you and your child activities to do at home that will help them stay focused during the day.
- Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy will be used when your child has symptoms of SPD that affect their motor skills, such as climbing stairs or holding a pencil.
Life With SPD
Living with SPD can be difficult for both children and adults. However, you must stay focused and keep up with therapy. Instead of simply avoiding situations that might upset you or your child, continue to follow the advice of the therapist so your child learns the necessary skills to cope better when they’re older.
SPD can get better with age and therapy, but it may never completely disappear. In addition, stress can trigger symptoms, so it’s important to learn how to manage stress while managing the SPD symptoms.
The good news is that many individuals with SPD live happy, healthy lives because they’ve learned how to manage their symptoms, stress, and lives. By learning techniques from a therapist, they can hold down regular jobs and live on their own.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, our specialized therapists can help you or your child with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)!
Our therapists work with individuals of all ages and abilities. We are an LGBTQIA+ affirming practice and would love to support you and your family.
To begin, click the button below and get connected to a therapist for help with sensory processing disorder (SPD).
Marné Amoguis
Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.
