Sensory Processing

What is sensory processing disorder?

Children with SPD struggle with how to process stimulation, which can cause a wide range of symptoms including hypersensitivity to sound, sight and touch, poor fine motor skills and easy distractibility. Some SPD children cannot tolerate the sound of a vacuum, while others can’t hold a pencil or struggle with social interaction.

What are the signs?

Sensory processing problems tend to come in two types, under- and over-sensitivity, although it’s common for one child to experience both kinds.

Hypersensitive kids are extremely reactive to sensory stimulation and can find it overwhelming. They may:

• • Be unable to tolerate bright lights and loud noises like ambulance sirens

  • Refuse to wear clothing because it feels scratchy or
    irritating—even after cutting out all the tags and labels-or shoes
    because they feel “too tight.”

  • Be distracted by background noises that others don’t seem to hear

  • Be fearful of surprise touch, avoid hugs and cuddling even with familiar adults

  • Be overly fearful of swings and playground equipment

  • Often have trouble understanding where their body is in relation to other objects or people

  • Bump into things and appear clumsy

  • Have trouble sensing the amount of force they’re applying; so for example, they may rip the paper when erasing, pinch too hard or slam objects down.

Hyposensitive kids are under-sensitive, which makes them want to seek out more sensory stimulation. They may:

• Have a constant need to touch people or textures, even when it’s not socially acceptable

• Not understand personal space even when kids the same age are old enough to understand it

• Have an extremely high tolerance for pain

• Not understand their own strength

• Be very fidgety and unable to sit still

• Love jumping, bumping and crashing activities

• Enjoy deep pressure like tight bear hugs

• Crave fast, spinning and/or intense movement

• Love being tossed in the air and jumping on furniture and trampolines.