Sensory Processing Disorder

What is it?

It's a neurological disorder causing difficulty with sensory processing information from one or several of the five senses or the vestibular (balance) and v/or proprioceptive (the ability to sense the orientation of ones arms or legs in the air) sense.

Cause

Exact cause of SPD has not yet been identified.

Incidence

1 in 6 children may experience sensory symptoms that maybe significant in affecting aspects of daily life.

Common Signs

  • Problems with eating or sleeping
  • Cannot calm self
  • Over sensitive to touch, smell, taste, noises, other people
  • Difficulty making friends
  • Clumsy, poor motor skills, weak
  • Easily distracted, fidgety, craves movement
  • Poor self-esteem, afraid of failing at new tasks
  • Always on the go, impulsive, easily distractible

How its diagnosed

  • Appropriately trained professionals via specific clinical criteria.

Management

May not need all types of therapy through out life:

  • Speech Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy (PT)
  • Special Education – Some are able to attend a regular or mainstream school and some cases even finish tertiary education.
  • Behaviour Management
  • Specialised Medical Care /Treatments e.g. for seizures, mental health issues

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