Sensory Processing Disorder

What is SPD?

by Jackeline Gurdian, MS, OTR/L

This question is very common and one of the hardest to answer. The easiest way for me to imagine it is if you think of a traffic jam in the brain. All the information that the child is receiving from environment is having difficulty being processed.

The Sensory Processing Foundation (www.spdfoundation.net) states that:
” Sensory processing (sometimes called "sensory integration" or SI) is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Whether you are biting into a hamburger, riding a bicycle, or reading a book, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or "sensory integration.”

Common signs of SPD:

• Difficulty attending to task

• Rocking in chair or constant need to be moving

• Difficulty grading movement when needed to hold something (pencil, food, animal, etc)

• Enjoys deeps hugs or does not like to be touched at all



 

• Likes bumping into things and other people

• Poor balance

• Seeks movement in playground and enjoys rough play



 

• Need to remove tags from clothing

• Hates getting messy (during feeding and/or play)



• High or low pain tolerance

• Overall clumsy demeanor

• Picky eater

• Overly sensitive or under to noises and lights

If your child has been diagnosed with SPD or you suspect possibility, speak to your pediatrician as soon as you can, you can also contact me at speakeatplay@gmail.com for a consultation. 

Be sure to read all of our posts for more information, and sign up to receive blog updates.