What is a sensory processing disorder?
SPD or Sensory Processing Disorder is an ailment that affects how a person's brain processes stimuli or sensory information stimuli. Sensory information comprises things you touch, taste, see, smell, or hear. SPD can influence all of your senses, or sometimes only one. Sensory Processing Disorder usually means you're excessively sensitive to provocations that other people might not be. But this condition can also cause the opposite effect. In such cases, it takes more stimuli to impact a person.
Children are highly likely to have SPD than most adults. But adults can develop symptoms, too. In grown-ups, it's expected these indicators have existed since their childhood. However, they have found ways to deal with Sensory Processing Disorders that let them conceal their disorder from other people, be it family, friends, or anyone else.
There has been some discussion among doctors regarding Sensory Processing Disorder and whether it is a separate disorder. Some specialists argue it isn't, while others say it's an analysis of things that could be justified as standard behavior in children. Some doctors suggest that some children might feel just highly delicate.
Some specialists say that Sensory Processing Disorder is a symptom of other illnesses — such as hyperactivity, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, etc. — and not a separate disorder. Others believe a child can suffer from Sensory Processing Disorder without any other disorder. Some doctors say that it is clear that certain children have problems managing stimuli or regular sensory information. As of now, Sensory Processing Disorder isn't acknowledged as a distinct medical identification.
Sensory Processing Disorder is an ailment in which the human brain has trouble obtaining and reacting to information that is gained through the five primary senses, i.e., sense of touch, taste, sight, smell, or hearing. Previously known as sensory integration disorder, it is not presently acknowledged as an official medical diagnosis.
People with SPD are hypersensitive to things in their surroundings. Familiar sounds or noises may be overwhelming or even painful at times. The slight touch of cloth may scrape the skin.
People with sensory processing disorder may:
- Bump into things
- Be uncoordinated
- Be challenging to play or engage in conversation with
- Be incapable of differentiating where their limbs are
Sensory processing issues are usually recognized in children. But they can also severely affect adults. Sensory processing difficulties are typically seen in developmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder.
SPD is not acknowledged as a separate disorder. But many medical specialists think that it should be modified.
Causes of Sensory Processing Disorder:
Specialists are not aware of what causes Sensory Processing Disorder. They have been exploring a genetic link to the illness, which means it could run in relatives and families. Some doctors believe there could be a connection between Sensory Processing Disorder and autism. This could indicate that adults who have autism might be more likely to have children who will have Sensory Processing Disorders. But it's necessary to note that most people with Sensory Processing Disorder don't have autism.
The exact causes of sensory processing issues have not yet been identified. But a decade-old study of twins found that oversensitivity to sound and light may have a vital hereditary component.
Other tests have shown that children with sensory processing difficulties have irregular brain activity when they are instantaneously exposed to sound and light.
Several other experiments have revealed that children with sensory processing troubles will continue to respond intensely to a loud sound or a gentle stroke on the hand, while other children rapidly get used to these sensations.
Diagnoses of sensory processing disorder:
Parents may identify that their child's behavior is not usual. But most parents might not know why so. Do not be scared to discuss your child's behavior with doctors or medical specialists. The doctor may refer you to a professional therapist. These experts can evaluate your child for Sensory Processing Disorder. They will likely examine your child's interact in certain situations. The therapists will ask the children specific questions. All of these factors will help the specialist make a diagnosis.
Living with a sensory processing disorder
Living with Sensory Processing Disorder can be difficult. Parents of children with Sensory Processing Disorders can feel unaided. They might even avoid taking their child out in public to evade sensory overload in their children. Parents may also have to make excuses for their children's erratic behavior.
Adults who have Sensory Processing Disorders may also feel isolated. Sensory overload can stop them from leaving their house. This can make it hard to go to work or the store.
Adults struggling with Sensory Processing Disorder should work with a professional therapist. The therapist can help them learn new responses to stimuli. This can cause changes in how adults deal with particular situations. And that can lead to an enhanced lifestyle.
Sometimes, even if Sensory Processing Disorder gets better with age or therapy, it might never go away. Stress or a significant life event can trigger symptoms.
Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder in Adults:
Adults with SPD or Sensory Processing Disorder feel attacked by the world and its strong perfumes, ticking clocks, and buzzing lights. If everyday textures and sounds feel excruciatingly distracting, read below to learn about the symptoms and signs of SPD in grown-ups.
Sensory Processing Disorder manifests in many tiny, sometimes infuriating ways. Scratchy tags on clothes may be intolerable. Loud music is unbearable. Perfume is simply disgusting. Whatever the particular symptoms, Sensory Processing Disorder makes it problematic to interact with the daily environment. This influences how you study and learn, relate to others, participate in group activities and sports, and follow your visions and dreams.
It is a challenging and unique neurological illness related to inefficient management of sensory information frequently found with ADHD in adults and deserves meaningful and constant support.
SPD disrupts how the brain takes in, arranges, and uses the information received through the body's various receptors. We take sensory info through our muscles, eyes, ears, inner ears, joints, and skin and use these sensations for appropriate and immediate everyday functioning.
For instance, you hear a truck coming down the road as you're just about to cross the street, and the noise tells you to "Jump back." You don't actively think about it; you just react automatically if everything is going well. But with Sensory Processing Disorder, that processing delays. For people with SPD, internal and external sensory stimuli can cause signals to fail — and problems in emotions, relationships, and movement to manifest.
Grown-ups with Sensory Processing Disorder may display the following symptoms:
- Feeling that a shadow is pulled over the world.
- Experiencing muted touch sights and sounds.
- Frequent sensory overload feelings.
Sensory Processing Disorder can cause difficulties in everything from eating to grooming to getting dressed— and that's only the before leaving for work. Listed below are common triggers for distress:
- Hair brushing
- Coarse fabric
- Tight clothes
- Tags on clothes
- Loud noises such as thunder or fireworks
- Bright lights like sunshine, strobes, or camera flashes
- Strong odors, including scented detergent or perfume
- Sticky fingers
- Swimming in lakes
- Being touched or hugged
- Tart or bitter foods
- Wearing shoes
If you are oversensitive to the point that it delays your functioning, you may have a Sensory Processing Disorder. Many people describe the feeling as being attacked, invaded, or assaulted by everyday chores and experiences. They are bothered by textures or sounds that most people don't feel or hear. These occurrences can become emotionally and physically unbearable and highly disrupting. Even wrinkles in the sheets or loose hair on their neck can be a source of anxiety.
SPD, however, should not be confused for SPS, i.e., Sensory Processing Sensitivity, a biologically-based trait described by increased sensitivity and awareness of the environment. SPS is not linked to dysregulation but with a depth of processing and understanding, requiring time to process stimuli and information.
Symptoms at home:
You've always hated thunder and storms. You don't own any woolen hats. These and some other common manifestations of Sensory Processing Disorder may be apparent at home:
- Anything that's breezy and loose is your favorite clothing like caftans.
- During storms, you put on sound-cancelling headphones and zone out until it's all over. The loud noise is too excessive.
- Although you love a dip in the water, the sand and mud of lakes ruin swimming for you.
- Although you love your significant other, you hate it when they give you big hugs.
- You tend to avoid group family photos during the holidays. The bright flashes of the cameras set you off.
- Even when you are exhausted, you can't drink coffee. It's too bitter.
- While shopping, you avoid the perfume department at all costs.
- Sometimes the touch of food is so disgusting that you spit it out.
SPD Symptoms at Work:
Following or similar manifestations of Sensory Processing Disorder may be visible at work:
- Giving presentations is one of your worst nightmares. No matter how many times you practice, you trip over the words.
- You'd instead go starving than eat a gooey banana while working through lunch time.
- The flashing light bulbs make you instantly queasy.
- Instead of jotting down Post-It notes, you type to-do lists. You can't even read your own handwriting.
- Being in an elevator with more than four people makes you claustrophobic and want to escape.
If you experience similar symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder, consult a mental health professional or a doctor for a formal evaluation.
Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder:
SPD or Sensory Processing Disorder can affect multiple senses or just one sense. Children who suffer from SPD may overreact to food textures, sounds, and clothing. Or they may even underreact to sensory information. This causes them to need more thrill-seeking and intense stimuli. Some instances include leaping off high things or hanging too high from swings on the playground. Also, children with Sensory Processing Disorder are not always just one specific sensitivity or the other. Depending on their surroundings, they can be a mixture of under-sensitive and oversensitive.
SPD can affect one of the five senses, like taste, hearing, or touch. Or it can affect numerous senses. And certain people can be under- or over-responsive to the fixations they have problems with.
Like many diseases, the symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder exist in a specific range.
In particular children, for instance, the sound of a leaf blower out the window may cause them to dive under the table or vomit. They might scream when you touch them. They might withdraw from the textures of particular foods. But some others seem insensitive to anything and everything in their surroundings. They may even be unresponsive to extreme cold or heat or even pain.
Most children with Sensory Processing Disorder start as overly fussy babies who become nervous and anxious as adults. More often than not, these kids don't manage change well. They might frequently have meltdowns or throw tantrums.
Many children have signs like these from time to time. But medical specialists consider a diagnosis of SPD when the symptoms have become severe enough to influence the normal functioning of everyday life and might disrupt it.
Oversensitive children:
Children may be temperamental if:
- They feel that the lights seem too bright.
- They think their clothing feels too itchy or scratchy.
- They sense that soft touches feel too stiff.
- The sounds seem too loud to them.
- Food textures make them gag.
- They are scared to play on the swings.
- They appear clumsy or have poor balance.
- They react poorly to loud noises, bright lights, sudden movements, or touches.
- They have behavior problems.
Sometimes these symptoms are connected to poor motor skills also. Your child may have problems holding scissors or a pencil. They may have low muscle tone or issues climbing the stairs. They might also have language setbacks.
In older children, these symptoms can cause low self-esteem and low self-confidence. This can lead to social seclusion and, at times, even depression.
Under-sensitive children:
Children may be sensory-seeking or under-sensitive if:
- They can't sit still
- They can spin without getting dizzy.
- They seek thrills (love spinning, jumping, and heights).
- They don't recognize personal space.
- They don't pick up on social signals.
- They chew on things (including their clothing and hands).
- They have problems sleeping.
- They seek visual encouragement (like intelligent devices).
- They don't recognize when their nose is running or their face is dirty.