Sensory Processing Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.

**Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)** is a condition in which an individual's mind does not react to sensory information the way most individuals do. One may get easily overwhelmed by sound, smell, touch, taste, texture, etc. Similarly, they may be underwhelmed and desire extra stimulation.

Sensory processing disorder is not recognized as a stand-alone disorder, but many experts think that should be changed.

## Forms of SPD

Many with SPD experience multiple forms of the following.

### Sensory-Based Motor Disorder (SBMD)

SBMD is a condition in which the individual struggles with motor balance, posture coordination, and movement due to difficulties processing.

#### Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

Dyspraxia is a subset of SBMD in which the affected individual struggles with movement, posture, balance, coordination and sometimes speech due to being "out of sync" with their surroundings.

#### Postural Disoder

Postural Disorder is a subset of SBMD in which the affected individual struggles with posture, standing, and walking and easily fatigues due to sensory processing.

### Sensory Discrimination Disorder (SDD)

SDD is a condition in which the individual struggles with recognizing and interpreting sensory information. This could affect one sense or it could be multiple senses. Those with SDD often struggle to differentiate different aspects of their senses.

### Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD)

SMD is a condition in which the brain does not respond appropriately to the stimulus around an individual and thus misfocuses said stimulus. Ones mind may focus intensely on sound and may ignore other senses to do so, making sound overwhelming in the moment.

#### Sensory Craving

Sensory Craving is a condition in which ones mind desires frequent sensory stimulation due to under-responsive sensory processing.

#### Sensory Over-Responsivity

Sensory Over-Responsivity is a condition in which ones sensory processing is heightened. One may have a heightened sense of touch and may find small amounts of physical contact to be stressful and overwhelming.

#### Sensory Under-Responsivity

Sensory Under-Responsivity is a condition in which ones sensory processing is lower than usual. One may not notice injuries, may not taste food unless it has extra spice, may not process sounds around them, etc.

## Signs & Symptoms

One may be oversensitive is they:

* Think clothing feels too scratchy or itchy.
* Think lights seem too bright.
* Think sounds seem too loud.
* Think soft touches feel too hard.
* Experience food textures that make them gag.
* Have poor balance or seem clumsy.
* React poorly to sudden movements, touches, loud noises, or bright lights.

One may be undersensitive if they:

* Can't sit still.
* Seek thrills.
* Can spin without getting dizzy.
* Don't pick up on social cues.
* Don't recognize personal space.
* Chew on things.
* Seek visual stimulation.
* Have problems sleeping.
* Don't recognize when their face is dirty or nose is running.

## Causes

The exact cause of SPD has not yet been identified. Preliminary studies and research suggests that SPD is often inherited. Prenatal and birth complications have also been suggested as causes, along with certain environmental factors.

## References

1. https://www.twentyonesenses.org/eight-senses-spd/
2. https://pediatrictlc.com/sensory-based-motor-disorder/
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151951
4. https://www.spdstar.org/sites/default/files/publications/3.%20Jul.-Aug.%202012%20-%20SBMD%2C%20PD\_0.pdf
5. https://sinetwork.org/subtype-3-sensory-discrimination-disorder/
6. https://sensationalbrain.com/fundamentals/sensory-modulation-disorder-education-and-intervention/
7. https://www.webmd.com/children/sensory-processing-disorder
8. https://familydoctor.org/condition/sensory-processing-disorder-spd/
9. https://sensoryhealth.org/basic/understanding-sensory-processing-disorder