Sensory Processing Disorder

Symptoms of SPD

 

The Body has Eight Sensory Systems:

 

1. Visual

2. Auditory

3. Tactile (touch)

4. Olfactory (smell)

5. Gustatory (taste)

6. Vestibular (balance, orientation, acceleration/deceleration

7. Proprioception (sense of relative position of body parts)

8. Interoception (often neglected, relating to internal sensations such as hunger)

(Kranowitz, 1998)

 

Sensory Processing Disorder can can affect one or more of these sensory systems, resulting in thousands of possible symptoms.  Because of this, SPD can seemingly follow no rules, assuming a new identity everyday.  These are some of the forms of SPD one might encounter.  

 

SENSORY DEFENSIVE:  The child with this form of SPD feels too much.  S/he is easily overstimulated by his/her environment.  Everything is TOO LOUD, TOO FAST, TOO BRIGHT!!! The nervous system is extra sensitive in this case, causing the child to be overwhelmed by his/her surroundings (eMentalHealth, 2016).

 

SENSORY-SEEKERS: This child can't get enough.  Sensory seekers have a seemingly insatiable desire for more stimulation.  They want to touch, chew, swing, spin, squeeze, lift, bounce, rock everything (eMentalHealth, 2016).

 

SENSORY-UNDER RESPONSIVE: This child neither craves nor hates sensory input.  In fact, it may seem that sensory stimulation does not even register.  The under responsive child is passive, possibly lethargic, and may seem bored (eMentalHealth, 2016).