How to Recognize a “sensory Processing Disorder” in Your Child
Sensory Processing Disorder (or SPD) is a neurological condition in which a person is unable to interpret external or internal stimuli in the way a “neurotypical” person would. You know your five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. A person with SPD may not like bright lights, loud sirens, or strong smells. However, there are still sensations of oneself in space (proprioception) and movement (vestibular). People with SPD may be hypersensitive and avoid overstimulation , or hyposensitive, and these may be referred to as “sensory seeking”.
“Every sensory system is a cup,” says Samantha Davis, an occupational therapist at the Kidsplay Therapy Center . “Our systems are ideally a good medium-sized cup,” but for hypersensitive children, the cups are small. Stimuli such as loud noises “will cause their bowl to overflow and may end in emotional outbursts, behaviors or, in some children, blackouts.” However, the sense seeker has a big bowl – “but because their bowl is so big, it takes a lot of effort to fill it.” They may like spicy food or swing over and over again.
How do you know if your child has SBP?
When my own daughter was 2 years old, I noticed that she was different from other kids we interacted with. She avoided being touched by other children and loved to jump from scary jungle gyms. She also had severe tantrums and had trouble eating solid foods . I knew that autistic children often had sensory sensitivity , but she had no other signs of autism. I found a checklist from Sensory Smart Parent and she met the criteria in several categories for both hyper and hyposensitivity.
Her pediatrician agreed that it sounded like sensory issues and referred us to a private occupational therapist for an evaluation. She was later included in the early intervention program through our district’s school district. I found out that we could also start there to get a free estimate and services. If you are wondering if your child may have SPD, ask your insurance company about private OT services – many of these tests and treatments are covered.
What is the connection between SPD, autism and ADHD?
“At the moment, there is no clear link between why people on the autism spectrum or who have ADHD also have SPD,” says Davis. But “sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and ADHD are all neurological disorders. SPD is a comorbidity of two disorders, although not every person with ASD or ADHD will also have SPD, as is often the case. In fact, it is estimated that more than half of people with ADHD also have SPD, and sensory deficits are one of the diagnostic criteria for ASD.” There is also a correlation between anxiety and SPD.
In addition, a study has been conducted that indicates that intellectually gifted students are more likely to have sensory sensitivity and SPD. However, sensitivity or the presence of another diagnosis, such as ADHD or SPD, can make it difficult to identify an intellectually gifted student because they do not always perform well on tests. Ironically, as a teacher of gifted students, I can say that my gifted students were significantly more sensitive than the general population.
How to help your child deal with SPD
Occupational therapy is a great idea if your child has sensory sensitivities. They are trained to tailor the “sensory diet” to your child’s specific needs and are able to see things through an OT lens that the rest of us may not see. For example, our OT noticed that one of the reasons my daughter had problems with solid foods was that she wasn’t turning the food enough in her mouth. She did a special feeding therapy to solve this problem.
“Parents can help their children by first listening to them, identifying the root cause of the problem behavior, and finding a way to address the issue,” says Caitlin Sunshagreen, OT, co-founder and owner of Bright SpOT Pediatric Therapy . “Modifications can be small but very effective. Even switching from gel to spray disinfectant can make a huge difference to a tactilely defensive child.”
Sanshagrin says children with SPD should work on their skills in self-defense, sensory exploration , and emotional regulation. Give your child the opportunity to voice their opinions and boundaries, engage in dirty or risky play , and practice mindfulness and calming skills .
How to talk about your child’s NPD at school
SPD is not included in DSM-5, the official criteria for mental health, so it is not always suitable for special education services. Paulette Selman , a school psychologist and special education advocate in Oregon and Washington, explains: “When children have a medical or clinical diagnosis that affects their performance in school, they fall under the special category of Other Health Disorders, but because of its exceptions to the DSM-5, some children are not eligible for services with only a diagnosis of SPD. Selman says that for school-aged children, your school may offer either an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 for a child with sensory issues, whether or not they meet SPD criteria, if they also have another diagnosis, or if “there are delays in learning, behavior or socialization”. If it “significantly limits” school performance, you may be able to get accommodations.
If your child doesn’t need or qualify for special education, Selman stresses that home-to-school communication is especially important “for kids who often behave at school.” She suggests holding a “group meeting” with teachers, the principal, or any other staff working with your child to “review the doctor’s recommendations for school support and get feedback from the teacher about whether the child needs something different than everyone else.” “.
Sunshagreen also suggests giving teachers and staff “cheat sheets” for your child that contain “a brief description of the child’s personality, interests and strengths, and inform them about what strategies work and which don’t,” she says. . I also review “triggers” with teachers so they know what to look for before relapse to avoid it.
Lifetime adaptations
Remember that SPD is not something that needs to be “fixed”, it is something that needs to be adjusted. By giving our children the tools and skills to manage their bodies and emotions, we can help them turn on their wonderful sensitivity and notice all the sensations around them without being overwhelmed.