Sensory Processing Disorder

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She fidgets constantly. She is almost always making noise. She loves spicy food. She plays so roughly, crashing toys into one another. She doesn't seem to know where her body ends and the rest of the world starts. She trips over her own feet. She is so intense.

He lays on the floor a lot. He is afraid of playgrounds. He hates the tags on his shirt, to the point where I need to cut them off because they drive him crazy. Everything seems to be too loud for him. I don't know if he understands the world around him, because he seems to be scared of becoming involved. 

And they scream - about things that we don't understand. The meltdowns are sudden and severe. 

__________

Even though it seems like these kids are completely opposite, both are descriptions of children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD - sometimes known as Sensory Integration Disorder, or SID). Parenting a child with SPD can be extremely difficult, because unless you have similar struggles, you will never truly understand what it feels like to live in a body that doesn't process sensory information properly. People with SPD have a hard time appropriately acting on information received through the senses, and that can make certain social situations difficult to navigate. 

So, what causes Sensory Processing Disorder? 

The exact cause has not yet been identified, according to Lucy Jane Miller - author of Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder. The most important thing for parents to know, is that their parenting style hasn't caused their child to have SPD. Studies have shown that it is likely a neurodevelopmental disorder, and if so, the cause has been coded into your child's genetic material. 

Is Sensory Processing Disorder the same as Autism? 

A significant number of kids with an Autism Spectrum Disorder have problems with sensory integration - yet studies have shown that most children with SPD are not on the spectrum. The Autism Spectrum has certainly got a sensory component, but there are other signs that are primary social. 

Sensory Processing Disorder looks a lot like ADHD - is it the same? 

SPD is a fairly new diagnosis, and through the years many children have been misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It's no secret that the two disorders present in a similar way, but the treatment can be extremely different. ADHD is often treated with medication, and SPD is treated by addressing sensory needs.

What do I do if my child displays signs of Sensory Processing Disorder? 

Find a good Occupational Therapist (OT). Ask around for a referral, some children at your child's school may be seeing an OT outside of school hours, and their parents are your best resource. Some Occupational Therapists will treat SPD with a therapeutic listening program, which are a series of uncompressed music files that affect brain activity. And OT will also help provide your child with a myriad of sensory experiences, and a "sensory diet" to assist self regulation. 

What is the role of a Behavior Specialist when it comes to a child with SPD? 

Many of the signs of SPD are behavioral, though they come from sensory needs. Behavior Specialists can help you with parenting a special needs child - making realistic goals, helping you ride the waves of a meltdown, and making plans to manage your child's behavioral effect on the family unit. We can help you function together as a stronger family, despite the difficulties presented with SPD. 

How do I know which behaviors are in my child's control, and which are directly caused by SPD?

This is the age old question, asked by every parent of a child with special needs. It may make you feel better to understand that there is no definitive answer, and your question is likely to be looming for years to come. We highly recommend researching SPD to gain a better understanding of your child's disorder - and therefore become closer to knowing why they do what they do.

What are some resources that will help me? 

The Out of Sync Child - by Carol Stock Kranowitz

The Out of Sync Child has Fun - by Carol Stock Kranowitz

SPD Foundation - www.spdfoundation.net 

Vital Sounds - www.vitalsounds.com

If you are living in the San Francisco Bay Area and would like to talk to a Behavior Specialist about your child's SPD, contact us at info@kahlonfamilyservices.com