Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is
a neurophysiologic condition in which sensory input either from the environment
or from one’s body is poorly detected, modulated, or interpreted and/or to
which abnormal responses are observed in the context in which they find
themselves in.
Ground-breaking occupational
therapist, psychologist, and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., likened SPD
to a neurological “traffic jam” that prevents certain parts of the brain from
receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. Most
people are surprised to find out that we actually have eight sensory systems (rather
than five):
·
Auditory: Hearing
·
Gustatory: Oral/Taste
·
Interoceptive: Internal Body Needs (Hunger)
·
Olfactory: Smell
·
Proprioceptive: Body Awareness
·
Tactile: Touch
·
Vestibular: Balance
·
Visual: Sight
Adults with SPD may exhibit the following signs:
·
Experiencing
muted sights, sounds, and touch
·
Feeling
that a dimness is over the outside world
·
Frequent
feelings of sensory overload
Many adults describe the feeling of SPD as being assaulted, attacked, or invaded by everyday experiences. They are bothered by sounds or textures that most people don’t hear or feel. These experiences can become physically and emotionally unbearable and extremely distracting. Even loose hair on their neck or wrinkles in the sheets can be a source of agitation. The following are common triggers for SPD discomfort:
·
Being
touched (or hugged)
·
Bright
lights like camera flashes, sunshine, or strobes
·
Hair
brushing
·
Loud
noises such as fireworks (or thunder)
·
Sticky
fingers
·
Strong
odors including perfume (or scented detergent)
·
Swimming
in lakes
·
Tags
on clothes
·
Tart
or bitter foods
·
Tight
clothes (or coarse fabric)
·
Wearing
shoes
Below are common signs of SPD at home:
·
Caftans
are your favorite article of clothing (anything that’s loose and breezy).
·
During
thunderstorms, you put on your sound cancelling headphones and zone out until
it’s over. The loud noise is too much.
·
While
you love a dip in the pool, the mud and sand of lakes ruins the fun of swimming
for you.
·
Even
though you love your significant other, you hate when he gives you big bear
hugs.
·
You
avoid group family photos at the holidays. The bright flashes set you off.
·
At
the mall, you avoid walking through the perfume department at all costs.
·
Even
when exhausted, you can’t stomach coffee. It’s too bitter.
·
Sometimes
the texture of food is so repulsive; you have to spit it out.
Below are
similar observations of SPD at work:
·
When
your co-worker plays music at her desk, you’re always asking, “Can you turn
down the volume?”
·
You’d
rather go hungry than eat a mushy banana while working through lunch.
·
Giving
presentations is your worst nightmare. No matter how much you practice, you
stumble over the words.
·
When
the fluorescent light bulbs start to flicker, you are always the first person
to call the office superintendent. The flashing light makes you instantly
nauseous.
·
Instead
of writing sticky notes, you type your to-do lists. You can’t even read your
own writing.
·
Being
in a crowded elevator with more than four people makes you want to break out
and run.
SPD treatment often means working with an occupational therapist on activities that help retrain the senses. Many therapists use a sensory integration approach that begins in a controlled, stimulating environment, and focuses on making SPD easier to manage in day-to-day life. Over time, the goal is to extend these learned, appropriate responses outside of the clinic to home, school, and life.
Treatment may include a “sensory diet” wherein activities are introduced in a gentle, fun way in order to ease into a range of sensations. This approach is most effective with patients who practice at home. The goal of all these therapies is to improve everyday life skills including:
·
How
you touch (and are touched)
·
How
you move (and are moved)
·
Bilateral
coordination (using both sides of the body together)
·
Eye
motor skills (how you read/watch a ball coming towards you)
Sensory organizing is a system designed to prioritize a patients’ needs, and create an environment that maximizes strengths and minimizes challenges. This involves prioritizing tasks and routines into short and simple steps that limit the sensory exposure an easily over-stimulated patient must endure. Putting away clean laundry could break down into: fold clothes, take them to the appropriate room, and put them away in the correct drawers.
Sound-blocking headphones may help regulate environmental noise, as can other tools designed to make stimuli less invasive. Wearing tag-free clothing that is loose fitting can help. Placing a fragrant sachet in your pocket to cover offending odors, or wearing a scarf to cover your nose are also good strategies.
Wear sunglasses under bright lights, and take frequent breaks when visiting large, overwhelming places together. For adults who experience under-stimulation, intense activities can help like running, swimming hard, jumping on a trampoline, or martial arts. People who are easily overstimulated find relief from reading (visual or audio), listening to a favorite calm musical selection, petting a dog or cat, or gardening.
“Sensory
Processing Disorder knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries, no family
income, lifestyle, or educational levels. Sensory Processing Disorder can
affect [anyone].”
(Anonymous)[i]
[i] Sources used:
“Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder “by Star Institute
“What is Sensory Processing Awareness Month?” by Lemon Lime Adventures
“Sensory Processing Disorder” by WebMD
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