Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)By Alyssa Clements

The Central Nervous System

0Visual0Auditory0Tactile (touch)0Olfactory (smell)0Gustatory (taste)0Vestibular (balance)0Proprioception (body position)

A Typical Sensory System

0The senses receive stimulus from the environment. 0The sensory system sends the information to the

brain.0The brain interprets the information and sends out a

behavioral command to the body. 0The body reacts.

0 Examples: Touching a hot burner, sunlight, loud noise

A Sensory System with SPD0Sensory Processing Disorder/Sensory Integration

Dysfunction0A. Jean Ayres, PhD. – Occupational therapist and

neuroscientist, 1960-19800SPD is a condition which prevents the brain from

receiving information from the sensory system in order to process and act upon it (“traffic jam”).

0 Individuals with SPD may be unable to from perform everyday tasks and may characterized with clumsiness, behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, and academic failure.

SPD Spectrum

0SPD may affect just 1 or more of the 7 senses in any combination.

0Overstimulation vs. Under-stimulation 0High intensity vs. low intensity0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O6Cm0WxEZA

The Cause of SPD

0An exact cause has not yet been determined but is being researched.

0Possible hypotheses include:0 Heredity/Genetics 0 Prenatal or birthing complications0 Environmental causes

Symptoms of SPD0 Infants and toddlers

____ Problems eating or sleeping____ Refuses to go to anyone but me____ Irritable when being dressed; uncomfortable in clothes____ Rarely plays with toys____ Resists cuddling, arches away when held____ Cannot calm self____ Floppy or stiff body, motor delays

0 Pre-school age____ Over-sensitive to touch, noises, smells, other people____ Difficulty making friends____ Difficulty dressing, eating, sleeping, and/or toilet training____ Clumsy; poor motor skills; weak____ In constant motion; in everyone else's face and space____ Frequent or long temper tantrums

Symptoms of SPD0 Grade school age

___ Over-sensitive to touch, noise, smells, other people___ Easily distracted, fidgety, craves movement; aggressive___ Easily overwhelmed___ Difficulty with handwriting or motor activities___ Difficulty making friends___ Unaware of pain and/or other people

0 Adolescents and adults___ Over-sensitive to touch, noise, smells, and other people___ Poor self-esteem; afraid of failing at new tasks___ Lethargic and slow___ Always on the go; impulsive; distractible___ Leaves tasks uncompleted___ Clumsy, slow, poor motor skills or handwriting___ Difficulty staying focused___ Difficulty staying focused at work and in meetings

Diagnosis & Intervention0 Intervention is more effective with young children

because their brains are still developing and can be changed more easily.

0Early intervention can reduce labeling, poor academics, and stressed family life.

0Because the symptoms of SPD and ADHD can be so similar, many children are often misdiagnosed with ADHD and do not receive the proper treatment.

0Many children never receive treatment and live with SPD their entire lives.

Occupational Therapy0The most common treatment for SPD is Occupational

Therapy – a controlled play environment.0The goal is self-regulation.0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-jqtlwfw5M0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlVUw

Sources0 About SPD. Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation. 2012. Web. Accessed 01

April 2014. http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html

0 A Child’s View of Sensory Processing. Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain, Inc. 2012. Web. Accessed 01 April 2014. http

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlVUw. 0 How Occupational Therapy Helps with Sensory Integration Issues. Pathways. 2013.

Web. Accessed 01 April 2014. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-jqtlwfw5M.

0 Kranowitz, Carol Stock. The Out-of-Sync Child. New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 1998. Print.

0 What Is Sensory Processing Disorder? SensoryTeamHandbook.com. 2009. Web. Accessed 01 April 2014. http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O6Cm0WxEZA.0 Willimason, G. Gordon & Marie E. Anzalone. Sensory Integration and Self-

Regualtion in Infants and Toddlers. Washington D.C.: Zero to Three, 2001. Print.