Sensory Processing Disorder
Have you ever gotten so distracted by the ticking of a clock or the sound of someone chewing that you can’t focus on anything else? Have overhead lights ever given you a headache or made you feel nauseous? Do you struggle not to fidget or feel easily distracted?
These are all classic signs of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). While most people will experience these examples at some point in their life and experience one or some of them now and again it most likely doesn’t point to SPD, for neurodiverse individuals this is experienced on a daily basis.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, keep reading as I explore the different ways this can present…
What is SPD?
Sensory processing disorder affects how an individual registers a sensory input and filters it as significant or a threat. This affects all senses, 5 you will have heard of but there are 3 others:
Sights
Sounds
Smells
Tastes
Touch
Balance (vestibular)
Awareness of body position and movement (proprioception)
Awareness of internal body cues and sensations (interoception)
Each of these senses registers sensory input in 1 of 2 ways: Hypersensitivity or Hyposensitivity
Hypersensitivity - high/too much
Hypersensitivity is when information is registered as high significance, as a threat or stays as a distraction in the background and can’t be ignored.
This can result in a variety of experiences such as;
Experiencing pain under overhead lights
Fixating on something such as a noise or object
Finding the taste of something overwhelming
Increased movement/stimming [flapping hands or arms, rocking, picking skin, jumping, spinning]
Without support, hypersensitivity can result in high distress and discomfort, however, it is detrimental to an individual to suppress the need to soothe themselves.
Here are a few examples of how to support hypersensitivity:
Sensory breaks [for example, at school or college having more frequent breaks, sitting through a 1hour+ class may be painful for an ND individual]
Adjusting the environment [not using overhead lights, reducing background noise, balance supports]
Avoiding strong scented fragrance
Wearing sensory positive clothing
Providing/using tools such as earplugs, ear defenders, fidget items, chew items
Avoiding providing/eating food aversions, textures[too soft or not soft enough, temperature, spices.
Hyposensitivity - low/ too little
Hyposensitivity is when sensory information is missing. While hyPERsensitivity is too much, hyPOsensitivity is not enough sensory input.
This is a wide variety of ways hyposensitivity can affect an individual including;
Seeming clumsy, bumping into things.
High pain threshold
Spacial awareness [being in others’ personal space or not recognising own boundaries]
Sensory seeking [rocking, chewing, snacking, picking]
Not recognising hunger cues [for hunger or fullness].
So, how do we support hyposensitivity?
Visual support such as images to support processing spoken info.
Frequent movement breaks
Pressure - weighted blankets, lap pad, compression clothes.
Eating or having food with strong flavours [sour sweets, crunchy, mixed textures, spicy, cold(ice)]
Sensory items - clicky things, soft, squashy things.
As you can see regardless of which way an individual experiences SPD the key is to learn their unique experience. This can be done through therapy sessions with a neuro-affirming therapist, occupational therapy or self-discovery.
Here is one of the ways I help clients explore their sensory needs in therapy sessions:
If you’d like to know more about how I support my neurodiverse clients do get in touch today. Click here
References
Autism Speaks (n.d.). Putting It All Together - Self Empowerment. [online] docs.autismspeaks.org. Available at: https://docs.autismspeaks.org/self-empowerment/putting-it-all-together [Accessed 13 Jun. 2024].
Autism Speaks (2023). Sensory Issues. [online] Autism Speaks. Available at: https://www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues.
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (n.d.). What Is Sensory Processing Disorder? [online] Available at: https://eput.nhs.uk/media/b2sdvcsb/sensory-processing-disorder-information-leaflet-for-parents.pdf [Accessed 13 Jun. 2024].
