Motor and behavioral responses that human beings exhibit rely on the reception and processing of signals from senses by the brain. Sensory processing is the process of receiving and processing such signals. The term sensory integration (SI) is also used to refer to this process. When the brain is unable to receive and organize the various signals it receives into appropriate responses, the condition is called sensory processing disorder (SPD).
Senses provide signals from modalities such as proprioception, vision, olfactory, tactile, taste, vestibular and audition systems. Those signals are needed to maintain proper functioning in the body. The main characteristic of SPD is difficulty in processing information fed from the senses, which results in performance problems in daily activities. Areas of life that are affected include daily activities, leisure, productivity, contact, feeding and play among others.
Processing of signal input differs among different people. For instance, fabric that is completely comfortable to some people appears to be very uncomfortable to others. This is because of a difference in tactile sensitivity. Motion sickness is caused because of difference in vestibular sensitivity, which makes other people to experience it while others do not. The same thing happens to proprioceptive sense where force applied when writing differs among people.
SDD, SBMD, and SMD are three major classifications of SPD. Subtypes also exist under each one of the types named above. Different senses are affected by the various types and subtypes. That causes a variation in symptoms people suffering from different type experience. A single or several sense may get affected by the disorder.
People with over-responsivity may exhibit a dislike of certain textures in various items such as grooming products, fabrics and foods. They seem to get affected seriously by normal lights, movements, tastes, sounds and smells. As such, they tend to avoid crowded and noisy places and feel constantly under stress. Patients suffer from motion sickness and have difficulty sleeping. They avoid normal skin contact such as hugging, kissing, and cuddling and become picky eaters.
Symptoms in individuals with under-responsivity are very different. The individual is slow in reaction and often seems to fail to perceive pain. When they sleep, it take a lot of effort and time to wake them up. They appear deaf although they pass tests meant to gauge hearing. Children are very slow and sometimes incapable of being toilet trained and they seem to fail to recognize wetness and dirt.
The causes of SPD are not yet fully known and research in that direction is ongoing. However, current research findings tie the condition to damage of parts of the brain that handles multisensory processing. Research is also aiming at identifying existence of any genetic and neurological causes for the condition.
The condition is diagnosed in children using various tests. The tests are standardized and they include TSFI, SIPT and TSI. The diagnosis process also involves the use of standardized questionnaires. Sensory integration therapy is one of the approaches used in treatment. The therapy challenges all senses of the body. It takes place in a room with close supervision from a therapist.
Senses provide signals from modalities such as proprioception, vision, olfactory, tactile, taste, vestibular and audition systems. Those signals are needed to maintain proper functioning in the body. The main characteristic of SPD is difficulty in processing information fed from the senses, which results in performance problems in daily activities. Areas of life that are affected include daily activities, leisure, productivity, contact, feeding and play among others.
Processing of signal input differs among different people. For instance, fabric that is completely comfortable to some people appears to be very uncomfortable to others. This is because of a difference in tactile sensitivity. Motion sickness is caused because of difference in vestibular sensitivity, which makes other people to experience it while others do not. The same thing happens to proprioceptive sense where force applied when writing differs among people.
SDD, SBMD, and SMD are three major classifications of SPD. Subtypes also exist under each one of the types named above. Different senses are affected by the various types and subtypes. That causes a variation in symptoms people suffering from different type experience. A single or several sense may get affected by the disorder.
People with over-responsivity may exhibit a dislike of certain textures in various items such as grooming products, fabrics and foods. They seem to get affected seriously by normal lights, movements, tastes, sounds and smells. As such, they tend to avoid crowded and noisy places and feel constantly under stress. Patients suffer from motion sickness and have difficulty sleeping. They avoid normal skin contact such as hugging, kissing, and cuddling and become picky eaters.
Symptoms in individuals with under-responsivity are very different. The individual is slow in reaction and often seems to fail to perceive pain. When they sleep, it take a lot of effort and time to wake them up. They appear deaf although they pass tests meant to gauge hearing. Children are very slow and sometimes incapable of being toilet trained and they seem to fail to recognize wetness and dirt.
The causes of SPD are not yet fully known and research in that direction is ongoing. However, current research findings tie the condition to damage of parts of the brain that handles multisensory processing. Research is also aiming at identifying existence of any genetic and neurological causes for the condition.
The condition is diagnosed in children using various tests. The tests are standardized and they include TSFI, SIPT and TSI. The diagnosis process also involves the use of standardized questionnaires. Sensory integration therapy is one of the approaches used in treatment. The therapy challenges all senses of the body. It takes place in a room with close supervision from a therapist.
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