Sensory Processing Disorder
Emily Cavanaugh, Shelby Kestler, Steph Schafer
What is SPD? SPD:
● Neurological disorder
● Sensory information enters the brain but
does not get organized correctly
● Sensory information that the individual
perceives results in abnormal responses
● Age of Onset: birth or early development
Formal Definition:
● “Neurophysiological condition in which
sensory input either from the environment or
one’s body is poorly detected, modulated, or
interpreted and/or to which atypical
responses are observed.”
Causes: Biological & ● Exact cause not yet
Environmental identified
● Heredity
● Prenatal & birth
complications
● Other environmental
factors
Infants & Toddlers:
Red Flags ● Problems eating/sleeping
● Irritable while dressing, uncomfortable in
clothing
● Rarely plays with toys
● Trouble regulating
● Motor deficits
Preschoolers:
● Frequent/long tantrums
● In everyone’s “face and space”
● Poor motor skills: clumsy, weak
● Difficulty making friends
● Trouble eating/sleeping/toilet training
● Over-sensitive to touch, noises, smells
Symptoms Checklist:
[Link]
Under reactive to sensory stimulation
Characteristics:
These kids may seek more sensory
Hyposensitivity input
For example, they may…
● Constantly be touching people, or
textures
● High pain tolerance
● Enjoy jumping, bumping, and
climbing activities
● Enjoy deep pressure (i.e. bear
hugs)
● Crave fast, intense movement
Characteristics: Extremely, or overly, reactive to
sensory stimulation
Hypersensitivity
For example, they may...
● Refuse to wear clothing
● Sensitive to bright
lights/sounds
● Be fearful of “surprise touch”
● Poor proprioception
● Appear clumsy and bump into
things
Mild-Severe SPD can affect any combination of an individual’s
senses with varying levels of severity.
Description Mild:
● Child may have sensory needs in only one area.
For example, hypersensitivity to proprioception
with no other senses affected.
Moderate:
● Sensory needs in a few areas, may vary
between senses in regards to hypersensitivity
and hyposensitivity. For example,
hypersensitivity to sound and sight, but
hyposensitive in proprioceptive.
Severe:
● Varying sensory needs affecting most areas.
For example, hypersensitivity in areas of touch,
smell, taste, paired with hyposensitivity in
proprioception and vestibular.
How is the Child SPD is often accompanied by difficulties in the areas
needed for school and social success. Children with
Affected? SPD are at higher risk for
● Poor self concept
● Academic deficits
● Inability to connect with peers
● Anxiety
● Depression
● Aggression/Behavioral issues
● Being labeled uncooperative/disruptive
A Child’s View of Sensory Processing Disorder:
[Link]
First identified as a theory to explain neurological
Research History
disorders in children by A. Jean Ayres in 1970s.
● Ayres was a occupational therapist who
specialize in neurological research.
● Her findings were resisted at first, and she
spent the remainder of her life pursing her
theory.
Present day, there are multiple centers and
organizations dedicated to further research and
increase awareness.
● Child Mind Institute - “Center for the Developing
Brain” heading research about SPD and other
mental health and learning disorders.
○ Currently collecting brain and body scans of over
10,000 children, the largest sample of research
about SPD.
● STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder
- focused on researching multisensory
integration for children and evaluating
treatment effectiveness.
References Child Mind Institute, Inc. (2019). Sensory processing
aaaFAQ. Retrieved from
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STAR Center Foundation (2018). STAR Institute for
aaaSensory Processing Disorder. Retrieved from
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