There is no medication to treat sensory processing issues. But there are therapies as well as practical changes you can make at home and at school to help your child feel better and do better. You'll want to rule out other causes for your child's symptoms.
Research shows that starting therapy early is key for treating SPD. Therapy can help children learn how to manage their challenges. Therapy sessions are led by a trained therapist. He or she will help you and your child learn how to cope with the disorder.
Medications for co-occurring conditions may also reduce sensory overload. In autistic people, for example, the medication aripiprazole (Abilify) may be helpful. Many people can manage episodes of sensory overload with specific techniques and home care.
Although they sound similar, sensory processing difficulties can be present without autism. Often children or adults with other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions such as Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, Anxiety, ADHD, or mood disorders can also exhibit Sensory Processing Disorder.
Many parents of children with sensory issues call their behaviors sensory processing disorder, or SPD. But SPD is not currently a recognized psychiatric disorder. Sensory issues are considered a symptom of autism because many people on the autism spectrum experience them.
Can sensory issues be a symptom of ADHD? Sensory issues and sensory processing disorders are prevalent in people with ADHD. Although scientists are still researching the exact correlation, research has shown that kids and adults with ADHD are more likely than neurotypical people to experience sensory overload.
Possible causes of sensory processing issues
Researchers are looking into biological reasons for these issues. Some research suggests they can be genetic. Researchers are also looking into birth complications and other environmental factors. But so far, there's no known cause of sensory processing issues.
SPD becomes worse with injuries and when with normal aging as the body begins to become less efficient. So, if you always had balance problems and were clumsy, this can become more of a problem in your senior years.
SENSORY OVERLOAD IS COMMON FOR PEOPLE WITH ADHD OF ALL AGES.
Some of the symptoms of ADHD—such as self-regulation and trouble paying attention to what's going on around you—may themselves induce sensory overload.
Sensory meltdowns are what I consider to be extreme temper tantrums that have a sensory trigger to them. These typically involve extreme aggressive behaviors (head banging, hand biting, scratching or pushing others), and require a lot of assistance to recover.
For most people with ASD, sensory issues become much milder as the child grows. Sometimes they resolve on their own, but even when they're severe and continue for many years, sensory processing issues do improve.
"Sensory dysregulation tends to get better with neurological maturation, but in many cases, it does not go away altogether," says Allison Kawa, PsyD, a Los Angeles child psychologist. "Most people learn coping strategies as they grow up.
There are the four patterns of sensory processing: low registration, sensation seeking, sensory sensitive and sensation avoiding.
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a prevalent neuropsychiatric condition characterized by sensorimotor difficulties. Patients with FND at times report that sensory experiences trigger and/or exacerbate their symptoms.
Sensory Sensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
One of the symptom criteria for ASD in the DSM-5 is “hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment” (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013, p.
Sensory overload and anxiety are mental health conditions that are deeply related to one another. When a person feels anxious or already overwhelmed, they may be more prone to experiencing sensory overload in certain situations.
Occupational therapy can help kids cope with sensory issues. They learn ways to give themselves the right amount of stimulation, maybe with a heavy vest, a fidget toy or ear plugs. Some kids grow out of these issues completely. Some kids, especially autistic kids, have them their whole lives.
Sensory processing disorder is not recognized as a formal medical diagnosis on its own, but it may exist separate from a diagnosis of autism. Difficulties with sensory processing are an indicator of autism; however, not all children with autism will also struggle with sensory issues and SPD.
Signs your child may have SPD
Oversensitivity to pain, temperature, and touch; experiencing strong reactions when feeling touched. Difficulty transitioning from one activity to another. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Easily distracted by continuous, loud sounds.
Sensory modulation disorder is the most common form of SPD. It indicates trouble regulating responses to stimulation. People with it are under or over responsive, since the nervous system does not know when to pay attention to or ignore stimuli. It leads to abnormal sensory seeking, or hiding from stimulation.