SMD includes three subtypes; sensory over-responsivity (SOR), sensory under-responsivity (SUR), and sensory craving (SC; sometimes referred to sensory seeking) and considers the visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular, proprioception, gustatory, olfactory sensory systems, as well as interoception.
There are the four patterns of sensory processing: low registration, sensation seeking, sensory sensitive and sensation avoiding.
Some calming strategies include breathing techniques, deep pressure massage, or progressive muscle relaxation. Visual schedules and social stories can be used to explain sensory stresses or inappropriate sensory-seeking behaviours, and to teach coping strategies.
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.
Sensory issues are considered a symptom of autism because many people on the autism spectrum experience them. But not everyone with sensory issues is on the spectrum. Some have ADHD, OCD or developmental delays. Or they may not have a diagnosis at all.
Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is often confused with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to the similarities and connections that exist. While the two have many similarities, SPD is often a comorbid symptom of ASD, but not all children with sensory processing disorder have autism.
What is a sensory meltdown? 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.
Has delayed communication and social skills, is hard to engage in two-way interactions. Prefers to play on their own or has difficulty in knowing how to play with other children. Has difficulty accepting changes in routine or transitioning between tasks. Has difficulty engaging with peers and sustaining friendships.
display unusual sensory avoidance behaviours including evasion of everyday sounds and textures such as hair dryers, clothing tags, vacuum cleaners and sand. display self-stimulatory behaviours e.g. tapping their temples, flapping their hands, bouncing on their toes.
According to this framework, there are four sensory processing patterns: registration, sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding.
Vestibular sensation, which is an organism's sense of spatial orientation and balance, proprioception (position of bones, joints, and muscles), and the sense of limb position that is used to track kinesthesia (limb movement) are part of somatosensation.
They do a treatment called “sensory integration therapy.” The idea is that kids with sensory issues have too much or too little stimulation through their senses. Using different techniques, the OT tries to help kids feel more comfortable. First, the OT observes the child and talks to caregivers.
What NDIS funding is available for Sensory Processing Disorders? If you have NDIS funding that includes Assistive Technology or Consumables, you can use your NDIS Plan to purchase low-cost sensory equipment.
Sensory processing difficulties are symptoms and related behaviours that happen when someone has trouble taking in information from their senses and responding appropriately to it. This can be information related to sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.
By the time a child with SPD enters school, relationships may be compromised and they may present with emotional and behavioral problems. Consequently, empathy may be impaired in SPD because these challenges make it difficult to respond appropriately to another person's emotions.
Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder in the Classroom
Showing heightened sensitivity to sound, touch or movement. Appearing to be in their “own world” (distracted and lethargic) Being impulsive, easily frustrated or, on the flip side, overly compliant. Being easily distracted by the things going on around them.
They may not respond to communication anymore, retreat to their room or lie down on the floor. They may also no longer be able to move from the situation they are in, no matter what it is (for example, a shopping centre or a classroom). Shutdowns tend to be more discreet than meltdowns, and may sometimes go unnoticed.
Trauma greatly affects sensory integration, drastically altering survivors' responses to sensory experience. For example, they have emotional reactions they did not have prior to trauma to certain sensory experiences of hearing, seeing, smelling or touching things.
Results revealed that sensory processing difficulties are associated with more aggressive behavior ( f 2 = 0.25 ), more proactive ( f 2 = 0.19 ) and reactive aggression ( f 2 = 0.27 ), more physical ( f 2 = 0.08 ) and verbal aggression ( f 2 = 0.13 ), and more anger ( f 2 = 0.20 ) and hostility ( f 2 = 0.12 ).
Can it become worse as one ages? 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.
While SPD may affect the child's auditory, visual, and motor skills, and the ability to process and sequence information, it is not, at present, specifically identified as a qualifying disability, making a child eligible for special education and related services.