Sensory processing disorder (SPD), previously called sensory integration disorder (SID), causes challenges with regards to sensory input. Generally diagnosed in children, SPD reactions include over- and under-reaction to sensory stimuli. "He didn't speak until he was 3. In school, he'd hide under a desk to escape noise and activity," is how "Time" described one child with SPD in its article "The Next Attention Deficit Disorder?" Treatment for SPD usually focuses on creating a sensory-rich environment for the child including movement, texture and sound.
Auditory Issues
Children with SPD might complain about sounds hardly recognized by others and cover their ears. Everyday noises, such as a dog barking, bath running or a radio, may cause fear and anxiety. On the other hand, some SPD children may be unresponsive to loud noises or be unable to determine where a sound originates.
Tactile Issues
A child with SPD may be hypersensitive to touch and react with discomfort or pain in regard to certain sheets, towels or clothing items. He may resist eating or touching certain textures that feel uncomfortable. Alternatively, a child with under-sensitivity to touch might hurt or pinch himself, may crave overly hot or spicy foods or touch certain textures over and over. The Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains that overwhelming touch hypersensitivity may occur in everyday situations, such as routine jostling in a school corridor or accidental touching by a classmate.
Vestibular Issues
Sensory processing disorder causes difficulties with gravitational changes, movement experiences, equilibrium and place or position in space. A child with SPD might be nervous around slides and swings or bump into toys and furniture. She might move and walk cautiously in seemingly ordinary situations. A child with SPD may crave jumping, twirling and spinning and does not seem to ever get dizzy. She might also be clumsy and appear uncoordinated, have poorly developed fine motor skills and struggle to learn games or activities that involve specific movements or dance steps.
Oral Issues
A child with an aversion to going to the dentist, who struggles with swallowing certain foods and is a fussy eater may suffer from sensory processing disorder. Additionally, he might chew his food excessively, chew on his shirt or hair or put items into his mouth far beyond the toddler years.
Visual Input Issues
SPD may cause children to struggle with visual input. Certain types of light or movement may cause discomfort or create distraction. A child with SPD might struggle to identify and differentiate colors, letters and shapes. Also, she may be easily visually distracted and lose her place when playing a game or reading a book.
