Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is when a person has difficulty with detecting, modulating, and interpreting sensory information resulting in abnormal responses to sensory stimuli. If these responses affect how a person functions in their daily living they may have sensory processing disorder. SPD is not always diagnosed, but can still affect a person in their everyday life.

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Sensory Stimuli

Sensory stimuli is received through one or more of the 8 sensory systems.

Smell, Auditory, Vision, Tactile, Taste, Vestibular, Proprioception, Interoception


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Nervous System

The sensory systems send messages to the nervous system (N.S.)

N.S. includes the brain to the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves

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Responses

The N.S. turns the messages into sensory responses.

Responses can look like some of the following:

-Covering your ears, and refusing to enter a room due to a loud noise

-Refusing to wear a new shirt due to how the new fabric feels on your skin
-Gagging from a terrible smell (10 day old trash)

Some people have such adverse responses to sensory stimuli it can affect their participation/function in typical every day tasks. Occupational therapy uses sensory integration to help a person/child reach their optimal level of arousal and regulation, thus allowing them to function in those simple everyday tasks again.

 Sensory Integration is…

A theory created by Occupational Therapist Jean Ayres that focuses on sensory-motor factors that affect

  • Behavior

  • Skill development

  • Learning

  • Participation

    Sensory systems and the integration of their inputs are important contributors to behavior and learning

S.I. theory aims to identify an individualized approach to each child’s unique sensory needs

  • Sensory techniques and tools will be integrated into each child’s daily activities and occupations 

  • Addresses areas of participation and engagement in occupation that are affected by sensory issues