As Autism Awareness Month continues, let’s focus on a disorder that is not solely associated with autism but often coincides; Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).  As humans, we are constantly using our senses to absorb and understand the world around us. This comes naturally to most of us and we can self-regulate our responses.  It is important to understand our senses send signals to the brain, which interprets them and creates a response. People with SPD can’t control the responses associated with these signals.  Children on the spectrum or just with the SPD diagnosis may receive overly weak or strong signals from one or more of their senses which then cause a response that is atypical.  

Unfortunately, research hasn’t shown exactly what causes SPD, but it may affect some or all of your senses. (sight, taste, touch, hearing, smell, proprioception (bodily awareness), and vestibular (motion control and coordination) abilities. This disorder can and will influence life in many areas. Many people with SPD receive a diagnosis in childhood. 

Just with any other diagnosis, we must begin to understand it ourselves and help our family and friends to learn about it.  It can be hard to explain to others because when a child has a broken leg and needs help to be mobile then people see and comprehend it better.  However, when a child has SPD, it isn’t as visible and can be more difficult to understand.  One key part of understanding SPD is it is not a choice but a reaction to the signals they are receiving from their brain.  

One way to help family and friends understand SPD is to try to use connections based on their own personal experiences.  Begin to think about what your reaction is when you smell freshly brewed coffee or when someone vomits.  Our brain sends a response that causes us to react.  When I smell freshly brewed coffee it sends a signal to my brain which makes me want coffee.  

However, when I smell vomit it triggers memories of my childhood and students throwing up in school.  I then seek out a way to avoid or move away from the smell.  I am able to control my response but children with SPD are not.  It may consume them and may cause a response that is not typical.  

A common sensory issue with people who have SPD is with children’s reactions to the feeling of clothing textures.  Some children struggle when seasons change and they go from wearing shorts to needing to wear long pants or even jeans.  People who don’t have SPD will make statements such as you’re the parent and just make them wear the long pants.  It is more than a power struggle.  The feeling and adjustment to long pants can throw off a child’s entire routine.  Some parents will begin to introduce the change slowly while others allow their child to wear shorts even in the winter.  So before we assume it is a parenting issue, let’s assume positive intent and seek to understand.  It may make us all respond differently the next time.

More information can be found:

Sensory Processing Issues Explained

Explaining Sensory Processing Disorder

Talking to your child's teacher about SPD

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