What are the signs and symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder and how can they be treated?

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What are the signs and symptoms of Sensory
Processing Disorder and how can they be treated?
Sensory processing is how our brains use what we
sense (see, hear, taste and smell) to make sense
of the world. A child with Sensory Processing
Disorder (SPD) is either very sensitive or not
sensitive enough to the things around them.
Children with SPD can feel overwhelme d,
stressed and anxious by their senses and go into
flight or fight mode and feel in danger. They
often have meltdowns - a way of them letting you
know they are feeling really uncomfortable.
Because their brain sees the sensory input as
"not enough," sensory seekers respond to sensory
stimuli with an urge to seek out more. Sensory
sensitive children often respond with a fight,
flight or freeze response because their brain
experiences the input as too much.
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SPD can be different for each child. However,
they may have some type of trigger to stimuli
in their environment that can impact their
emotions, behavior and attention at home and in
school. There are 2 types of SPD that children
experience. These are defined as either 1.
Hypersensitivity (over responsiveness) These
children will usually be sensitive to sensory
input. To give some examples, your child might
experience extreme sensitivity to clothing
labels, uncomfortable bright lights, or common
sounds. Hypersensitive children may try to avoid
sensory input by escaping situations that are
dangerous. 2. Hyposensitivity
(under-responsiveness) These children are less
sensitive to sensory inputs. They may have a high
tolerance for pain or temperatures or they might
deliberately seek out sensory input. They might,
for example, repeatedly sniff their food, rub
items against their skin, or perform specific
movements. They might seem to be bored in the
surroundings since they need more sensations to
get involved. Some possible sign of sensory
seekers and sensitive behavior 1. May cover
ears when there are loud sounds such as vacuums,
hair dryers etc. May even cry or scream. 2.
May have issues with food textures. When trying
fresh tasks, gagging is common. 3. Not
touchable or not touchable enough. 4. May show
little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain
or extreme hot and cold or overreaction to pain
or hot or cold. 5. May have poor coordination.
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6. May be an excessive risk taker, crashing
into things. 7. May cry or get upset over
clothing tags or textures. 8. May be sensitive
to light. 9. May dislike hair being brushed or
cut. Some symptoms of sensory processing
disorder 1. Anxiety, irritability, and
restlessness. 2. Physical discomfort. 3.
Urge to cover their ears and eyes to block out
the source of input. 4. Feeling extreme
stress, fear, or panic. 5. Sensory meltdown
resulting in fight, flight or freeze
response. For disorders with sensory processing,
there is no medication or cure. However, doctors
can help a child manage the symptoms through
therapy. There are different types of therapy.
The basic idea behind these therapies is that
children with sensory disorders can benefit from
particular movement activities, resistant body
work, and even skin brushing. Treatment for "SPD"
usually includes working with an occupational
therapist on activities that retrain the senses.
The objective of the sensory integration
approach, which is frequently used by therapists,
is to make it easier for children with SPD to
manage their everyday tasks. It begins in a safe,
stimulating environment. This uses fun,
stimulating activities to challenge the childs
senses without overwhelming them or linking
stimulation to feelings of failure. The idea is
to gradually implement these learned, suitable
responses outside of the therapy facility/clinic
to everyday tasks at home, at school, and in
society as a whole. Treatment may include a
sensory diet wherein activities are introduced
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in a gentle, fun way in order to ease into a
range of sensations. An occupational therapist
can help with fine, gross and sensory motor
skills. They help the child practice everyday
skills that help retrain the senses. Unlike
sensory diet, sensory feeding therapy is for
children with processing issues related to real
food! Children with SPD might be more sensitive
to particular food flavors, aromas, visuals, and
textures. This therapy involves introducing new
foods in a way that helps your child become
gradually desensitized to them. It starts with
foods your child is familiar with and builds from
there. The goal of feeding therapy includes
identifying appropriate feeding milestones and
developing your childs feeding skills and their
behavior around new and unfamiliar foods. These
therapies can be executed at home as well. There
are a number of methods you can help your child
with sensory issues outside of treatments, such
as . Maintaining a regular routine while
providing notice of any planned changes. . Using
visual cues to support your childs routines and
introduce new or different tasks. . Being aware
of how environmental changes may impact your
childs behavior. . Knowing your childs areas of
interest, challenges, and strengths. . If
necessary, allowing additional time for carrying
out challenging tasks. . Considering extra
support at school if needed. We acquire a lot
about the world around us by our senses. If your
child has a hard time gathering and interpreting
those
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sensory inputs, they may show signs of sensory
processing disorder. SPD is complicated and can
look different in every child. It affects a
childs ability to process and integrate sensory
information. This can be challenging for children
and their parents. The most effective plan for
proceeding is early intervention as therapy
functions best when children continue to develop
physically and mentally. Many children experience
a mix of both over and under responses to
sensory inputs. You should not wait until they
are already dysregulated to accommodate their
sensory needs. Developmental delays in children
are easier to manage or overcome when you detect
them early and seek therapeutic treatments.
Treatments, including occupational therapy, may
help children and adults who have sensory issues
learn to cope with the world around them. Less
overreactions and better sensory outlets are the
primary goals of treatment. Children who
succeeded in employing therapy to manage the
symptoms might need additional medical attention
as they grow older and achieve new goals in
life. If your child has sensory issues contact us
now.