Sensory Integration Disorder is also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction or Sensory Processing Dysfunction. The current term is Sensory Processing Disorder. It is considered the “invisible disability” because it is so often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. A Child with SPD is often labeled as a “klutz” and may have difficulties making friends and develop low self-esteem as well as emotional and behavioral problems. Adults with SPD are even more likely to go undiagnosed. According to the Sensory Therapies and Research (STAR) Center near Denver, about 1 in 20 children are affected.
Description
For those with SPD, information from their senses does not get processed or interpreted correctly by the brain. It is described by Jean Ayers, Ph.D., founder of the STAR center, as “a neurological traffic jam that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly.” Sensory input comes from the five senses: vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch, but also the sensory systems that help us know where our bodies are in relation to the space we occupy. One, some or all senses may be affected.
Causes
Sensory Processing Disorder has a strong genetic component and therefore runs in families. A study using monkeys by the University of Wisconsin-Madison proved that “moderate” consumption of alcohol and exposure to stress during pregnancy caused sensitivity to touch in the babies. Perhaps this study will encourage further research, but at this point, the exact causes of Sensory Processing Disorder are unknown.
Symptoms
People with SPD may be hypersensitive or sensory defensive. Others seek extreme forms of sensory input. Those that are “defensive” may be bothered by tags on clothing or overreact to loud noises like sirens. In some cases, a loud engine could even cause vomiting. Those people who seek increased levels of input are ones who may hug others too tightly or bang things. One child even went so far as to repeatedly dislocate her own shoulder. Pain awareness may be heightened but some may be nearly oblivious to pain sensations. Individuals with SPD usually have difficulty with activities of daily life like dressing, sleeping, eating. Normal play is a challenge, and learning is nearly always effected.
Diagnosis
Sensory Integration Disorder or Sensory Processing Disorder has not yet been added to the DSM-V, the diagnostic bible for health care providers dealing with mental health issues. Diagnosis is based upon clinical symptoms and usually made by an occupational therapist.
Management
Treatment for SPD generally includes occupational therapy which is designed to help people become more independent with activities of daily life. Eating, dressing, bathing, sleeping are some examples. The therapist can help a patient with Sensory Processing Disorder improve his integration of sensory input. Speech language therapy can also help support the SPD patient. For children, sensory play is encouraged. This may include gross motor activities like jumping, swinging or running. Other activities include playing with toys with extreme texture or with games in which the child has to guess what an object is exclusively by feel. Management is individualized depending upon the degree of severity.