Sensory Processing Disorder And Autism
What is Sensory Integration
The “occupation” of childhood is to play, and children do a great deal of learning through play. In order to be a successful “player” you must be able to use the information that you take from your environment and your own body efficiently. This allows you to engage with another person, to maintain attention to the activities, to communicate and take turns, to know where you are in space and to move your body. This is called “sensory integration” and it seems simple…… when nothing goes wrong.
We process information from our bodies and the environment through our senses. The five senses that we all learned as a child: hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and touching. Less recognized are the “hidden senses”—vestibular (position sense) and proprioception (movement sense). These systems send our brains messages to be processed, integrated and organized into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Whether you are making a sandwich, riding a bike, reading a book or brushing your teeth, successful performance depends on “sensory integration”. For many children this process is smooth and efficient, but for some with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), those processes are inefficient leading to challenges in performing everyday tasks. Author of the theory of sensory integration, A. Jean Ayres, PhD likened SPD to a neurological “traffic jam” that prevents smooth and efficient processing and integration of sensation for use.
Who is Affected By Sensory Processing DisorderThe SPD Foundation reports that 1 in 20 people in the general population are affected by Sensory Processing Disorder, and in children with autism the prevalence is much higher. Children with ASD frequently experience difficulty processing and integrating touch, sound, visual input and movement. They may over-react to sensation and try to avoid it, under-react and not notice it, or seek it and never seem to get enough! They may also experience challenges with planning, sequencing and executing motor tasks. They may appear clumsy, awkward and have difficulty mastering new motor skills or they may be able to master the skills separately, but not put them together into a whole.
Occupational Therapy using a Sensory Integration Approach Treatment for Sensory Processing Disorder is typically delivered by an occupational therapist in a specialized environment that looks more like a playground than a therapy clinic. The skilled therapist makes the treatment session look like play and the child has fun! It is the job of the therapist to tap into the interests and motivation of the child. This will extend engagement and participation in the therapeutic activities.
Therapists design activities for each child that have demanding but achievable goals. This process requires the child to make an “adaptive response” which helps further their development and improve sensory processing. Parents are often surprised at the progress a child makes when they are “just playing”. The therapist also educates in order to empower the parent or caregiver to take strategies and apply them at home and school.
How Will I Know If My Child Has SPD Below is a short list of common warning signs of SPD. This is not a comprehensive list and is for informational purposes only. If you have a concern about your child, seek an evaluation from an occupational therapist that specializes in treating children with sensory processing disorder. The appropriate intervention can make a world of difference in a child’s life.
Red Flags of SPD
• Bothered by having his/her hands messy
• Bothered by unexpected touch
• Distressed by having hair combed, face washed, hair washed
• Distressed by loud or unexpected noises
• Distressed by movement
• Doesn’t cry when seriously hurt
• Doesn’t notice being touched
• Doesn’t turn when name is called
• Often seems unaware of what’s going on around him/her
• Seems unaware of hot or cold sensations
• Constantly “on the move”
• Enjoys crashing, banging, bumping and roughhousing
• Enjoys excessive spinning, swinging and rolling
• Is a risk-taker during play
• Licks, sucks or chews on non-food items
• Unable to sit still for tasks