Have you noticed your child throwing a tantrum whenever you try to dress him/her, being oversensitive to specific fabrics, odors, or sounds, refusing particular food, or having odd posture? These can be signs of Sensory Processing Disorder. Oversensitivity to certain things may not seem serious to parents in the beginning. However, it may hinder a child’s development and make everyday life difficult. Whether it is the light they see, the things they touch, or the sounds they hear, if your child is responding abnormally, paying attention to these problems is necessary for their better growth and healthier future.
Sensory Processing Disorder- An Overview
SPD is a neurological disorder that negatively impacts how an individual processes sensory information. A child or adult with SPD can experience oversensitivity (hypersensitivity) or under sensitivity (hyposensitivity), which causes them to face various sensory challenges, including tactile (touch), vestibular (movement), visual (light), and auditory (sounds) difficulties.
Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory processing disorder can manifest in children who are suffering from neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADD, ADHD, Autism, and Down Syndrome.
Hypersensitive children may have difficulty being in noisy rooms, can not tolerate too much light, and react adversely to smells. Sensory hypersensitivity may result in:
- Clumsy behavior
- Picky food preferences or gagging when eating foods of certain textures
- Resisting sudden touches or hugs
- Difficulty controlling emotions
- A low pain threshold
- Difficulty paying attention
- Difficulty adapting responses
- Behavior problems
- Disliking touching things
On the contrary, hypersensitive children experience reduced sensitivity and crave interaction with people and things around them. They may engage more with their surroundings to get more sensory feedback. Sensory hyposensitivity may lead to:
- A high pain threshold
- Frequently bumping into walls
- Touching things always
- Putting things into the mouth
- Giving strong hugs
- Crashing into other people or things forcefully
- Not aware of personal space
When Can Sensory Processing Disorder Manifest in Children?
Abnormal aversions to sensations could manifest in children, and the signs of sensory processing disorder (SPD) start to show during toddler years. Sensory processing disorder is common in children with autism. It is a fact that up to 90 percent of ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) children suffer from sensory difficulties at different degrees.
How Does Occupational Therapy Support the Treatment of SPD?
Occupational therapy plays a pivotal role in treating and managing Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Occupational therapists design personalized treatment plans using sensory integration techniques to help children better cope with and manage sensory stimuli. These tailored activities gradually and systematically expose children to various sensory experiences, enabling their brains to process and respond to sensations more effectively over time.
As SPD treatment is an ongoing process, individuals may require occupational therapy throughout different stages of life. New environments and experiences can trigger symptoms, making continued support essential. Combining OT with other therapies ensures comprehensive care, improving the individual’s ability to handle daily activities without sensory challenges and enhancing their overall quality of life.
SPD can significantly impede a child’s development if left undiagnosed and untreated. Early intervention is crucial for better outcomes. Consulting specialists for proper diagnosis and treatment ensures timely care, which empowers individuals to navigate their sensory world more easily.
Hope Medical Center in Riyadh- A Occupational Therapy Clinic for Children with SPD
At Hope Medical Center in Riyadh, our occupational therapists are committed to helping children with various developmental disorders, including SPD. Our Sensory Integration (SI) therapy, or Spider Therapy, is a revolutionary approach focusing on sensory processing and motor skills. In this program, our pediatric therapists use a unique suspended system resembling a spider’s web to support and stimulate movement to develop coordination, balance, and spatial awareness.
Schedule a consultation with our pediatric occupational therapists to discuss your child’s condition and get recommendations for the best treatment plan!
