What you need to know about Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD):

 

Every one of us experiences the world through our eight (8) senses.

Our senses include:

• Visual (sight)

• Auditory (sound)

• Olfactory (smell)

• Tactile (touch)

• Gustatory (taste)

• Proprioceptive (movement and our body’s position in space)

• Vestibular (balance)

• Interoceptive (our awareness of internal organ needs)

 

The input we get from our senses are processed in our nervous system, which allows us to respond with appropriate body movements and behaviors. Our experience of our senses dictate how we respond to the world around us and what our personal preferences are. Everyone has sensory symptoms, common ones include: our preference toward wearing tight vs loose-fitting clothing, the types of food we like, and our tolerance level for loud noises. SPD arises once those sensory preferences begin to interfere with an individual’s daily life.

 

Studies show that about 5% of the population, or 1 in 6 people have sensory challenges. It is common for symptoms to present around the time children start attending school.

 

How Olympia Therapy can help you:

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At Olympia Therapy we screen for SPD to decide if there is a need for referral to an Occupational Therapist, and we can provide a referral to one of the providers we work with in the area. The quicker sensory challenges can be identified, the quicker they can be resolved and overall functioning can increase.

 

As we are not Occupational Therapists, we are limited in what we can do with children in regards to the body work. However, we can assist in finding methods for helping children self-regulate their bodies with consideration to their sensory needs. We also can provide psychoed about SPD, resources, and parenting strategies.