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Sensory processing disorder

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Sensory processing disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within the own body (visual, auditory, tactile, olfaction, gustatory, vestibular and proprioception). For those with SPD, sensory information may be sensed and perceived in a way that is different from most other people. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information can be received by people with SPD, the difference is that information is often registered, interpreted and processed differently by the brain. The result can be unusual ways of responding or behaving, finding things harder to do. Difficulties may typically present as difficulties planning and organising, problems with doing the activities of everyday life (self care, work and leisure activities including work and play), and for some with extreme sensitivity to sensory input; sensory input may result in extreme avoidance of activities, agitation, distress, fear or confusion.^[1]

The term SPD is coined by occupational therapist A. Jean Ayres as part of her theory that deficits in processing sensation from the body and the environment lead to sensorimotor and learning problems in children. The theory is widely acknowledged, but also has generated tremendous controversy. Some state that sensory processing disorder is a distinct diagnosis, while others argue that differences in sensory responsiveness are features of other diagnoses.^[2] SPD is not recognized in any standard medical manuals such as the ICD-10^[3] or the DSM-IV-TR.^[4] The committee that prepares the DSM-5 has requested that additional studies are done before the disorder can be recognized.^[2]
On the other hand, SPD is an accepted diagnosis in Stanley Greenspan’s Diagnostic Manual for Infancy and Early Childhood and as Regulation Disorders of Sensory Processing part of the The Zero to Three’s Diagnostic Classification.^[5]
SPD is often associated with a range of neurological, psychiatric, behavioral and language disorders.^[6]
There is no known cure; however, there are many treatments available.^{[citation needed]}

^{All four of my children suffer from this.   Monkey Man is a big sensory seeker, which means he craves sensory input.  He is a chewer, because he is very hyposensitive in his mouth he chews on anything and everything.  Because of that he wears a chewy tube all the time so he has something more appropriate to chew on than his clothes, toys, and everything else.   He also craves full body input.  He loves big bear hugs and weighted blankets, he just loves the pressure.}   

^{Princess is an oral sensory avoider.  She refuses to eat certain textures.  She also used to hate having anything on her hands, but with the help of a occupational therapist who specialized in sensory issues, she has overcome that.  She is also a whole body sensory seeker.  She loves crashing into things with her body and bear hugs.} 

^{Monster is a huge sensory seeker too.  He loves crashing into things, being rolled up in a blanket, has a weighted blanket and a chewie tube.} 

^{Itty Bitty used to be a huge oral avoider.  As a baby he had horrible suction, he had a very difficult time transitioning to solids, and an even more difficult time transitioning to table food.  After working with an occupational therapist for a year he is doing very great.  He has finally started eating like a champ and he is gaining weight finally so maybe he can go over the 5% tile.}