SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)
Before you read the webpage please read the following notes:
NOTE 1 – We are giving you an overview of this condition in a question and answer format so you have some information for when you talk to a health professional. We have not discussed how to diagnose this condition, the types of treatment available for this condition and how you as the parent can help your child. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a healthcare plan or special educational needs plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.
NOTE 2 – Children can suffer from more than one condition at any one time. This is known as comorbid
NOTE 3 – The exact cause of many of the conditions we have written about is unknown. Research is continuing. There can often be a genetic component which when inherited can make an individual prone to the condition. There are also other factors which can play a part in the development of the condition and can trigger it. We have detailed these factors in each write up.
NOTE 4 – Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it.
WHAT IS SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER (SPD)?
Sensory processing disorder is when an individual’s brain does not process information from what they see, hear, touch or taste. As a result the brain cannot generate an appropriate response. This disorder can affect one sense, a few or all of them.
Individuals who have SPD are either very sensitive to sensory stimuli or under sensitive. Most individuals are a mixture of both. A child that is very sensitive to sensory stimuli is often referred to as hypersensitive. A child that is under sensitive to sensory stimuli is referred to as a sensory seeking child or a hyposensitive child.
SPD is a child developmental disorder.
Children with SPD are regarded as children with special educational needs.
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH SPD DISPLAY?
Although many children with SPD share symptoms that come with the condition however, each child will experience these symptoms in different ways. They will have different strengths and limitations of these symptoms.
The main symptoms a child with oversensitive SPD will show are:
- Children may overreact (get scared, vomit or scream) to certain sounds.
- They may get distressed at the feeling of certain clothing and textiles. They may feel itchy.
- Shoes may seem too tight
- They may throw tantrums when getting them dressed.
- They come across clumsily.
- They may have trouble with fine motor skills. An example of this is fastening a button.
- They may think the light is too bright.
- They may think something soft is hard.
- Very sensitive to temperature, to pain, to water and touch.
- In extreme cases a child may scream when water touches their face.
- They may scream when touched
The main symptoms a child with under sensitive SPD will show are:
- They have problems sleeping
- They enjoy heights, jumping off tall things, swinging high on the swings.
- They invade someone else’s personal space without realising.
- They are restless.
- They crash into things.
- They can be socially unaware.
- They can spin very fast without getting dizzy.
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE SPD BORN WITH IT OR DO THEY ACQUIRE IT?
Most children with SPD are born with the disorder. They have inherited it from their parents. Prenatal complications and premature birth can contribute to SPD.
WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF SPD?
Most parents often notice signs of SPD when their children are toddlers.
CAN SPD GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?
A child can outgrow SPD but most retain it for life. It cannot be prevented.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPD?
Similar to autism, the symptoms of SPD exist on a spectrum.
There are 3 different types of SPD. However, children can have one or a combination of all 3 types:
1. Sensory modulation disorder – Children who have this SPD have difficulty regulating appropriate responses (can be both over and under) to external sensory stimuli.
2. Sensory based motor disorder – Children who have this SPD have difficulty with controlling their movements so they are smooth and coordinated. These children have balance problems and motor coordination problems.
3. Sensory discrimination disorder – Children who have this SPD cannot distinguish between similar images, sounds, feelings, touch and sensations.
HOW CAN CHILDREN WHO HAVE SPD FEEL IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED?
A child with SPD may feel depressed, confused, overwhelmed, have low self confidence and they may feel isolated.
WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD HAS SPD?
Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for SPD. If your child has SPD your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage the condition. They will also advise you of any lifestyle changes you may need to make and refer you for further help if needed.
Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.
IS SPD CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?
A child suffering from SPD can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age.
Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has SPD you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has SPD.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns with SPD. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has SPD and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.