Sensory Processing

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition where there is problems in putting together information from different senses. These senses are vision (sight), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), proprioception (sensing body position) and vestibular (balance). SPD results in students being unable to perform play, concentrate in studies as well as controlling emotions. The 3 main categories of SPD are sensory modulation disorder, sensory-based motor disorder and sensory discrimination disorder.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) ?

[OT Studios, Inc., 2016]

Sensory modulation disorder

Defined as being unable to process the intensity, duration and frequency of a sensation, accurately.

Over-Responsivity - Experiencing senses with increased intensity, duration or frequency (e.g., finding music too loud while others find the volume manageable leading to the student covering their ears.)

Under-Responsivity - Reduced ability to sense (e.g., Lack of awareness to pain.)

Sensory seeking - Requiring to keep satisfying oneself with certain sensory input (e.g., biting finger)

[Jen Bradac, 2015.]

Sensory-based motor disorder

Sensory-based motor disorder is the inability to move the body in a desired manner because of incorrect processing of sensory information, leading to challenges in balance and coordination.

Dyspraxia - Unable to think, plan and execute skilled movements such as pouring water into the cup. Can effect verbal, oral and motor skills (e.g., Inconsistent writing with font size varying from being too large or too small).

Postural disorder - Lack of awareness of body position and poorly developed movement patterns that depend on core stability (e.g., Unable to sit up right, always laying down or leaning).

Sensory discrimination disorder

Sensory discrimination disorder is the inability to recognise similarities or differences of sensory information, which can be from the seven senses. For instance, students with tactile discriminatory issues will be unable to sense the amount of force to hold a pencil and may over exert when writing.