About SPD

All About SPD

What is SPD?

Sensory integration is the ability to take in information through senses (touch, movement, smell, taste, vision, and hearing), to put it together with prior information, memories, and knowledge stored in the brain and to make a meaningful response. A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., was an occupational therapist who first researched and described the theories and frame of reference which we now call sensory integration. In her book, Sensory Integration and the Child, Dr. Ayres makes several analogies which describe sensory integration and its dysfunction. She describes sensory information as food for the brain similar to the food which nourishes our physical bodies. Difficulty in processing and organizing sensory information causes dysfunction which can be compared to indigestion which occurs when the digestive tract malfunctions. Another analogy compares the brain to a large city with traffic consisting of the neural impulses. She states: “Good sensory processing enables all the impulses to flow easily and reach their destination quickly. Sensory integrative dysfunction is a sort of `traffic jam’ in the brain. Some bits of sensory information get `tied up in traffic,’ and certain parts of the brain do not get the sensory information they need to do their jobs.” (Ayres, p. 51) “Sensory processing” refers to our ability to take in information through our senses (touch, movement, smell, taste, vision, and hearing), organize and interpret that information, and make a meaningful response. For most people, this process is automatic. When we hear someone talking to us or a bird chirping, our brains interpret that as speech or an animal sound, and we respond to that information appropriately. Children who have a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), however, don’t experience this process in the same way. SPD affects the way their brains interpret the information they take in and also how they act on that information with emotional, attentional, motor, and other responses.

2. Defining SPD and its subtypes

Introduction
As the field of Sensory Integration Dysfunction has matured and researchers have learned more about this condition, many people have realized that it is time to clarify terminology….

Defining SPD and its subtypes

3. Sensory Processing In A Learning Disorders Clinic
Brock and Fernette Eide are physicians and consultants to a wide range of parent, teacher, and clinical professional groups seeking more information about brain-based difficulties and their solutions. Together they have authored more than 50 articles and they speak internationally for keynote lectures, seminars, workshops, and small groups. Visit their website at: http://www.neurolearning.com/sensorylearn.htm

4. What are the symptoms or what are the red flags?

Parents are the adults in the best position to know when their child has a sensory problem but, too often, their observations are discounted because they are “just the parents.” If the family’s health care provider isn’t familiar with SPD, the clues that triggered the parents’ alarm may be overlooked, misinterpreted, or dismissed. The parents may be scolded for over-reacting or they may be offered assurances that their child is “just a little delayed” or “going through a phase” or “showing his personality.” The child may be misdiagnosed and even treated for another disorder that is already familiar to the doctor rather than for the real culprit: Sensory Processing Disorder. By the time I meet families through the SPD Foundation, at the STAR Center in Denver, or in one of the workshops I teach, the parents are often near despair because they have tried and failed to convince somebody that red flag symptoms exist and are disrupting their child’s life in basic ways. . . . (They) know something isn’t right but they are intimidated, frustrated, or downright discouraged because nobody believes them.
– from Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children With Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) by Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR
Red flags of Sensory Processing Disorder
If more than a few of the symptoms listed below fit your child, refer to the complete SPD Checklist in The Library. For a Spanish-language copy of the Red Flags, click here.
Infants and toddlers
___ Problems eating or sleeping
____ Refuses to go to anyone but me
____ Irritable when being dressed; uncomfortable in clothes
____ Rarely plays with toys
____ Resists cuddling, arches away when held
____ Cannot calm self
____ Floppy or stiff body, motor delays
Pre-schoolers
____ Over-sensitive to touch, noises, smells, other people
____ Difficulty making friends
____ Difficulty dressing, eating, sleeping, and/or toilet training
____ Clumsy; poor motor skills; weak
____ In constant motion; in everyone else’s face and space
____ Frequent or long temper tantrums
Grade schoolers
___ Over-sensitive to touch, noise, smells, other people
___ Easily distracted, fidgety, craves movement; aggressive
___ Easily overwhelmed
___ Difficulty with handwriting or motor activities
___ Difficulty making friends
___ Unaware of pain and/or other people
Adolescents and adults
___ Over-sensitive to touch, noise, smells, and other people
___ Poor self-esteem; afraid of failing at new tasks
___ Lethargic and slow
___ Always on the go; impulsive; distractible
___ Leaves tasks uncompleted
___ Clumsy, slow, poor motor skills or handwriting
___ Difficulty staying focused
___ Difficulty staying focused at work and in meetings

5. Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the clinical fact-finding mission that takes place before sensational children can begin treatment for their sensory issues.
The diagnostic process
Diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder usually begins with screening, which is basically a professional search for red flags that indicate enough differences in development to warrant a more comprehensive assessment. Screening may take place at school, in your doctor’s office, or at a private practice clinic. Wherever it occurs, you are likely to be asked to fill out one or more parent checklists and a developmental history to supplement the observations of the evaluators.
If differences exist that are sufficient to warrant further assessment, evaluation will follow. An evaluation for SPD involves standardized testing, detailed clinical observations, and parent-report measures. If a multi-disciplinary team is involved, the evaluative process may also include a general health and physical evaluation, speech/language evaluation, psychological evaluation, and possibly referral to medical or other specialists if a specific problem area is identified.
Standardized diagnostic tools
Currently, the primary standardized assessment tool used for diagnosing Sensory Processing Disorder is the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) developed by A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR. The SIPT is suitable for children ages 4 to 8 who have learning or developmental delays, particularly in praxis (motor planning) or tactile or visual discrimination.
Other standardized assessment tools are used when children:

are outside this age range,
have sensory modulation disorders not evaluated by the SIPT
have motor, behavioral, or language challenges that make it difficult to interpret their responses to the SIPT test.

The Sensory Profile, Short Sensory Profile, and/or Sensory Processing Measure are screenings that are often administered. These scales are report measures filled out by parents, teachers, and others. These are not complete assessments; they only screen for indications that a formal evaluation is needed.
In addition to standardized assessment, all comprehensive OT evaluations include detailed observations in a clinical setting to assess real-life movement and reactivity to stimulation. Most also include detailed interviews with parents and teachers.
The value of early diagnosis
If you spot the red flags of SPD in your infant or toddler, the case for seeking immediate diagnostic services is powerful.

Early diagnosis leads to early intervention. The sooner an accurate diagnosis is made, the sooner intervention can begin. Many children and their families suffer needlessly for years because of sensory issues that could have been addressed if a sound, professional evaluation had determined that Sensory Processing Disorder was present and treatment had begun sooner.
Early diagnosis increases the chances of successful intervention. The immature brains of younger children are more “plastic,” which enables them to change more easily. This makes intervention more effective for them. Older children still benefit but the benefits may take longer to achieve and may be based on cultivating coping skills rather than on modifying the brain, as early intervention is believed to do.
Early diagnosis lays the groundwork for better school experiences. Children who receive intervention at younger ages–as infants or preschoolers–acquire the skills they will need to succeed in school sooner and usually have better experiences once they enter school. This is why federal law requires and funds the screening and, if indicated by the screening, multidisciplinary assessment of preschool-aged children with suspected disabilities.
Early diagnosis can prevent secondary problems from developing. Children who perceive themselves as “failing” at activities that most children perform effortlessly are at risk for other problems such as social difficulties, academic under-achievement, acting-out behaviors, and/or low self-esteem and self-confidence. When children are diagnosed and treated at younger ages, they are more likely to escape this defeating cycle.
Early diagnosis provides correct labeling for unusual behaviors. Because of their atypical behaviors, children with SPD often attract negative labels such as “aggressive,” “withdrawn,” “weird,” “hyper,” “out of it,” and others from peers and adults. With early diagnosis, these behaviors get labeled early for what they really are–symptoms of an underlying neurological disorder. Undeserved and undesirable stereotyping, punishment, and other consequences are minimized or avoided.
Early diagnosis improves family life. The stress on the families living with sensational children can be devastating. The understanding that comes with diagnosis helps parents avoid such common traps as assigning blame to each other for their child’s behavior or disagreeing over discipline. A diagnosis also gives parents an explanation they can use to address the criticism and disapproval that is often directed at them as well as their child.

– from Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children With Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) by Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR
** The arguments for early diagnosis are strong, but don’t worry if you are the parent of an older child or an adult! A correct diagnosis of SPD fosters understanding at any age, even in adulthood, and many elementary school children, adolescents, and adults benefit from occupational or other therapy after diagnosis later in life.

Treatment

1. Overview
Treatment for Sensory Processing Disorder is a fun, play-based intervention that takes place in a sensory-rich environment. Private clinics and practices, hospital outpatient departments, and university occupational therapy programs are typical places where treatment for SPD or for sensory issues in disorders such as ADHD and Autism may be found. Children are most commonly treated for SPD with occupational therapy (OT) that may be supplemented with listening therapy (LT) or other complementary therapies. Sometimes other professionals such as physical therapists, speech/language therapists, teachers, and/or others who have advanced training in using a sensory integration approach may be involved in treatment.
The most effective treatment for SPD is research-based. Although a great deal remains to be discovered about the disorder, scientists at SPD Foundation and elsewhere already have learned that some intervention strategies are more effective than others. Treatment from a research-based clinic or clinician ensures that these strategies will be put to work for your child or for you.
Effective treatment for SPD also is family-centered. In family-centered care, parents and therapists become partners who assume different but essential roles during treatment. Parents identify priorities and act as the experts on their child. The child’s therapists have expertise in therapeutic technique and measure progress toward the family’s priorities. Together, the family and the therapist collaborate to develop the best possible program that reflects the family’s culture, needs, and values. Treatment from a family-centered clinic or clinician who uses quantifiable outcome measures improves the likelihood that you will benefit and be satisfied with the therapeutic program you choose for your child or yourself.
To learn more about finding treatment for yourself or your child, click on Find Services.

2. Therapy
Treatments and Therapies

Occupational Therapy

1. Finding a sensory based OT

Find an OT trained in SPD

2. How to find an OT (Strategies from The SPD Foundation)

What to look for in an OT

3. Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession concerned with helping people of all ages to better perform those tasks that occupy their time…What is Occupational Therapy?

OT_learning_through_play.pdf

4. How to find an OT (Consumer Information)

American Occupational Therapy Association

Creating a Sensory Diet

1. Creating Sensory Diet Activities – Home based and away

To construct an effective sensory diet, you need the sensory smarts to truly understand your child’s sensory difficulties and how they interfere with his life… Sensory Diet

spd_and_selfregulation__info_for_families.pdf

ot_attention_copy1.pdf

ot_self_regulation_copy1.pdf

2. What are Sensory Integration Exercises

OT exercises courtesy of Keystoneblind.org. SPD Exercises

ot_sensory_diet_strategies.pdf

3. Are There Educational Materials Available?

At Super Duper® Handy Handouts! Super Duper® offer products for professors, students, and clinic supervisors who work within the realm of communication sciences and disorders and special education in a university environment. But best of all, their Handy Handouts® are FREE informational handouts for teachers and parents.
Super Duper® Handy Handouts

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE RESOURCE SECTION!