Many people around the world are affected by sensory processing disorder. The condition is not harmful, but because it is characterized by over or underreacting to everyday stimuli, it can affect the quality of life of the people who have this disorder. Most people affected by SPD struggle with a single sense instead of all five senses, but whether they struggle with sensitivity to taste, touch, sight, smell or noise, early intervention is important for helping them live with their diagnosis. If you believe your child may have SPD, follow these three steps to get an official diagnosis.
Make a List of Your Child’s Symptoms
Signs of SPD vary widely. Some children exhibit signs by underreacting to normal stimuli while others present with the disorder by overreacting to the same things. Because the signs can present so differently, it is important to make a list of the signs you have noticed so you can speak to a professional about them. You should remember that all children have quirks and these tendencies are not always indicative of SPD. However, if you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to pursue an evaluation for SPD.
• Clumsiness: Your children may tend to bump into other people or objects if they are not aware of how their bodies fit into the space around them.
• Focusing on normal background noises: Children with SPD may be hypersensitive to low background noises that other people do not notice.
• Overstimulation to noise: Hyperactive noise sensitivity may present as children being afraid of loud sounds or even everyday noises such as toilets flushing.
• Lack of fine motor skills: Children with SPD often have trouble completing tasks with fine motor skills such as buttoning clothes.
• Sensitivity to light: Your child may be unable to stand bright lights or may not react to them at all.
Schedule an Evaluation
Evaluations are crucial for a correct diagnosis. If you suspect your child has SPD, it isn’t enough to diagnose him or her yourself and try to come up with an effective treatment plan. Your child should be evaluated by a professional is see if your suspicion is correct and if there are other disorders involved in addition to SPD. The professional will document your child’s symptoms and use a special form called SPM-2 to determine the severity of his or her disorder through age-appropriate play and activities.
Develop an Individualized Treatment Plan
Once you understand the scope of your child’s diagnosis, you can seek out treatment to help him or her learn to manage various triggers and overcome certain behaviors. The treatment plan should be customized to fit the individual needs of your child.
If you suspect your child has SPD, you may be overwhelmed by the thought of reaching out to a professional for a diagnosis. The process doesn’t have to be scary for you or your child. By following these three steps, you can make sure your child gets the correct diagnosis so you can help him or her learn to live with SPD and thrive.
Sensory processing disorder affects more children than you might realize. You can learn more about sensory processing issues at WPS.