SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER

WHAT IS A SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER?

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People, or children with sensory processing problems have a difficult time processing information from the senses. The difficulties might arise from sights, sounds, touch, taste, or smells.  Many people have difficulty integrating information from the senses as well. 

 

Some examples might include...

 

A blinking light that is tolerable to most people but disturbs the afflicted individual.

A loud sound that disrupts the body

A certain clothing material which causes discomfort and stress in the body. 

 

Everyone, even adults have experienced these issues to a certain degree - we all have a "breaking point" or threshold in which certain sights, sounds, and tastes become intolerable or too alarming to handle. 

 

With sensory processing problem, a child will either be too sensitive to these types of triggers (hypersensitive) or not sensitive enough (hyposensitive).

 

A person who is hyposensitive might not react to dangerous stimuli due poor awareness or poor motor control.  In either case, the person's ability to respond to their environment is compromised to the point that it disrupts normal, every day life. 

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