Signs and Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder

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THERAPIES/TREATMENTS IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR THEM Signs and Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder

Admit it. You’ve found yourself at a Chuck-E-Cheese birthday party and wanted to run out amidst the chaos. Now imagine a 24/7 assault on your senses. I’ve previously tried to help people understand behaviors from sensory overload by presenting this scenario: Imagine putting a desk inside the Harbor Tunnel during rush hour. About 40 feet away from the desk stands a teacher who is going to orally give you algebraic word problems to complete. How long would you be able to sit there with the flashing lights and thunderous sounds of the cars racing by? And how well would you do on those algebra problems?

Sensory Processing Disorder goes What are the signs of Sensory beyond simply not liking a smell Processing Disorder? or thinking a noise might be loud. For someone that experiences Sensory Processing Disorder can hypersensitivity, they may: impede daily life functioning, learning, • react strongly to loud noises, and socializing. • squint or cover their eyes even if others around them do not think it is What is Sensory Processing bright, Disorder? • refuse to wear certain clothing or person. It’s important that we be able Sensory Processing Disorder is a fabrics because they feel itchy or to recognize when someone is having neurological disorder that results painful or just don’t feel right, a sensory meltdown and that we from the brain’s inability to integrate • be distracted by stimuli others don’t identify the triggers and implement certain information received from the notice, calming methods and techniques. For body’s basic sensory systems. Sensory • be clumsy or have difficulty with some individuals, sensory overload processing refers to our ability to body awareness prompts a fight or flight response. The take in information through our person may become aggressive, or senses (touch, smell, taste, vision, and For someone who experiences they may run away to escape an over hearing), organize and interpret that hyposensitivity, they may: stimulating environment. For someone information, and make a meaningful • be constantly craving sensory input else, the response may be to simply response. In addition to those five • intentionally bang their body against shut down. senses we are all familiar with, we walls or objects also have proprioception (our body • seek activities that produce deep A sensory meltdown cannot awareness) and our vestibular sense pressure like push-ups or extra tight be treated as a behavioral (movement and balance). hugs issue • appear to constantly be in motion There is a difference between a Sensory Processing Disorder • have no sense of personal space meltdown and a tantrum. A tantrum is its own diagnosis - it is not a when around others is an outburst by a child as an attempt characteristic of Autism (although to get what he wants. A meltdown is many individuals with Autism also have What does sensory overload a reaction to sensory overload and it Sensory Processing Disorder). look like? cannot be controlled by the person. Sensory input is different for each Discipline will have no bearing or continued on back

Help Line 443.330.5341 • Office 443.330.5370 www.pathfindersforautism.org IMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND THE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR THEM 2 Proud Sponsor of SPD Signs and Symptoms – cont. PFA Resource Center impact on sensory meltdowns, neither and hanging from monkey bars. the current meltdown nor future Crawling under weighted blankets, ones. wearing weighted vests or setting a weighted object on the lap can also If the person is actively produce the effect. experiencing a sensory meltdown: Movement can be a calming strategy First, remove the offending stimuli as well. Activities could include to create a calmer environment. If swinging on a swing or hammock, you cannot remove the trigger, take rocking in a rocking chair, jumping the person to a calm space. Some up and down or on a trampoline, individuals may find comfort in spaces bouncing on a large exercise ball, with low lighting, under blankets playing on a sit-n-spin, going down a or inside tents. Some people may slide, or running. respond well to certain music while others may prefer silence. Try to keep Keep in mind techniques that work your own voice and actions calm. to calm one person may trigger Deep pressure can be calming for an adverse effect for another. An some individuals because it stimulates occupational therapist would be able release of serotonin which has a to help identify the most effective natural calming effect. Deep pressure strategies for your loved one. can be obtained from activities such as push-ups (on the floor, a chair or against a wall), lifting heavy objects, pushing/pulling heavy objects, climbing

Written by Shelly McLaughlin, Program Additional Resources Director, Pathfinders for Autism

Pathfinders for Autism Online Provider Database Pathfinders for Autism does not endorse http://pathfindersforautism.org/providers-services/ any treatments, therapies or products. This Choose category > Sensory products and toys article is not intended to replace medical Choose category > Therapies > Occupational Therapist advice. Consult with your loved one’s doctor and occupational therapist. Sensory Processing Issues Fact Sheet https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/ sensory-processing-issues/sensory-processing-issues-fact-sheet

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Help Line 443.330.5341 • Office 443.330.5370 www.pathfindersforautism.org