Sensory Processing Disorder
This is a common cry for help from many parents who may be raising a child with sensory processing issues, without the help of integrative family medicine. Let’s dive in to learn more about what exactly sensory processing disorder (SPD) is, how it’s diagnosed, and ways to help your child if you believe that they may be struggling with this.
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition in which the brain has difficulty processing and interpreting information received through the senses. While this disorder is commonly associated with children, it can also affect adults. In our integrative medicine clinic at hol+, taking a functional medicine approach can be instrumental in identifying and treating the underlying causes of SPD.
In fact, the very name is controversial among professionals to even call it a “disorder.” It’s often “unheard of” or overlooked because SPD is not included among the conditions spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which is the guide used by psychiatrists and many other clinicians, including pediatricians and psychologists as well. Regardless, sensory processing challenges are a legitimate struggle for some kids.
It was first described in the 1970’s by Dr. A. Jean Ayres as the idea that certain people’s brains can’t do what most people take for granted: process all the information coming in through seven senses to provide a clear picture of what’s happening both internally and externally.
Affected children will often have difficulty handling the various input that their senses are taking in – things like sound, sight, touch, taste and smell. In addition, there are two lesser known senses that can also come into play – proprioception, or a sense of body awareness, and vestibular sense, which involves balance, movement, and coordination. For kids with SPD, it has been likened to a traffic jam in their head with different signals coming in, and their brains don’t know how to make sense of it all. Functional and integrative medicine solutions can help children sort through the different parts of this ‘traffic jam’ through fully customizable treatment plans, designed to address the unique needs from child to child.
Integrative family medicine helps children understand the various senses they experience and teaches them to slow down the noise, focusing on identifying one sense at a time. Once the child develops these listening and identifying skills, they can begin to pick apart the stimuli they are processing to better understand what it all means. After some time and practice, the stressful and overwhelming stimuli become easier to manage – thereby reducing stress and fatigue in both the parents and child.
Does this mean my child has autism or some other diagnosis?
Key Differences Between SPD and Autism
Core Condition
SPD: A standalone condition affecting how the brain interprets and responds to sensory input.
Autism: A neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, behavior, and may also involve sensory challenges.
Social Interaction
SPD: Social skills are usually typical, though sensory sensitivities can impact comfort in group settings.
Autism: Social communication and interaction are consistently affected (difficulty with social cues, conversation, or building relationships).
Developmental Features
SPD: Does not affect overall intellectual or language development, though sensory issues may make learning harder in some environments.
Autism: May involve differences in language, learning styles, and overall development.
Behavioral Patterns
SPD: Behaviors are directly linked to sensory triggers (avoiding loud sounds, craving movement, rejecting certain textures).
Autism: May include sensory responses plus restricted or repetitive behaviors and intense focus on specific interests.
Diagnosis & Treatment
SPD: Diagnosed based on sensory processing assessments; treatment often includes occupational therapy and sensory integration strategies.
Autism: Diagnosed through developmental evaluations; treatment is multidisciplinary and may include behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and sensory supports.
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FAQs
What are some common signs and symptoms?
Adults and children can both experience symptoms of sensory processing issues.
Sensory issues generally manifest from one of two areas, either hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity.
Sensory processing issues are often first recognized in toddlers with an unusual aversion to noise, light, clothing that is irritating or shoes that feel too tight. It may also manifest with gross motor abnormalities like clumsiness climbing stairs or fine motor difficulties like fastening buttons or holding a pencil.
Some children can have extreme reactions which can be quite alarming to parents and caregivers, such as:
- Tantrums with getting dressed
- Screaming when their faces get wet or their feet touch the grass
- Crashing into walls or people
- An unusually high or low pain threshold
- An oral fixation with chewing on things incessantly, including t-shirts, toys, rocks, or even their own lips or tongue resulting in mouth sores and bleeding sometimes
- Distracted by background noises that others don’t seem to hear
- Fearful of surprise touch, avoid hugs and cuddling even with familiar adults
- Very fidgety and unable to sit still for long periods
- Not understanding their own strength
I think my child does struggle with sensory processing issues. What should I do?
First of all, don’t panic, and realize you are not alone in this struggle. You’re an amazing advocate for your child by investigating this further to help them learn coping skills, overcome challenges, and thrive in life. The initial step involves a thorough medical and developmental evaluation from a caring and experienced pediatrician, and a resulting customized integrative family medicine plan geared to fit you and your child’s needs.
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Integrative Family Medicine Can Help Your Child Experiencing Sensory Processing Disorder
Here at hol+, we’re committed to supporting you and your child through our functional and integrative family medicine practices. It’s essential to first rule out any co-existing diagnoses as listed above, so we can tailor the treatment plan to best care for your child. Oftentimes, things like undiagnosed food sensitivities, sleep issues, or other lifestyle factors can result in undesired behaviors and can worsen sensory issues. We can help sort through these things in our holistic approach to caring for children.
Obviously, these kids don’t want to be “difficult” in this way, and it’s frustrating for them to handle these sensory issues in their everyday life. It’s important for parents to be understanding and empathetic. The ultimate goal is to eliminate their pain (physical, emotional, and mental), while helping the child build coping skills.
Three key questions for parents to ask themselves are:
“What sensations does my child avoid?”
“What sensations does my child actively seek?”
“What sensations help calm and reorganize my child?”
Occupational therapists and integrative family medicine practitioners who specialize in sensory processing challenges are key partners in helping parents and supporting children as they adapt and build these skills through sensory integration therapy. OT’s have many hacks to help these sensory-challenged kids, including weighted blankets, fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, gum chewing, movement exercises, life skills activities, therapeutic listening, etc. These tools are tailored to your child’s specific sensory needs and specifications.
While sensory processing issues can be extremely challenging for kids, as well as for their parents, caregivers, and teachers, it is something that can be mitigated with the right method and team-based approach. Stay positive and seek help today to help your child thrive and better navigate the world around them with integrative family medicine.
The functional medicine approach to SPD focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of the disorder rather than merely masking the symptoms. Our team of integrative medicine providers evaluates the unique genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors that contribute to sensory processing issues.
Doctors have yet to pinpoint a root cause of sensory processing disorder, but there is evidence to suggest SPD may be inherited, stem from prenatal complications, or come from certain environmental factors (4).
Additionally, some studies show differences in the way the brain is wired in those with sensory processing disorders (5).
Comprehensive Evaluation
A functional medicine practitioner will conduct a thorough assessment, including a detailed medical history. The goal of this evaluation is to uncover potential triggers and underlying imbalances contributing to SPD.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Based on the evaluation, the functional medicine team will design personalized treatment plans that address the individual’s specific needs. These plans may include dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, targeted supplementation, and other whole-body treatments to support optimal sensory processing.
Focus on Nutrition
Nutrition plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, including sensory processing. Functional medicine practitioners may recommend an elimination diet to identify food sensitivities or nutritional imbalances that could be exacerbating SPD symptoms.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle factors, such as sleep patterns, stress management, and physical activity, are considered when developing a treatment plan. Adequate sleep, stress reduction techniques, and appropriate exercise can all positively impact sensory processing.
