Learning about the terminology and concepts related to your child's sensory processing disorder diagnosis can be overwhelming. However, having a basic understanding of sensory terminology is crucial for parents to help their children achieve their goals and feel confident in managing their sensory issues. In this post, we will explore some important sensory terminology and concepts based on the research of Dr. Jean Ayres and Dr. Lucy Miller.
Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is an umbrella term that describes how a person interacts and interprets sensory information in the environment differently. SPD can be further categorized into three different types: sensory modulation disorder, sensory discrimination disorder, and sensory-based motor disorder.
Sensory modulation disorder (SMD) is the type of SPD that most people are familiar with. Children with SMD may experience over-responsiveness, under-responsiveness, or sensory seeking behaviors in one or multiple sensory systems. Over-responsive children register sensory input very easily and may find even small amounts of sensory input overwhelming. Under-responsive children require extra sensory input for their brain to register the input. Sensory seekers are children who continuously seek out sensory input, often in a disorganized way.
Sensory discrimination disorder (SDD) is another type of SPD. Children with SDD have difficulty interpreting and applying meaning to sensory information in the environment. For example, they may struggle to determine how much force to use to pick up a glass of water or may not be able to identify an object in their hand without looking.
Sensory-based motor disorder is an SPD that affects a child's movement. Postural disorder affects a child's ability to remain upright due to poor balance and core strength. Dyspraxia affects movement and coordination, and children with dyspraxia may struggle to plan and carry out motor tasks, appearing "disconnected" from the environment. They may also appear clumsy and have poor balance.
SPD affects the eight sensory systems: olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), tactile, visual, auditory, proprioception (body awareness in space), vestibular (acceleration and position in relationship to gravity), and interoception (internal sense of hunger, thirst, pain, etc). Understanding which systems are affected in your child's SPD is crucial in implementing strategies to avoid sensory dysregulation, which occurs when the brain does not receive the proper amount of sensory input. For example, a child who is under-responsive to proprioceptive input may seem to fall, crash, and run into things, requiring additional proprioceptive input to help their body feel calm. An over-responsive auditory system may cause a child to cover their ears, appear to not be listening to your directions, or have a meltdown in noisy environments.
Sensory rooms, commonly used in school settings, are designed to provide a safe place for children to regulate their sensory input. Tools used in sensory rooms, such as weighted blankets, essential oil diffusers, soft lighting, chewing toys, and swings, can also be incorporated into the home setting. Understanding your child's sensory preferences can help you choose sensory tools that will help them achieve the just-right regulation.
While this post covers the basics of sensory terminology and concepts, there is always more to learn about SPD. However, having a basic understanding of these concepts can help parents feel confident in managing their child's sensory issues and achieving their goals.