Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where the brain has difficulty receiving and responding appropriately to sensory information from the environment, such as sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, movement, and body awareness. This can result in a person being either overly sensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive) to sensory stimuli, affecting their daily life and behavior
. SPD can manifest as:
- Over-responsivity: extreme discomfort or distress from normal sensory inputs like certain textures, sounds, or lights.
- Under-responsivity: sluggishness or lack of response to sensory stimuli.
- Sensory cravings: seeking out intense sensory experiences, such as spinning or bumping into things.
- Difficulties with motor skills and sensory discrimination, leading to clumsiness or trouble with tasks like handwriting
While SPD is often seen in people with conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and anxiety, it can also occur independently. However, SPD is not currently recognized as an official medical diagnosis in major diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5 or ICD-10, and there is ongoing debate among professionals about whether it should be classified as a distinct disorder or viewed as a symptom cluster related to other conditions
. Treatment typically involves occupational therapy to help individuals manage sensory challenges and improve their ability to function in daily life
. In summary, SPD is a neurological condition affecting sensory processing, leading to difficulties in how sensory information is interpreted and responded to, impacting social, emotional, and functional aspects of life
