Sensory Processing Disorders (Part 2 of 3)

(Continued from last post…)

 

More on sensory processing disorder:

• Visual – Refers to the brain’s interpretation of what one sees
• Hypersensitivity – May be sensitive to bright lights and may have difficulty keeping eyes focused on work.
• Hyposensitivity – May have difficulty discriminating between similar shapes, like a square and rectangle or similarly shaped letters like “p”, “q”, “b” and “d”.  Visual processing deficits result in problems described in the previous post on perceptual processing manifestations.  
• Vestibular – Refers to the interpretation of information gathered from the inner ear about one’s position in space, movement and balance.
• Hypersensitivity – May be overly sensitive to motion, avoiding swings or slides.  May get car sick and may be fearful of escalators.   May also demonstrate poor postural control.
• Hyposensitivity – May crave motion.  May spin, jump, run into walls, or purposely fall without the expected negative reaction.  Again, look at the previous posts.  Deficits in this area are closely aligned to deficits classified as motor problems (see October 27,2008 post) as well as perceptual processing problems described in the October 31, 2008 post.
• Proprioceptive – Refers to the interpretation of information gathered from joints and muscles about one’s position in space, movement, pressure and weight.
• May use excessive force when interacting with objects, animals or other people.
• May seek out activities that provide sensory input, like jumping and banging objects. 

 

Please post your experiences under the comment section because in sharing your experience, you help increase everyone’s knowledge base.

Sensory Processing Disorders (Part 1 of 3)

Therapists working with the K-8 population, especially students with diagnoses across the Autism spectrum must be equipped to address sensory processing disorders.  Sensory processing problems impact all areas of function and must be considered on a case by case basis. Subtle differences between children’s abilities require the therapist to individualize treatment protocols.  Components included in the sensory processing performance area are:

 

• Tactile –  Refers to the interpretation of sensory input, including temperature, pressure, pain, and touch, collected from receptors located in the skin
• Hypersensitivity – Tactile defensiveness- may avoid touch
• Hyposensitivity -  Decreased responsiveness to touch- may seek repetitive tactile input
• Auditory – Refers to the interpretation of  sound
• Hypersensitivity – Auditory defensiveness- may be overly sensitive to background sounds
• Hyposensitivity - Decreased responsiveness to sound – may not respond appropriately when called by name, may not be able to locate the source of a sound, or may make repetitive noises for no reason.
• Olfactory – Refers to the brain’s interpretation of  smell
• Hypersensitivity- May be overly sensitive to smells which others may not notice
• Hyposensitivity – May not notice smells others complain about.

 

(Continued next time…)

 

Please post your experiences under the comment section because in sharing your experience, you help increase everyone’s knowledge base.