I have documented some of my experience with sensory processing disorder and expressed my desire to one day help others who also struggle with it day-to-day. I am now going to research into why and how people experience sensory processing disorder, as well as how it is different for adults and children.
The five external senses, as well as the internal vestibular, interoceptive, and proprioceptive senses, are critical for interaction with the environment. When the sensory receptors in the nervous system malfunction, as they’re theorised to do in SPD, common stimuli like lights, noises, and textures may be perceived as too bright, too loud, or too uncomfortable. Sensory processing issues may also manifest as input-related challenges, resulting in sensory-seeking behaviours compensating for low levels of tactile or proprioceptive input.
Vestibular - Our movement against and with the pull of gravity in our bodies.
Interoceptive - Our gut tells us about our autonomic features such as the fullness of our bladder, the experience of hunger as well as being connected to understanding the facial features of others.
Proprioceptive - When we move, our joints register information that “talk” to us about the movement being performed.
Sensory Modulation is the ability of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) to regulate the activity between the sympathetic (arousal) and parasympathetic (inhibition) systems.
Sensory Discrimination is the ability of the Central Nervous System (CNS) to register information in an adequate speed and pace, as well as processing the sensory information from the entry point to the pre-frontal cortex for analysis. What this means is that we have to be able to accurately grade sensory information to match the intended intensity of the stimulus (from auditory, visual, touch, movement, deep pressure, smell and taste) and instantaneously analyse and prioritise the importance of the incoming information.
Sensory Processing Disorder limits the ability of the CNS to grade and analyse the information from stimulus, as well as affecting the ability of the ANS to regulate our responses to the said stimulus.
Sensory issues are recognised as a possible symptom of autism, and many children and adults who have sensory integration challenges do also have autism or ADHD (another condition with ties to sensory challenges).
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or autism, is a developmental disability which affects how a person communicates with others and experiences the world around them. Autistic children and adults will experiences difficulties with social communication and interactions. Typically, they will have some form of restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests and may be due to Hyper or hypo reactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment. This means that autistic children or adults are likely to process sensory information in the environment differently to others.
Sensory overload can occur as a symptom in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a common neuro-developmental condition in which the individual has trouble paying attention to their surroundings, controlling their impulses, or managing their energy levels.