One of the greatest challenges for parents today is detecting their child’s special needs. The Sensory Integration Disorder or Sensory Processing Dysfunction affects both parents and children.
Every mother and father wants to have healthy normal children. Kids who have this disorder need special attention in order to develop and learn.
The disorder impedes daily functions, social relationships, psychological health development, as well as learning.
Key points
- Sensory Processing Dysfunction affects both children and their parents and impedes daily functioning, relationships, and learning.
- Common symptoms include hypersensitivity to touch, reaction to loud sounds, hyperactivity, poor coordination, and picky eating or clothing.
- Early detection is important; parents should watch reactions to touch, rough sheets, shower water, new clothes, and brushing teeth.
- The disorder stems from poor nervous system message reception and can be associated with prenatal issues, birth complications, genetics, and environment.
- Proper diagnosis and occupational therapy determine treatment, and families should learn about the condition to provide appropriate care.
Children with such dysfunctions exhibit unusual characters like:
- hyperactive behavior
- hypersensitivity to touch
- reaction to loud sound
- poor coordination
- choosy behavior with food and clothing
- fear of getting dirty
Symptoms of Sensory Integration Disorder
Early detection of the condition is significant and every parent needs to be enlightened about this condition. By looking at the signs and symptoms of the dysfunction, it is possible to note if a child has the Sensory Processing Dysfunction. Parents should watch their children’s reaction to different things and situations.
Simple things seem to disturb a child who has the disorder-these could be:
- friendly touch
- rough bed sheets
- water from the shower
- new clothes and
- brushing teeth
A caretaker who is unaware of this condition might think the child is overreacting. The child could also face discrimination from other kids due to their “choosy” character. This affects the way they relate, and their overall growth in society.
For older children, their school performance reduces due to its effects on their coordination abilities. The condition affects an important part of their body system.
What Causes the Sensory Processing Disorder?
This is due to poor reception of messages by the nervous system. The negative behavior reaction that the child displays is because of an unusual sensory processing system. Different psychologists researching on the condition describe the extent to which a child could show these signs. Some situations are extreme and require special attention. While the condition is unavoidable, there are some causes, which are beyond control.
Reasons for the SPD include:
- prenatal attention
- birth complications
- Genetics
- Environmental effects
Children with this condition require occupational therapy. Proper diagnosis will suggest the right treatment for the child. The degree of effects on their system determines their level of treatment. The family and society members need to understand the condition so that they can offer the best care.
For more information about the condition, proper inquiries and research using ideal links will provide adequate information. More about Sensory Integration and Processing Dysfunction available at the following email lists:
- http://www.sinetwork.org
- http://www.juliadyer.com/newsletter.htm
- http://www.ldonline.org/article/5612/
- http://www.thespiralfoundation.org/factsheet_newsletter.html
- http://www.kidsdr.com/daily-dose/diagnosing-sensory-processing-disorders
The best way to prevent the disorder is by getting to know about it in advance. Whether a parent has a child suffering from Sensory Integration Disorder or not, it is their responsibility to learn about it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sensory Integration or Sensory Processing Dysfunction?
It is a disorder that affects how a child processes sensory information, impeding daily functions, social relationships, psychological development, and learning. Children with this dysfunction often need special attention to develop and learn.
What symptoms might a child with this disorder show?
Children may show hyperactive behavior, hypersensitivity to touch, strong reactions to loud sounds, poor coordination, choosy behavior with food and clothing, and fear of getting dirty. Simple stimuli like friendly touch, rough bed sheets, shower water, new clothes, or teeth brushing can disturb them.
What causes Sensory Processing Disorder?
The condition results from poor reception of messages by the nervous system, leading to unusual sensory processing and negative behavioral reactions. Identified reasons include prenatal attention, birth complications, genetics, and environmental effects.
How is the condition addressed and can it be prevented?
Children with this condition require occupational therapy and a proper diagnosis to determine the right treatment, with the degree of effects guiding the level of treatment. Preventive advice emphasizes learning about the disorder in advance so parents and caregivers can recognize and respond appropriately.
