Sensory Processing Disorder SPD

Sensory Processing Disorder SPD isn’t about the senses being “broken”. It’s about the brain having difficulty filtering and organising input in a way that feels manageable.

Is SPD an official diagnosis?

• SPD is widely recognised by occupational therapists

• But it’s not formally listed as a standalone diagnosis in manuals like the DSM-5.

• It often co-occurs with other neurodivergent labels such as:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • ADHD

  • Dyspraxia

  • Dyslexia

  • and others

    
    

Many children are diagnosed with neurodivergent labels, but may just have Sensory Processing Disorder.

Sensory processing is the way your brain receives, organises, and responds to information from your senses. That includes not just the classic five (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch), but also internal senses like:

• Proprioception (body position)

• Vestibular sense (balance and movement)

• Interoception (internal signals like hunger, pain, or needing the toilet)

Think of it like your brain being a control centre—filtering what matters, turning down what doesn’t, and helping you react appropriately.

What does Sensory Processing Disorder mean?

Everyone constantly takes in sensory input—sounds, sights, touch, movement, and internal body signals. With Sensory Processing Disorder, the brain might:

• Overreact to sensory input.

• Underreact to it

• Or misinterpret it altogether.

Every day experiences can feel too intense, too dull, or just confusing

When can Sensory Processing Disorder become an issue

SPD can show up in ways that are often misunderstood:

• At home: struggles with dressing, eating, or bedtime

• At school/work: difficulty focusing, sitting still, or coping with noise

• Socially: avoiding crowded places or becoming overwhelmed quickly

• Emotionally: meltdowns, shutdowns, or anxiety due to overload

It’s not about “bad behaviour”—it’s about the nervous system being overloaded or under-supported.

Common types of sensory differences

🔊 1. Over-responsivity (hypersensitive)

The nervous system is on high alert.

• Ordinary sounds feel painfully loud.

• Light touch feels irritating or even painful.

• Strong smells or busy environments feel overwhelming

Example: A hand dryer in a public bathroom might feel unbearable.

🔕 2. Under-responsivity (hyposensitive)

The brain doesn’t register input strongly enough.

• Doesn’t notice the name being called

• High tolerance for pain

• Seems low-energy or “zoned out”

Example: A child may not react when they fall or bump into something.

🔄 3. Sensory seeking

The body craves extra input.

• Constant movement (jumping, spinning, crashing)

• Touching everything

• Making loud noises

Example: Someone might fidget constantly to stay regulated.

⚖️ 4. Sensory discrimination difficulties

Trouble interpreting sensory details.

• Difficulty judging force (e.g., pressing too hard when writing)

• Struggles with coordination

• Trouble telling where the body is in space

  
  

How it affects daily life

When sensory processing works smoothly, you barely notice it. But when it’s over-sensitive, under-sensitive, or inconsistent, everyday situations can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even exhausting.