- Sensory Integration
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with processing information from the five senses (vision, auditory, touch, olfaction, and taste), the sense of movement (vestibular system), and/or the positional sense (proprioception). For those with SPD, sensory information is perceived and processed by the brain in an unusual way that may cause distress or confusion. SPD can be linked to conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, Developmental Dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and speech delays, among many others. It is considered a 'soft sign' of neurological dysfunction that does not require treatment. Unfortunately, diagnosis is increasing by developmental pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, and child psychologists. Regulatory-Sensory Processing Disorder is an accepted diagnosis in Stanley Greenspan's Diagnostic Manual for Infancy and Early Childhood and the Zero to Three's Diagnostic Classification.
- Sensory Processing Dysfunction
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There are now three types of Sensory Processing Dysfunction, as classified by Stanley I. Greenspan as supported by the research of Lucy J. Miller, Ph.D., OTR. Sensory Processing Dysfunction is being used as a global umbrella term that includes all forms of this disorder, including three primary diagnostic groups:
- Type I - Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD). Over, or under responding to sensory stimuli or seeking sensory stimulation. This group may include a fearful and/or anxious pattern, negative and/or stubborn behaviors, self-absorbed behaviors that are difficult to engage or creative or actively seeking sensation.
- Type II - Sensory Based Motor Disorder (SBMD). Shows motor output that is disorganized as a result of incorrect processing of sensory information.
- Type III - Sensory Discrimination Disorder (SDD). Sensory discrimination or postural control challenges and/or dyspraxia seen in inattentiveness, disorganization, poor school performance.
- Sensory modulation
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Sensory modulation refers to a complex central nervous system process by which neural messages that convey information about the intensity, frequency, duration, complexity, and novelty of sensory stimuli are adjusted. Behaviorally, this is manifested in the tendency to generate responses that are appropriately graded in relation to incoming sensations, neither underreacting nor overreacting to them.
