Sensory processing is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Whether you are biting into a hamburger, riding a bicycle, or reading a book, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or "sensory integration."
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responses. It's likened to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively.
Sensory Processing Disorder can affect people in only one sense–for example, just touch or just sight or just movement–or in multiple senses. One person with SPD may over-respond to sensation and find clothing, physical contact, light, sound, food, or other sensory input to be unbearable.
That's a quick explanation, curious?
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
http://sensorysmarts.com/signs_of_spd.html
Go look it up!
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
http://sensorysmarts.com/signs_of_spd.html
Go look it up!
There are two main kinds of sensory people. Avoiders and Seekers. Avoiders take in too much input so they avoid it. Seekers, as you can guess, don't register enough input so they seek it out.
How SPD Effects Me
I am a bit of a combination, but mostly I am an Avoider. I get overwhelmed by most every day things. Spinning, driving, smells, noises, lights, and movement to name a few.
Often by the end of the day, I am so sick, cranky and exhausted.
My SPD Discovery
I learned about Sensory from my education as a preschool teacher. It was the biggest light bulb moment of my life. As I have worked with children and learned more about SPD, I have felt like I was getting to know myself more and more. Then I began to see signs in my young son RJ. It was no big deal because I knew enough from preschool to develop strategies for him. We've had ups and downs but for the most part I have been blessed with the knowledge how to help myself and my son.
Along our road to figuring out our bodies I've learned so much and love to share it.
Me, SPD and Pregnancy
When I am pregnant, it is the worst sensory experience for 4-6 months straight. I would describe it as if my sensory system and my pregnancy symptoms are like two microphones. Fine on their own, but when you put them together they echo off each other getting louder and louder until my body is overrun with the sound. My hope is that if I can get one to stop 'echoing', maybe I can have a more normal and manageable pregnancy. No more losing 20 pounds from being nauseous. No more being so sick I cannot take care of myself or my family. That is my hope.
My Body and It's Need to Feed
Here is one part of the plan I wasn't planning on. I was talking to my sister and I stumbled upon the crazy idea that maybe food is also a culprit to my sensory woe's. She directed me to http://www.leftlemon.com/ where I got motivated to do more than eat healthy. I want to BE healthy! So I am starting a food journal to track what I eat and how it effects me, my body, and my sensory system.
Creating My Piece of Heaven
We all need somewhere we feel really really at home. I don't me just a place you can relax, but a place where your body can truly unwind from all the things that are required from it in this life. So, I am also including in my long list of changes, changing my home. I want to create a place (even if it's just my bedroom) where I can be in my own piece of heaven. As I learn about it, I'll keep you posted!
So, The Point Is
As I try to restructure my life to accommodate my SPD. I am going to research, seek out help from experts, and try things. I thought I'd document it for myself as well as the good of others who might find some tidbit of useful information for their own lives.
Everyone is Different
Everyone has a sensory system or better known as the Five Senses. Some people hate tomatoes, some cannot stand nails on a chalkboard. Others love running bare footed in grass, while some love the smell of curry.
These are all registered by your sensory system. Each persons system is different, they love and hate different things based on what their systems needs.
When it becomes a hindrance to daily tasks, is when you might have Sensory Processing Disorder. Maybe your sensitivity to sound prevents you from leaving your house, or your fear of being touched keeps you from society. Normally, sensory avoiders are the ones who are effected most negatively, because they avoid sensory input, and are kept from being able to accomplish daily life.
Because everyone is different, there are varying degrees of SPD severity. While some people might get mild headaches, others can have more severe reactions to input.
I fall in the fairly mild category. My Five Senses are very sensitive and can get overwhelmed quite easily. It most often starts as a mild headache and if I do not do something to stop it, it becomes a migraine that makes my sensory input even more disrupted. At that point I have to go sleep to stop the cycle.
I also struggle with the vestibular system (http://www.spdaustralia.com.au/the-vestibular-system/).
This system is largely connected with the Five Senses. The above website explains it very well.
(There are exercises you can do to help desensitize your vestibular system. More on that later.)
Sensory issues in adults is so different from children, because by this time, we have mostly figured out coping techniques even without thinking about it. I always keep sunglasses handy when going outside since the sun hurts my eyes. I do not eat things that smell bad to me, because most likely it will also make me gag. I cannot stand long sleeves, so I always roll them up. All of these things and more I have been doing long before I ever learned about SPD.
Children do not yet have these coping skills. That is why it is so important for us to recognize their struggles and help them desensitize or cope with offensive stimulation.
Think about your body. What things are hard for you to handle? In what ways have you noticed your child needing support? Start looking information up in those areas and you will find there is a lot of help out there.
Even if your child is not 'severe', it is always good to find where they need help and support in coping with daily life. A parents foremost desire is to have their children grow up to be happy, well adjusted adults.
You can do that for your child, and continue in your own quest to be one yourself.
Believe in yourself. There will be hard days. But you must keep learning and growing to be the best you can for yourself and your family.
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