Sensory processing  disorders are conditions that exist when multi sensory integration is not adequately processed in order to provide appropriate responses to the demands of the environment.

The senses provide information from various sources- auditory, tactile, visual, olfactory, taste, spatial orientation and interoception which we need to be able to function. Sensory Integration Disorder is characterised by significant problems in organising sensation coming from the body and the environment and is manifested by difficulties in performance in one or more of the main areas of life: productivity, leisure and play, or activities of daily living. Different people experience a wide range of difficulties when processing input from a variety of senses, examples such as tactile- (e.g. finding fabrics itchy and hard to wear whilst others do not), vestibular (e.g. experiencing motion sickness while riding in a car), proprioceptive (e.g. having difficulty grading the force required to hold a pen in order to write).

Symptoms of SID / SPD

SID can affect one sense or multiple senses thus many people can present one or more symptoms. Sensory Integration Disorder has to have a clear functional impact on the person's life.

Over response of senses might include-

• Dislikes textures such as those found in fabrics, foods, grooming products or other materials found in daily living, to which most people would not react. This dislike interferes with normal function.
• Avoids crowds and noisy places
• Motion sickness (not related to other medical explanations)
• Refuses normal skin contact interactions (kissing, cuddling, or hugging) due to negative experience to touch sensation (not to be confused with shyness or social difficulties)
• Feeling seriously discounted, sick or threatened by normal sounds, lights, movements, smells, taste, or even inner sensations such as heartbeat.
• Picky eaters
• Have sleep disorders (waking up to minor sounds, problems getting to sleep because of sensory overload)
• Find it difficult to self calm, feels constantly under stress.

Under response of senses may include;

• Show extreme difficulties waking
• Appear under reactive and slow
• Be unaware of pain and/or other people.
• Might appear deaf even when auditory function has been tested.
• Child might be difficult being toilet trained, unaware of being wet or soiled.