How many of these signs must be present before parents should suspect sensory processing disorder?
RO: It is more important and helpful to think about the degree to which a child’s day-to-day functioning is affected by these symptoms than to count the number of symptoms. It’s true that many of the symptoms of SPD are universal, but kids without SPD can live a normal life and go about their day without their sensitivities getting in the way. The key here is that for little ones with SPD, the symptoms pass a threshold and cause impairment in various areas of functioning. This, by the way, is true of most medical and psychiatric disorders. We have to consider the frequency, the intensity and the level of impairment that the symptoms cause. For example, while we all feel sad from time to time, it isn’t considered depression until the symptoms have passed a certain threshold. PD: In the book, you note that sensory processing disorder can develop after illness. How common is that? RO: Anything that compromises the nervous system of a child can affect how he/she takes in sensory informatio
