What are Sensory Processing Disorders?
Previously labeled sensory integration dysfunction, sensory processing disorders relate to touch, pressure, sound, and movement. In SPD, the nervous system does not accurately read and/or coordinate information about these and other senses. Youngsters with SPD can be over- or under-sensitive to their environment, resulting in odd behaviors such as not wanting to be touched, or conversely, wanting to be held continuously. Sensory processing anomalies are factors in most developmental delays involving attention, because, in order to focus, one must be able to sort and prioritize information from the environment. Sensory Processing Affects the Nervous System In retrospect, Charlie’s diagnosis was three years late. As a “28 weeker”, Charlie was born 12 weeks early. Almost all babies born more than four weeks prematurely have nervous system troubles. Preterm babies account for more than 25% of cerebral palsy (cp) cases. Sensory disorders lack the obvious physical markers of cp, and are also
