SPD

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SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)

What You Should Know About SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder)

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a disorder that causes people to misinterpret ordinary sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. The KID Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and programs for parents of kids with the disorder, says SPD affects nearly 5 percent of all children. That means there are on average one to two children in every classroom with SPD. A child with SPD may over or under respond to sensory information, have trouble coordinating muscle movements, and have difficulty performing fine motor tasks such as handwriting.

Here are some other signs of SPD. If your child:

	√	Is overly sensitive to stimulation, overreacts to, or does not like touch, noise or certain smells.
	√	Is unaware of being touched or bumped unless done with extreme intensity.
	√	Seems unsure how to move his/her body in space.
	√	Is in constant motion and gets in everyone else's space, or touches everything around him/her.
	√	Has difficulty making friends due to being overly aggressive or passive and withdrawn.
	√	Does not seem to understand many verbal instructions.

If you suspect that your child has SPD, it's best to make an appointment with your pediatrician or a specialist, because early intervention can help children learn to successfully cope with their challenges and differences. For more information visit www.kidfoundation.org

Source: Dr Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D. author of Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder