What is SPD?

It is always best to start at the beginning, and in my opinion, knowledge is power. Therefore, let’s briefly rundown what Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) actually is.

One of the best ways it was explained to me was by Lincoln’s Occupational Therapist. She said “Imagine that we all have a 5 gallon bucket that represents our “senses”. Sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste, balance, and body position. Throughout the day, our bucket begins to fill as we move through our lives… eating things, talking, visiting others, going to the store, etc. We notice around lunch time that our bucket begins to feel full. For most of us this is when we get cranky, hungry, tired, or stressed. As adults, we know we probably need to take a small break. Eat a snack, rest for 5 minutes, zone out on our phone, do something to recharge. That empties out our bucket significantly so that we can continue to go about our day. Then, with our good night’s sleep, our bucket is fresh and empty for the next day.

For folks with sensory processing disorder, you don’t have a 5 gallon bucket, you have a 2 gallon bucket. And you experience several (if not all) senses VERY STRONGLY. Sounds are louder, lights are brighter, touch is more intense, and so forth. Therefore, your bucket gets full quite quickly. Others don’t understand what you are going through, or you may not be able to even speak out loud your experience because you are non-verbal. This leads to major meltdowns, tantrums, or disassociation. It can be downright impossible for them to every empty their bucket or get a break from the constant overwhelm of the world and their experience of it.”

In scientific terms, sensory processing disorder is defined as “A disorder characterized by the inability to accurately process information coming to the brain from the senses, which results in inaccurate judgment of sensory information such as touch, sight, movement, taste, and sound.” When we cannot interpret the information that comes through our senses ,or can’t find the right balance between sensory over- and under-responsivity, this results in an SPD diagnosis. (information sourced from The Everything Parent’s Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder by Terri Mauro).

Many individuals who have SPD also have another diagnosis, such as Autism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Seizure disorder, PTSD, or a learning disability. However, that does not necessarily mean that someone with SPD has another disorder or condition.

SPD can also look like ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder or an Anxiety Disorder. Again, that does not always mean that it takes two to tango in this situation.

The important thing is to treat the individual with SPD with extreme love and compassion. This is not an easy thing to live with, and there are many things we can do to help folks along to make their experience more comfortable and manageable. Personally, I am so grateful for a diagnosis for my son. The professionals and resources I have found so far have made life so much better for Lincoln. I finally feel that we understand him and can begin to make sense of this disorder and give him the most beautiful life imaginable.

I will soon share many more details about SPD including how we got a diagnosis, what Lincoln’s specific conditions of disorder are, and what life is like for us.

For now, I am grateful for support from all of our friends, family , and professionals as we navigate a child with SPD!