|
 Sensory Processing Disorder - SPD - and Complementary Therapies
Sensory Processing Disorder also known as
Sensory Integration Disorder interferes with the
proprioception, self regulation and sensory processing of
children and adults who have learning disabilities, trauma
related difficulties and many other behavioral and physical
conditions often found without many viable or long lasting
solutions for treatment.
Sensory integration is critical in child development
and can often be compromised by difficult births, or early
childhood experiences that limit exposure to sensory
development. Adult trauma or illness in life can impact
sensory integration, developing conditions that are
problematic, developing SPD.
“Studies show that as many as five percent of all
children suffer from SPD, yet information and help for those
with this disorder is still very limited. A lack of
insurance or school-based diagnostic resources combined with
the fact that SPD often looks like other disorders
frequently results in misdiagnosis and inappropriate
treatment for children and adults.” (SPD FOUNDATION – spdfoundation.net)
The author Carol Stock Kranowitz, (The
Out-of-Sync
Child), estimates the higher percentage of
15% of all children who have sensory processing or sensory
integration difficulties that impair learning and quality of
life.
In a 2010 SPD workshop, I studied with trauma author
Robert Scaer, MD (The
Trauma Spectrum) and international
occupational therapist, Ana do Valle, OTR, SEP, who has had
much experience and success in treating victims of major world
traumas onsite, using techniques developed to treat Sensory
Processing Disorder that was clearly evident after these
events occurred. We learned the connections among SPD and
brain physiology and the physiology of trauma. We were able to
apply identification and practical intervention techniques for
regulating sensory processing skills that I have used
extensively since that time in my own work. As a sensory
integration therapist she remarks:
“Sensory Processing Disorder
(SPD) is recognized as a major cause of self impairment in
children, adolescents and adults. It is commonly present in
behavioral conditions such as anxiety disorder, PTSD, ADHD
and leaning disabilities. SPD may contribute to the
development of many poorly understood physical diseases and
syndromes.”
Because there is often
a causal element of early or later trauma with SPD, Ana do
Valle practices Somatic Experiencing with her patients,
especially when she is working internationally in crisis
settings. That link of SPD and kindling or cumulative trauma
leads to experiencing the world with overesponsive or
underesponsive sensory awareness which has an impact on
learning and skill.
In a recent interview
with me, Robert Scaer, MD discussed this connection of SPD and
complex trauma:
“SPD is the behaviorial seed
that sprouts and flourishes, rendering the child exquisitely
sensitive to events that might be at all traumatic. It is
based on the cyclical autonomic dysregulation of trauma,
with both extremes of autonomic expression. But rather than
the restricted and inadequate diagnosis of PTSD, the
syndrome that emerges with maturation is complex
trauma...SPD and complex trauma are the closest of
relatives. In both cases the treatment is primarily somatic
in nature and quality because words only address the tip of
the iceberg.” (Interview
with Robert Scaer, MD and Victoria Behrends, 9/19/11)
The significance here
is that SPD must ideally include trauma resolution work in
addition to other therapies in order to address some of the
origins of sensory difficulties that have resulted from
trauma. Dr. Scaer and Ana do Valle are the pioneers in this
thinking and conduct seminars for other leaders in this field
illustrating how to understand and work with this connection
of SPD with trauma.
SPD can look like ADD/ADHD and may be misdiagnosed.
Traditional treatment for ADD/ADHD may be prescribed,
including drug therapies in cases where SPD therapies would be
the far more appropriate and effective answer for sensory
integration development.
Sensory processing disorder and sensory integration
disorder characteristics listed by the SPD Foundation is on
their “Red Flags” page (for full description go to their
excellent website listed above:
There are intervention techniques that can regulate
the sensory processing that is impacted by the strength,
timing and frequency of sensory stimuli. With that
intervention and help there can be integration and self
regulation within the nervous system.
Only some Occupational
Therapists are using
techniques that have been pioneered for SPD. It is important
to research for a therapist with the SPD background
required.
Sensory therapy is
supported with craniosacral therapies and occupational therapy
work that can open up the world to children and adults with
these special needs. Sensory tools that have been and continue
to be invented are making a difference in the lives of people
who often have had little success with conventional treatment
Sensory Equipment and Sensory Toys and
activities can help re-develop or develop for the first
time the sensory awareness that is missing. There are products
that safely enclose and stretch a child or adult through a
lycra tunnel or a body sock that allows the person to be
moving freely and safely through their space, re-integrating
their sensory systems. There are activities and fidget toys
that can calm and focus a child or adult long unable to reach
that state of integration on their own.
Craniosacral Therapy, Occupational Therapy are
some of the effective tools to develop sensory processing by
using Cranial Therapy, a Sensory Diet, sensory therapy,
Listening Therapy, sensory integration activities, sensory
fidget toys and effective play, even with adults. These approaches can be found on sensoryprocessingbugs.com
|
