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 Sensory
Processing Disorder -
SPD - and Complementary Therapies –
www.sensoryprocessingbugs.com
is my other website
that offers sensory processing products, my own work in craniosacral
therapy and other resources, research and solutions for SPD and
related sensory disorders.
Victoria
Behrends – RCST®,
HHP, M.A., MH, credential
760-753-1493
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 – www.spdfoundation.net)
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. It was
in the first of these workshops that I met and worked with these
ideas and have applied them to the clients that I have with SPD, but
also other disorders—autistic, aspergers, PTSD, ADD/ADHD, PDD,
anxiety disorders and difficulty with self-regulation and
stress....all areas that involve sensory processing and either
calming, stimulating, or balancing the nervous system.
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:
CHILD
- oversensitivity to touch, noise, smell, other people – clumsy;
poor motor skills; easily distracted, fidgety, aggressive – easily
overwhelmed, difficulty making friends – unaware of pain and/or
other people – lethargic and slow – tasks uncompleted –
difficulty staying focused – frequent or long temper tantrums
ADULT
(though many characteristics above may apply as well)– difficulty
staying focused at work or meetings – always on the go- easily
distracted – poor esteem, afraid of failing at new tasks,
oversensitive to touch, noise, smells – leaves tasks uncompleted
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.
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.
Craniosacral
Therapy balances the nervous system that is impaired by Sensory
Processing Disorder and can support the system overall in resolving
trauma and childhood difficulties.
Brainspotting
is an effective tool, developed
by David Grand, Ph.D. from its origins of EMDR, and can help to
resolve trauma emotional and physical that may surround Sensory
Processing Disorder.
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
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. Sensory equipment is
available including weighted blankets and belts, vests, lap blankets
that have been found to promote sleep, calm and the ability to have
sensory modulation that is focused and secure, rather than
overwhelming or the opposite, unfelt.
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.
In
my own work I use strategies for the child, teen or adult in an
Individual Strategy,
using :
SPD
techniques, self-regulation, sensory diet and sensory activities
Picture
cards from Brainworks (www.sensationalbrain.com)
a
communication tool for the sensory diet and activities
An
individual Hair Analysis report with my interpretation to determine
specific
nutritional deficiencies or toxic substances that can impact SPD
AND—GO
TO: www.sensoryprocessingbugs.com
www.sensoryprocessingbugs.com
is my other website that
is my
own
Sensory Processing line of designed, manufactured and gathered
sensory
toys, sensory tools, fidgets, weighted blankets in
SETS:
Sleep
Set
Caterpillar
Crawl and Play
Child
Sensory Sensory Set
Teen/Adult
Sensory Set,
including emotion cards,
Softies,
Little Caterpillars, Bill's Bug Hand Blankets, Bug Hoopla
Fidgets,
Hand Muffs, Jacob's Ladder, bells and balls, and MUCH more for
sensory
integration, created in combinations called:
Sensory
Bugs
This
Individual Strategy program
with all of its components is also extremely effective with other
disorders that involve SPD, already mentioned—autism, aspergers,
PTSD, PDD, ADD/ADHD, and anxiety disorders. Much of this work can be
done by phone AND in an appointment. When an Individual
Strategy is combined with occupational therapy and there
is great communication and synergy among the members of a
team—parents, therapists, teachers, great improvement in strategies
for sensory processing and self-regulation can be made for the child
and for the adult.
Victoria
Behrends 760-753-1493
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