Apr 012021

Patterns of Sensory Processing Disorder

Patterns of Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) often misinterprets sensory information, such as sound, movement, light, and tough. Since they cannot process the information being transmitted by their senses, people with SPD often overreact to a sensation that other people find normal.

Alternatively, they may be unaware of sensations others feel. For example, some people with sensory processing disorder have a higher threshold for pain because of delayed or absent sensory response. 

Since those with SPD have a combination of different symptoms, sensory processing therapy looks at various sensory processing disorder patterns. This way, the best sensory integration therapy in Singapore will be used for optimal results. 

Sensory Modulation Disorder

This pattern analyzes the level of difficulty one faces when regulating responses to sensory stimuli. There are three major reactions to sensory stimuli under this pattern, overreaction, underreaction, and sensory craving. 

People who have an over-responsive sensory tend to respond too soon, too much, or too long to sensory stimuli. Those who under-respond either have a muted response or respond with a lower intensity than the average person. 

The other category of people with SPD is those that crave sensory stimulation. People with this disorder will seek more stimulation when they feel the need. For example, some children crave the texture of their mother’s hair while others yearn to rub against bare skin. 

Motor Disorder

This pattern focuses on motor coordination, balance, and skill development. Children with motor disorder take too long to develop motor skills, while others have weak and poor coordination. For example, most children find it easy to hold a pencil when they have fully developed motor skills. However, those with motor disorder struggle to hold a pencil, and if they manage to do it, scribbling is a difficult task. 

The motor disorder is classified into two; postural disorder and dyspraxia. The postural disorder has to do with poorly developed patterns. For example, some children cannot run straight or seem slightly bent on one side as they run. 

Dyspraxia, on the other hand, refers to poor coordination. Those with dyspraxia often struggle to plan and execute a skilled movement. The difference in motor disorder will influence the type of sensory processing therapy to be used. 

Sensory Discrimination Disorder

This is one of the most elaborate patterns of sensory processing disorder. People with this disorder struggle to interpret stimuli from various senses. For example, one may fail to interpret the sounds they hear, things they see, surfaces they touch, or movement of the body through spaces or against gravity. 

For example, wearing a sweater may seem a natural process. However, someone with sensory discrimination disorder may feel the space is too small for his head to pass. This is why some children panic when wearing a shirt or sweater. 

While some of the disorders under this pattern may seem manageable, some people struggle with interoception disorder more. This disorder has to do with misinterpretation of stimuli from internal organs. 

For example, one may need to use the toilet but fails to interpret it as such. This is why toilet training some children is quite difficult because they fail to interpret the stimuli completely or too late. 

Do you sometimes wonder why your child waits until the very last minute to rush to the toilet? Sometimes it is not intentional. It may be because it takes longer for him to interpret the message his bladder is sending. 

During sensory processing therapy, the therapist will analyze these patterns to determine the severity of the disorder. This way, the right therapy combinations can help balance the responses and reactions to sensory stimuli.