Sensory Processing Sensory Processing DisorderDisorder

Amanda FullerAmanda Fuller

December 2, 2009December 2, 2009

OverviewOverview

Define Sensory Processing DisorderDefine Sensory Processing Disorder Discuss A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., ORT.Discuss A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., ORT. Recognition of SPDRecognition of SPD ResearchResearch What causes SPD?What causes SPD? How SPD is diagnosedHow SPD is diagnosed Proper treatmentProper treatment Can medicine help?Can medicine help? Hope for the future of those with SPDHope for the future of those with SPD

Sensory Processing DisorderSensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurological Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurological disorder. The sensory information coming into the disorder. The sensory information coming into the brain is misinterpreted. The information can be brain is misinterpreted. The information can be over-processed, under-processed, or processed over-processed, under-processed, or processed with interference.with interference.

A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., OTR

SPD was formulated by SPD was formulated by Dr. Ayres over 50 years Dr. Ayres over 50 years ago. Dr. Ayres lead other ago. Dr. Ayres lead other occupational therapists in occupational therapists in developing interventional developing interventional strategies. She published strategies. She published a book in 1972 that a book in 1972 that argued that sensory argued that sensory problems were more than problems were more than just a symptom of other just a symptom of other disorders. disorders.

RecognitionRecognition

SPD is not recognized by the American SPD is not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a legitimate Psychiatric Association as a legitimate disease.disease.

Many health care providers are unaware Many health care providers are unaware or unfamiliar with SPD.or unfamiliar with SPD. This can lead to misdiagnosisThis can lead to misdiagnosis Child could be prescribed a stimulating drug Child could be prescribed a stimulating drug

that has no effect that has no effect

ResearchResearch Some research has been Some research has been

done on SPD, but much done on SPD, but much more is needed.more is needed. No official recognition from No official recognition from

the American Psychiatric the American Psychiatric Association Association

Desperately needed Desperately needed researchresearch

Need of complete Need of complete coverage for treatment coverage for treatment

No standardized No standardized diagnostic testdiagnostic test

CauseCause

Cause is unknownCause is unknown Is thought to be inheritedIs thought to be inherited Other implications Other implications

Prenatal and birth Prenatal and birth complicationscomplications

Environmental factorsEnvironmental factors

Likely to be the results of Likely to be the results of a combination of both a combination of both genetic and genetic and environmental factorsenvironmental factors ??

DiagnosisDiagnosis Thorough questionnaire is givenThorough questionnaire is given Includes questions regarding:Includes questions regarding:

touch (tactile)touch (tactile) hearing (auditory)hearing (auditory) taste (oral)taste (oral) smell (olfactory)smell (olfactory) sight (visual) sight (visual) emotionalemotional playplay self-regulationself-regulation social social

Diagnosis Cont.Diagnosis Cont.

The doctor reviews the The doctor reviews the questionnairequestionnaire

Diagnosis is determinedDiagnosis is determined

Child is sent to be Child is sent to be evaluated by an evaluated by an occupational therapistoccupational therapist

TreatmentTreatment

Each child is given Each child is given their own sensory diettheir own sensory diet

This diet will help This diet will help balance a child’s balance a child’s sensessenses

Designed by the OT Designed by the OT to fit each child’s to fit each child’s needs needs

Treatment Cont.Treatment Cont.

BooksBooks ToysToys

Can Medicine Help?Can Medicine Help?

There is currently no cure and no medication that can There is currently no cure and no medication that can aide SPD. With therapy and support from family, a child aide SPD. With therapy and support from family, a child can eventually learn to alleviate some of the effect of can eventually learn to alleviate some of the effect of SPD.SPD.

Hope for futureHope for future

It is hoped that with in the It is hoped that with in the next 4 years SPD will be next 4 years SPD will be recognized by the APA recognized by the APA and more needed and more needed research on SPD will be research on SPD will be done.done.