Sensory difficulties overwhelm
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is the term used to describe difficulties with interpreting sensory input and signals from the environment. Although not yet recognized as a medical diagnosis in many areas, brain scans have shown that children with SPD have differences in their brains in the white matter responsible for perceiving, thinking and learning.
A child with sensory processing difficulties can be completely overwhelmed by their physical environment.
A number of years ago we took a trip on the Hythe to Dymchurch railway. What was supposed to be a fun day out, taking a trip back in time on a steam train, turned into a a sensory onslaught for one member of our family. The jolting of the train, its noise and the screams of a baby in the same carriage combined to generate an environment which whilst uncomfortable for most of us, left our youngest son in a state of defeat as he buried himself in his seat, crouched on it facing into the seat back with he head on his knees in a vain attempt to cut himself off from the barrage.
In many ways, to the child with SPD, it feels like being caught in the crossfire in a war zone.
Eric Kandel, recipient of the 2000 Nobel Price for Physiology or Medicine has spent a lifetime studying the complexities of our brains. He sums up the link between sensory experience and emotions, control and actions:
The brain is a complex biological organ possessing immense computational capability: it constructs our sensory experience, regulates our thoughts and emotions, and controls our actions.
A child with sensory sensitivities may not respond as expected, despite expert interventions and an empathetic environment. When this occurs, it is likely something in the environment is overwhelming their sensory system, rendering them unable to control their emotions, and regulate their thoughts, including those associated with learning.
Sensory overwhelm is exhausting. Just holding it all together is often all these children can manage, leaving nothing left in the tank for learning. SPD is more prevalent than autism and as prevalent as ADHD and can exist as a stand-alone diagnosis.
Thankfully, early intervention through sensory integration therapy and other Occupational Therapy led interventions, can re-programme the brain’s neuropathways and improve the brain’s ability to make sense of sensory inputs.
