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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) affects how the brain interprets and responds to sensory information such as sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement, and body awareness.
Children with SPD may be over-sensitive (hypersensitive), under-sensitive (hyposensitive), or fluctuate between both.
SPD can occur on its own or alongside conditions such as autism, ADHD or developmental delay.
Children with SPD may:
Check signs of sensory processing difficulties
Learn how to recognise when sensory input causes distress or distraction.
Sensory Modulation Disorder
Over- or under-reacting to sensory input.
Sensory Discrimination Disorder
Difficulty identifying or interpreting sensory details (e.g. object texture, sound source).
Separation Sensory Processing Disorder
Affects balance, coordination, and movement planning (dyspraxia).
Explore types of SPD
Understand how sensory differences affect learning and behaviour.
Assessment is carried out by an Occupational Therapist (OT) trained in sensory integration.
It may include:
Schools and parents can support children with SPD by:
An EHCP can include sensory regulation goals and therapy input.
Effective interventions include:
