What is sensory processing disorder (SPD)?

If you're physically uncomfortable most of the time because sounds are too loud lights are too bright everything that touches your body makes you cringe smells are overwhelming and you struggle to find foods you can eat but when you do that's ALL you eat... you MIGHT have SPD 😉

Jokes aside... if any of this resonates, you may have a brain wiring difference that causes your brain to work this way.

So let's talk about sensory processing for a minute... which has to do with the way the brain takes in and responds to sensory information...

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a brain wiring difference where the brain over or under responds to sensory information. 

Some people with SPD have over-responsive brains, some have under-responsive brains... and some have a mix of both (which is quite common).

People whose brains mainly over-respond are often sensory avoiders (they live their lives actively trying to avoid sensory overstimulation... *cough* me 😅)

People whose brains mainly under-respond are often sensory seekers (they live their lives actively seeking out more sensory input because their brain interprets sensory information as not enough).

Since most SPD adults have instinctively learned to hide/mask their sensory needs (often to their extreme detriment), many SPD adults have made it into adulthood undiagnosed. 

Sensory avoiders often learn to internalize their meltdowns... suffer in silence, essentially. And sensory seekers often learn to seek out sensory inputs in ways that won't make them stand out (usually to avoid becoming a target).

Note... SPD is not currently recognized as a standalone condition in the DSM. However, sensory processing differences ARE included in the DSM as a feature of autism. 

Although not in the DSM, research does indicate that SPD does exist separately from autism.