sensory processing disorders

what is sensory processing?

• A person’s ability to receive a variety of sensory input

• Process it

• Understand it

• Use the information to react to environmental challenges in an integrated and organized manner

what does the term “sensory” mean?

1. taste

2. smell

3. vision

4. hearing

5. interception

6. vestibular

7. proprioceptive

8. tactile

___% of the general population have symptoms associated with sensory processing challenges

5-16.5%

Children with developmental or behavioral conditions (e.g., Autism) increases the prevalence to ___%

40-90%

Sensory integration problems can lead to deficits in ____, ___, _____, and _____ development

motor, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional

what problems impact those who do not receive effective treatment?

Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other problems

Researchers conclude that what is crucial?

early identification of this disorder

A broad, non-diagnostic term that describes when someone has challenges processing sensory input.

Sensory Processing Difficulties vs. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory Processing Difficulties

These difficulties may or may not impact daily function.

Sensory Processing Difficulties vs. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory Processing Difficulties

Can occur in a variety of populations.

Sensory Processing Difficulties vs. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory Processing Difficulties

A proposed stand-alone diagnosis for individuals with significant sensory processing challenges that interfere with daily life (e.g., self-care, learning, relationships).

Sensory Processing Difficulties vs. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Not officially recognized in the DSM-V or ICD-10 as a separate diagnosis (making it controversial) though it may be documented using related diagnostic codes (e.g., “Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders”)

Sensory Processing Difficulties vs. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Sensory Modulation Disorder

• Sensory over-responsivity

• Sensory under-responsivity

• Sensory seeking or craving

Visual, auditory, tactile/touch, gustatory (taste), olfactory (smell), proprioceptive, and vestibular/moving

Sensory Discrimination Disorder

Sensory-Based Motor Disorder

• Postural disorder

• Dyspraxia

Characteristics of SPD

• Behavioral Signs

• Emotional Impact

• Functional Impact

Behavioral Signs

Meltdowns, avoiding textures, crashing, selective eating, etc.

Emotional Impact

Anxiety, low self-esteem

Functional Impact

Self-care, communication, social participation

common myths

• “It’s just bad behavior.”

• “He/she will grow out of it.”

• “If he has sensory issues, he probably has autism.”

• “Ignore the behavior and it will go away.”

outdated approaches

• Brushing protocols

• Overuse of sensory-based interventions without clinical reasoning

• Generalized sensory diets

• A “one-size-fits-all” reasoning

what we actually know…

• General Sensory Overload

• Auditory (hearing) Sensitivity

• Visual (sight) Sensitivity

• Tactile (touch) Sensitivity

• Olfactory (smell) Sensitivity

• Gustatory (taste) Sensitivity

• Proprioception (body awareness) & Vestibular (balance/movement)

• “It feels like all my senses are turned up to full volume at once, and I can’t filter anything out.”

• “Like being in a crowded room with a thousand TVs on, each playing a different channel, and someone is shouting at you to focus.”

General Sensory Overload

• “Sudden noises are like knives in my ears.”

• “I can hear the hum of the lights, the clock ticking, someone breathing three rows away. It’s too much.”

• “It’s not just loud, it’s sharp, unpredictable, and physically painful.”

Auditory (hearing) Sensitivity

• “Fluorescent lights flicker like strobe lights, and it’s exhausting.”

• “Too many colors, patterns, or fast movements make it hard to focus or even stay in the room.

Visual (sight) Sensitivity

• “Certain fabrics feel like sandpaper.”

• “Light touch can be unbearable – like bugs crawling on my skin.”

• “Sometimes I crave deep pressure but can’t stand being hugged lightly.”

Tactile (touch) Sensitivity

• “I can smell everything – perfume, cleaning products, someone’s lunch – and it’s overwhelming.”

• “Strong smells can make me nervous or give me headaches.”

Olfactory (smell) Sensitivity

• “Food textures can make me gag, even if the flavor is okay.”

• “Some foods are so intense they burn my mouth, even when others don’t notice anything.”

Gustatory (taste) Sensitivity

Proprioception (body awareness) & Vestibular (balance/movement)

• “I don’t always know where my body is in space, so I bump into things a lot.”

• “Sometimes I need to rock or spin to feel calm, or I get dizzy easily and can’t handle fast movement.”

lived experiences

• “When it’s too much, my brain just crashes – I can’t speak or think.”

• “It’s like a system overload. I might scream, cry, or completely shut down.”

• “I’m not being dramatic – I’m trying to survive in a world that was built for different senses.”

• “It’s not just preferences… these are real, physical responses I can’t just ignore or ‘get used to’.”

brief history (where did this start?)

• Sensory Integration Theory by A. Jean Ayres, 1960s – 70s)

• Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention (fidelity-based)

• Play-based, individualized, sdaptive responses

• Environmental modifications

• Collaboration across disciplines

the role of an occupational therapist

• Evaluation (clinical observations, standardized tools like the Sensory Profile or Sensory Processing Measure)

• Intervention (using SI principles, routines-based interventions, environmental modifications)

OT lens

participation, performance, routines

OT evaluation

clinical observations, standardized tools like the Sensory Profile or Sensory Processing Measure

OT intervention

using SI principles, routines-based interventions, environmental modifications

goal for OT

support participation and functional independence

interventions you might see

• Vestibular input for attention

• Deep pressure for self-regulation

• Sensory-based strategies in routines (e.g., before mealtimes or transitions)

why should SLPs care?

• Support attention, regulation, and engagement during sessions.

• Address oral-motor, feeding, and social communication challenges with a sensory lens

SLP role: sensory considerations

• Auditory filtering

• Tactile defensiveness

• Movement needs

role of SLP: impact on..

• Language acquisition

• AAC use

• Social reciprocity

How SPD Affects Speech and Speech Sessions

• Sensory Seeking Behavior

• Auditory over-responsiveness

• Oral hypersensitivity

• Vestibular/Proprioceptive needs

• Impact on co-regulation and back-and- forth interaction

interferes with joint attention or sitting at the table

Sensory Seeking Behavior

aversion to speech sounds, difficulty processing verbal instruction

Auditory over-responsiveness

avoidance of feeding, articulation challenges

Oral hypersensitivity

difficulty with posture for breath support or phonation

Vestibular/Proprioceptive needs

OT & SLP Collaboration

• Shared goals: engagement, communication, participation

• OT supports sensory regulation → SLP has a more productive session

• SLP notes oral-motor challenges → refers to OT for sensory-motor evaluation

OT supports sensory regulation →

SLP has a more productive session

SLP notes oral-motor challenges →

refers to OT for sensory-motor evaluation

Tips for OT & SLP Collaboration:

• Shared Language (e.g., regulation, arousal, co-occupation)

• Respect scope of practice (SLPs can take CEUs on SI too)

• Create joint sessions or parallel goals (e.g., improving feeding tolerance while working on oral motor control)

Additional Considerations for SLPs

• Environmental design (lighting, noise, seating)

• Sensory breaks – when and how to use them sppropriately

• “Indicators” for SPD in social communication disorder

• When to refer to OT (and how to talk to parents about it)

key takeaways

• Sensory processing is foundational to communication and participation

• Collaboration between SLP and OT is crucial

• Seek to understand behavior through a sensory lens