Sensory processing disorder (or simply, SPD) is a condition in which the affected individual has difficulty in perceiving and responding to sensory stimuli. The severity and symptomatic pattern tends to vary greatly with some persons exhibiting only the subtle form while others have the severe form. If they are looking for sensory processing disorder treatment Milton Ontario parents need to understand a number of important things beforehand.
It is not yet clear as to what the cause of SPD is but ongoing research is promising. It is now emerging that genetics have a big role to play in the development of the condition. The identity of the affected genes is yet to be uncovered. Another common finding among affected persons is an anatomic or functional abnormality at brain level. The mid-brain and the brain stem are the two regions that are most likely to be involved.
The observant parent will first notice the problem in early childhood. A baby with the condition is typically excessively fussy and as they grow older, they tend to throw tantrums more frequently than the average baby. As they get into adolescence, they will mainly present with frequent bouts of anxiety. It has been observed that SPD never presents in isolation; it is usually associated with other neurological and developmental conditions such as autism.
Depending on the extent to which an individual has been affected, one modality may be affected or several of them may be involved simultaneously. The two main ways in which senses are affected are hyper-responsiveness and under-responsiveness. The over responsive individual has an exaggerated response to what is deemed low level of stimulus while the under responsive one remains unmoved even when the stimulus level is way above the average.
The diagnosis is made after administration of various tests. These include, for instance, standardized tests, questionnaires and free play observation by the therapist. The therapist may either be an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist or a psychologist. In some centers, the general recommendation is that all children suspected to have this condition need to be subjected to a comprehensive neurological and psychological examination.
Therapeutic measures need to be individualized since the pattern of presentation is greatly variable. The therapist will choose an environment that stimulates the patient and is well controlled. Fun filled activities have to be incorporated into the program to avoid overwhelming the child. If the child shows some positive improvements in the clinic environment, the same should be transferred to other aspects of their lives such as home and school.
A diagnostic criteria for this condition is yet to be created. This has created a great challenge in developing treatment protocols. The good news is that occupational therapists continue to play a vital role in helping affected persons adjust to their environment. They should help the children optimize their abilities and develop skills in dealing with areas in which they have difficulties.
Alternative and complementary medicine have also been used here. Acupuncture is a needle-based therapy said to be effective in managing a wide variety of physical and mental illnesses. The therapy achieves its effects by realigning the flow of life energy (also termed qi) in various parts of the body. With the life energy restored, normal functioning of all the body systems can be achieved including sensory function. There is, however, no scientific evidence to back these claims.
It is not yet clear as to what the cause of SPD is but ongoing research is promising. It is now emerging that genetics have a big role to play in the development of the condition. The identity of the affected genes is yet to be uncovered. Another common finding among affected persons is an anatomic or functional abnormality at brain level. The mid-brain and the brain stem are the two regions that are most likely to be involved.
The observant parent will first notice the problem in early childhood. A baby with the condition is typically excessively fussy and as they grow older, they tend to throw tantrums more frequently than the average baby. As they get into adolescence, they will mainly present with frequent bouts of anxiety. It has been observed that SPD never presents in isolation; it is usually associated with other neurological and developmental conditions such as autism.
Depending on the extent to which an individual has been affected, one modality may be affected or several of them may be involved simultaneously. The two main ways in which senses are affected are hyper-responsiveness and under-responsiveness. The over responsive individual has an exaggerated response to what is deemed low level of stimulus while the under responsive one remains unmoved even when the stimulus level is way above the average.
The diagnosis is made after administration of various tests. These include, for instance, standardized tests, questionnaires and free play observation by the therapist. The therapist may either be an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist or a psychologist. In some centers, the general recommendation is that all children suspected to have this condition need to be subjected to a comprehensive neurological and psychological examination.
Therapeutic measures need to be individualized since the pattern of presentation is greatly variable. The therapist will choose an environment that stimulates the patient and is well controlled. Fun filled activities have to be incorporated into the program to avoid overwhelming the child. If the child shows some positive improvements in the clinic environment, the same should be transferred to other aspects of their lives such as home and school.
A diagnostic criteria for this condition is yet to be created. This has created a great challenge in developing treatment protocols. The good news is that occupational therapists continue to play a vital role in helping affected persons adjust to their environment. They should help the children optimize their abilities and develop skills in dealing with areas in which they have difficulties.
Alternative and complementary medicine have also been used here. Acupuncture is a needle-based therapy said to be effective in managing a wide variety of physical and mental illnesses. The therapy achieves its effects by realigning the flow of life energy (also termed qi) in various parts of the body. With the life energy restored, normal functioning of all the body systems can be achieved including sensory function. There is, however, no scientific evidence to back these claims.
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