There is evidence that children with SPD are physiologically different (Miller et al., 2001). This has several implications.

• First, SPD may always be present, even when your child is an adult. The symptoms may be less severe, but your child will need to recognize the impact of SPD and learn life-long coping strategies.

• Second, early intervention is critical in the treatment of children with SPD.

• Third, SPD commonly appears with many other disorders, including autism, ADHD, fragile X, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation.

Current terminology categorizes sensory processing disorders to include three distinct patterns: sensory modulation disorder, sensory discrimination disorder, and sensory based motor disorder.

Sensory modulation disorder
A child with sensory modulation disorder has difficulty interpreting and correctly responding to sensory information coming from the environment. The key is that the brain does not filter and interpret information correctly. The body may over-respond, under-respond, or vary in response to sensory information. Further, the body responds in a way that is unequal to the sensory information coming in (Hanft, Miller and Lane 2000). This pattern includes three subtypes:

Sensory over-responsivity. A child with sensory over-responsiveness is overwhelmed with sensory input (noise, movement, touch, taste, smell). As a result, the body develops a fight or flight reaction.

Sensory under-responsivity. Children with under-responsivity may appear lethargic. In class, these children may slump in their chair. They may not feel pain appropriately and ignore a bleeding cut or a bump on the head.

Sensory-seeking craving.  This child needs deep touch in order to feel. She may grab, pinch, bite, and hit, not out of maliciousness, but rather to obtain needed sensory input.

Sensory Discrimination Disorder
A child with Sensory Discrimination Disorder has difficulty understanding the qualities or aspects of sensory information. He may appear clumsy and have difficulty distinguishing between a baseball and a tennis ball.

Sensory Based Motor Disorder
This child may have difficulty sequencing new motor actions and appear clumsy. The pattern
includes children who display dyspraxia and a postural disorder.

Praxis refers to the ability to plan motor events. A child with dyspraxia has difficulty imagining,
coordinating and realizing unfamiliar movements.

A child with a postural disorder may have difficulty sitting up, attending to tasks, and
organizing their body. This is the child who practically lies on top of their desk.

See a sample activity for the child with Sensory Based Motor Disorder:

               “Mummies, mummies everywhere!”

from Parenting Your Child with Sensory Processing Disorder: A Family Guide to
Understanding and Supporting Your Sensory-Sensitive Child