SPD - Sensory Processing Disorder

Eoin in sensory heaven - water, sand, white noise (the waves) and space.

Over the last few weeks I have been asked many times why Eoin needs extra support at school (and at home). To many people Eoin seems like a very active funny kid but what you may not see, until you have spent more than an hour with Eoin is that he is 'sensitive' to noise, taste, texture, smells and generally is always moving.

Eoin has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD (previously known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction or SID).

Sensory processing  is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Sensory Processing Disorder is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responses. It is a neurological disorder and it results in the brain not being able to interpret messages from our 8 senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, vestibular, proprioception and interoception).

Activities like a glow in the dark bath are not only fun but calming.

We first suspected Eoin had some sensory issues when he was about five months old. He loved nothing more than being in his exersaucer or jumpy chair. However after too much time he would let out ear piercing screams. He would do the same thing in a supermarket. He became a picky eatter especially with 'slimy' foods. From birth Eoin would scream the  place down if you touched his ears. As time has progressed examples became more available however it is hard to identify an example for each of the senses as a stand alone sense. For example Eoin hates going to the movies as it can impact many of his senses - sight, hearing, smell and vestibular. Unexpected noises loud and quiet can result in a scared Eoin (loud is the worst) however loud noise that Eoin is in control of are awesome like playing the drums.

Luckily Eoin is not too picky about clothes (except for socks) however people touching him without permission and unexpectedly can result in a very startled scared Eoin. As a result he will often lash out to stop the sensation. Carpet time and assembly at school are very hard  for Eoin.

Eoin making Lavender Bath Salts for his teachers. 

We have observed that Eoin is often on the verge of a 'fight or flight' response. He is in a heightened state much of the time. He needs to control his surroundings heavily. I often think about his day being like an extended walk through a haunted house, never sure when something is going to make you shudder, cringe or scared.

Eoin has a 'sensory diet'. A sensory diet is a carefully designed, personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day. For instance jumping on a trampoline helps Eoin calm down. Proprioceptive work (heavy work like pushing, pulling and lifting) helps keep Eoin regulated through out the day.

His sensory diet is incorporated in his school day and our garage has become a 'sensory' playground with a

There is so much to write about on the subject of SPD and our experiences. I hope that this year I can write more about this journey, things that have helped or hindered us. But in the meantime I am off to make some
glow in the dark bouncy balls with Eoin.