Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder: More Than Just Five Senses
We are all taught about the five basic senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. But did you know there are actually eight? For children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), the "hidden" senses are often the ones causing the most chaos in their daily lives.
The Hidden Senses
Beyond the basic five, there are three internal senses that govern body awareness and regulation:
Vestibular System
Located in the inner ear, it controls balance and spatial orientation. Kids with vestibular issues might crave spinning (seeking) or be terrified of their feet leaving the ground (avoiding).
Proprioception
This tells us where our body parts are without looking. It involves muscles and joints. Kids with poor proprioception might be "clumsy," crash into walls, or stomp loudly.
Interoception
The sense of what is happening inside the body. This includes hunger, thirst, needing the bathroom, and even feeling emotions like "butterflies" in the stomach.
Traffic Jam in the Brain
Dr. A. Jean Ayres, who pioneered sensory integration theory, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam." The brain receives the signals, but they get clogged up. A light touch might feel like a painful burn (hypersensitivity), or a loud siren might go unnoticed (hyposensitivity).
How Occupational Therapy Helps
Sensory integration therapy is about "rewiring" the brain through play. Therapists use swings, trampolines, textured walls, and weighted blankets to help the child's nervous system practice organizing stimuli.
The goal isn't to change the child, but to help them self-regulate so they can focus in school, play with friends, and feel comfortable in their own skin.