Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has difficulty in receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. In fact, it refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and then turns them into proper motor and behavioural responses. Generally, all the activities such as reading a book or riding a bicycle requires accurate processing of sensation. It is some sort of neurological traffic jam that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information required to interpret sensory information accurately.
Sensory processing disorder may affect a sense such as touch, sight, taste or movement. It may also affect multiple senses. In this disorder, the person may scream when touched or may vomit or dive under the table after hearing the sound of a leaf blower outside the window. In some cases, the person with SPD may remain unresponsive to anything around him. Even he may fail to give any response to extreme heat or cold or pain.
Causes of Sensory Processing Disorder:
The accurate cause for sensory processing disorder is still unknown. However, some of the potential causes are stated below:
- Genetic Cause: Research studies indicate that children born to adults who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be at the higher risk for developing SPD. Scientists allude that the cause of SPD are coded into the child's genetic material.
- Low Birth Weight: Low birth weight is also considered one of the causes of sensory processing disorder.
- Environmental Factor: Usually, children who are adopted often experience sensory processing disorder due to some restrictions in their early lives or poor prenatal care.
- Physical Cause: Research studies have indicated that individuals with SPD have abnormal brain activity when exposed to certain stimuli. Individuals with SPD have differences in brain structure which provide a biological basis for the onset of this disorder.