Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and enjoying events like beach trips, parades, and vacations. However, for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), this season can bring stress and challenges. Many families first notice signs of sensory issues during this time, as their children become overwhelmed in large crowds, struggle with loud noises, have difficulty with transitions, and find it hard to stay calm in the heat.
Sensory Processing Disorder affects about 1 in 6 children, and the numbers are rising. Despite its prevalence, SPD is often misunderstood or overlooked by healthcare providers. Children with SPD have a nervous system that struggles to filter and regulate sensory input, leaving them in a state of sensory overload. Unfortunately, pediatricians often dismiss parents' concerns, saying, "It's just a phase." However, early intervention is crucial for children with SPD to thrive, and these interventions must address the root cause, not just offer temporary "workarounds."
Common Signs of Sensory Processing Disorder
Oversensitivity to Sensory Input: Discomfort with certain textures, avoidance of touch, or distress from tight or itchy clothing. Children may cover their ears to normal sounds or fear loud noises like vacuum cleaners or sirens.
Seeking or Avoiding Sensory Input: Some children constantly touch objects, seek strong tactile sensations, or engage in rough play, while others avoid physical contact like hugging or become distressed by activities like haircuts or teeth brushing.
Motor Skill Difficulties: Struggles with tasks like buttoning clothes, using utensils, writing, running, jumping, or riding a bike.
Balance and Coordination Issues: Frequent tripping, falling, or appearing clumsy.
Poor Body or Spatial Awareness: Difficulty knowing where their body is in space, leading to bumping into objects or people.
Overwhelmed in Crowded Places: Anxiety or distress in crowded environments like malls, parks, or parties.
Difficulty Transitioning Between Activities: Meltdowns or anxiety when changing activities or moving between different environments.
Emotional Outbursts and Difficulty Self-Calming: Frequent tantrums or meltdowns in response to sensory overload, struggling to soothe themselves without external help.
Hyperactivity or Inactivity: Being excessively active or lethargic depending on the sensory input they seek or avoid.
Difficulty Sleeping and Poor Attention Span: Trouble falling or staying asleep due to sensory sensitivities and difficulty focusing on tasks.
Repetitive Behaviors: Engaging in repetitive motions or actions to self-soothe or manage sensory input.
Understanding the Nervous System in SPD
Sensory processing involves three main steps:
Sensory Input: Information enters through sensory nerves and the sensory aspect of the spinal cord, reading signals from both internal and external environments.
Processing and Interpretation: The brain and central nervous system process sensory information, determining what to pay attention to and what to filter out.
Response and Reaction: The brain and nervous system send signals to various parts of the body to react to the sensory input.
When sensory nerve pathways are altered or interfered with, the brain receives "bad information", leading to poor interpretation and responses. This root cause of SPD is often a neurosensory communication issue called subluxation or nervous system dysregulation.
The Perfect Storm: Contributing Factors to SPD
Several factors can contribute to the development of Sensory Processing Disorder:
High-Stress Pregnancy: Maternal stress can impact fetal brain development and increase the risk of sensory processing issues.
Birth Interventions: Procedures like forceps, vacuum extraction, induction, and C-sections can physically impact the brainstem, crucial for processing sensory information.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to toxins, pollutants, and other stressors can affect neurodevelopment.
Genetic Predisposition: Some children have a genetic vulnerability to SPD, triggered by environmental factors or other stressors.
Understanding these factors helps identify at-risk children and provides necessary support and care early on.
Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care: A Path Forward
Traditional medical testing might not find the root cause of SPD, but Neurological INSiGHT Scans can detect subluxation and nervous system dysregulation. These scans show what’s causing your child’s tantrums, meltdowns, and sensory issues.
If you’ve tried months or years of occupational therapy and sensory "workarounds" with little success, it’s time to explore Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care. This specialized care addresses the root cause of SPD, helping your child and family experience a calmer, more consistent quality of life.
Benefits of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care
By addressing subluxations and nervous system dysregulation, chiropractic care improves sensory processing and responses. Benefits include:
Better emotional regulation and fewer outbursts
Improved focus and attention
Enhanced sleep quality
Overall improved sensory processing and responses
Take Action Today
If you suspect your child has Sensory Processing Disorder, reach out to Tiffin Family Chiropractic today! Early intervention and proper care can significantly impact your child's development and well-being. If you’re not local, check out the PX Docs directory to find a local PX Doc near you.
Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care offers a drug-free, non-invasive approach to addressing the root cause of SPD. By understanding the signs, causes, and care options, you can support your child's sensory processing and create a more pleasant family environment.
Comments