If your child struggles with sensory input, they’re not alone. 1 in 20 children in America has some sort of sensory processing disorder (or SPD.) Getting the right support for your child can help them manage their symptoms of SPD. However, sensory processing disorders are often mistaken for autism spectrum disorder. This is because children with these disorders present a lot of similar symptoms.
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What Is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory processing disorders affect the nervous system. This impacts how your body receives, processes, and responds to sensory input. This input comes from the environment around you and can include:
- Visual and auditory input
- Vestibular and proprioceptive input (tactile input and awareness of the space around you)
- Gustatory input (taste, food texture, and temperature)
Your ability to understand this input is extremely important. When the body misinterprets information, your child may find it difficult to:
- Coordinate their body
- React to the environment around them
- Perform basic daily tasks
- Learn new information
- Interact and communicate with others
SPD can also leave your child feeling uncomfortable, distressed, or even scared. They may find it difficult to regulate their emotions or shut down to certain sensory inputs if they feel overwhelmed.
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Different Types of Sensory Processing Disorders
Sensory processing disorders can affect people in different ways, it depends on how your body processes sensory input.
The main types of sensory processing disorders include:
- Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD): difficulty regulating your response to sensations
- Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR): oversensitivity to sensory input resulting in an “overreaction”
- Sensory Under Responsivity (SUR): being less sensitive to sensory input resulting in an “underreaction”
- Sensory-Based Motor Disorders (SMBD): such as dyspraxia and postural disorder, affect your physical response to sensory input
Some people with sensory processing disorders also find it hard to tell the difference between sensory inputs. For example, they may not be able to distinguish between tactile input and their vestibular senses.
Read more: What Are the Best Autism Sensory Toys?
Is Sensory Processing Disorder Autism?
It’s pretty easy to mistake Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The two conditions share a lot of the same behavioral symptoms. For instance, kids who have either disorder might have a tough time interacting with people they don’t know or have trouble with speech development.
But, it’s important to note that having SPD doesn’t necessarily mean that your child also has autism. Autism tends to affect children in other ways as well. That being said, it’s more common for children with autism or ADHD to also have SPD.
Telling the Difference Between SPD and Autism
Kids with autism and those with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) might react similarly to sensory input. That’s why it’s common for the symptoms of SPD to look a lot like the symptoms of autism.
For instance, your child might:
- Feel really overwhelmed
- Have major tantrums
- Shut down or avoid situations altogether
- Try to steer clear of things that seem too intense (like playing with other kids)
- React inappropriately to sensory overload
But, it’s important to know that the reasons for these symptoms can be different for children with SPD and autism.
Read more: What Does Sensory Overload Feel Like?
Autism diagnoses primarily focus on children’s social skills. This might include nonverbal communication and difficulty developing relationships with other children. These are not deficits that children with sensory processing disorders generally experience.
Telling the difference between these two disorders can be difficult without professional training. So it is a good idea to get a full assessment of your child. It can help to keep a record of their symptoms, this might include their behavior and reactions. It’s also a good idea to note the situations that they’re reacting to. This will help you and your doctor identify patterns in their behavior.
What To Do if You Think Your Child Has SPD
If you think your child might have SPD it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor who can make a full assessment of your child and their behavior. They’ll also be able to determine whether your child has SPD or autism if that is also a concern for you. Getting an accurate diagnosis is very important to ensure your child has access to the right type of support.
There isn’t a cure for sensory processing disorders. Instead, treatment focuses on helping children (and adults) manage their symptoms effectively. It also allows you and other adults around your child to support their SPD needs. The earlier you do this, the more comfortable your child will be. Occupational therapy, for example, can help your child find coping strategies that work for them.
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As your child develops new skills, you can increase the difficulty level of the tasks in the app to challenge and motivate them even further. This helps your child grow and progress at their own pace, while also keeping them engaged and excited about their development.
Getting Support
We’ve delved into the complexities of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), highlighted its impacts, and differentiated it from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We’ve learned that accurate diagnosis is key in providing the appropriate support to your child. Understanding these conditions is not just about identifying the symptoms but also recognizing the need for tailored therapies and strategies. The journey may be challenging, but armed with the right knowledge, resources, and professional help, you can empower your child to navigate their unique sensory landscape and thrive. Keep exploring, keep learning, and remember – you’re not alone in this journey.
FAQs About Is Sensory Processing Disorder Autism
What are the similarities between Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder? Children with SPD and ASD can exhibit similar behavioral symptoms, such as delayed speech development and difficulty interacting with strangers. Can Sensory Processing Disorder be mistaken for Autism Spectrum Disorder? Yes, because the two disorders share many of the same symptoms, it's easy for SPD to be misdiagnosed as ASD. Are all children with SPD also autistic? No, having SPD doesn't necessarily mean that a child also has ASD, although it is more common for children with ASD or ADHD to also have SPD. Can Sensory Processing Disorder be treated? Yes, there are a variety of therapies and interventions that can help children with SPD, including occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy What is the difference between Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder? While the two disorders share similar symptoms, the underlying causes and diagnostic criteria are different. SPD is primarily a sensory processing issue, while ASD is a developmental disorder that affects social communication and interaction.
This post was originally published on November 7, 2022. It was updated on June 18, 2023.
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