Is sensory processing disorder a real diagnosis? Sensory processing is considered a theory and very subjective. So to answer the question is sensory processing disorder a real diagnosis depends on who is asked and how the question is asked. Many parents and Occupational Therapist believe that sensory processing disorder is a real condition. However, many professionals refute sensory processing as a disorder in isolation. Sensory processing disorder has had few setbacks the last couple of years. In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that pediatricians not use sensory processing disorder as a diagnosis because there no evidence that supported it has a separate disorder. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that some individual’s experience sensory processing difficulties. This was followed by the expert committee’s decision to not included sensory processing disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). It can take years to get a diagnosis in the DSM. Therefore, there is hope that sensory processing disorder will be included in the next edition of DSM. Among professionals, there is an agreement that some individuals have sensory difficulties. However, the disagreement …show more content…
However, when evaluations are conducted it is often by qualified occupational or physical therapist in conjunction with fine and gross motor abilities. The most common screener used is the Short Sensory Profile designed by Winnie Dunn. The Short Sensory Profile is a checklist that is divided into eight different sections. According to the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, there are six commonly used assessments along with clinical observation, input from parents, caregivers, and/or teachers. Due to the subjectivity surrounding the evaluations, many professionals debate that there is standardized assessment available which assesses only sensory
Sensory therapy uses everyday objects to arouse one or more of the five-senses (hearing, smell, taste, and touch) in order to evoke positive outcomes of feelings (Gilbert, 2001). The use of sensory stimulation can improve an
A little girl named Sally, quietly sits alone in a corner, rocking back and forth, humming to herself. Her classmates roam about in a chaotic manner, casually conversing, and inadvertently ignoring the little girl. Sally’s parents begin to wonder; is it just a phase or something more. Her parents soon learn that it is something more.
There are many theoretical perspectives which underpin and support the sensory experience, whom have based their theories around sensory engagement. Jean Piaget is one theorist whom believed that thought developed from actions. Piaget had four stages of development, these are sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational and formal operational. The sensorimotor stage is right at the start of our lives. Piaget stated that babies are born with many means of interacting and exploring their environment around them. (Goswami, 1998). According to Piaget, during the sensorimotor stage children build up a mental picture which is based on their sensory contact with the environment. (Introducing sensory-rich play, 2012). Along with Piaget, Maria Montessori also based her theory around sensorial experiences. However, unlike Piaget, she believed in a non-symbolic way. She argued that children have ‘sensitive periods’, these are times In a child’s life when their senses are ready to learn and develop, she believed that we can support and encourage a child’s development if we are able to spot these periods. She believed that children’s senses come first in their intellect, and that adults have the role in providing new and exciting opportunities to promote a stimulating environment which will enhance learning and development. (Introducing sensory-rich play, 2012). Montessori believed that if a child is placed in an environment which is catered specifically to their needs, they can
Sensory impairments usually result in the other senses becoming stringer. Although it could delay the child’s development if it isn’t diagnosed early, the earlier it is diagnose the earlier the child can be supported and be taught relevant things in a way that suits them.
Selective mutism is an extreme anxiety disorder, and although children with selective mutism speak and act very normally in their home environment together with family members, they are unable to talk in social settings out of their comfort zone (such as at school). Most of the kids with SM have social phobia or social anxiety, and they are not mute intentionally, but they are unable to speak. Usually, SM is mistaken for autism; that is a much more severe problem. Not all children show their tension, in the same way, some may be totally quiet and not able to talk to anybody in a social setting, others may have the capacity to address a chosen few or be able to whisper. They may stop, be blank, unemotional and may be socially isolated. Excessive shyness, withdrawal, clinging behavior, temper, negativism are some of the characteristics of selective mutism.
Sensory perceptual issues are not part of the diagnostic criteria for autistic spectrum conditions. They are often overlooked and the difficulties they cause are attributed to other aspects of an individual’s autism. However, sensory sensitivity is an integral part of the lives of most people on the autistic spectrum and can have a profound effect on the individual and on those around them. Because of this it is very important to try to understand the sensory world of each individual with an autistic spectrum condition, however difficult this may be for a ‘neuro typical’ person. Wherever possible, it is important to get a sensory assessment, ideally carried out by a specialist.
2. Congenital sensory loss meaning we are born with it. Sensory loss can also be caused by an illness or by having an accident.
We may not like loud noises, so we avoid crowds and clubs, or have textures issues, so we avoid slimy or squishy food, all without therapy. Our flight, fight, or freeze responses are our defense system again the unknown, but sensory processing treatment work on changing that response. With all of materials I compiled, I am in agreement that sensory processing disorder is the next “it” diagnosis for children. I do believe that children with Autism, ADHD, ADD, and Down Syndrome struggle with processing sensory information. However, there is no proof that sensory processing difficulties are not a byproduct or syndrome of the disability. More research is necessary in order to determine how and why sensory processing occurs and affects daily life. The goal for all educators is to provide students with the best education
care leads to not only veterans that suffer from PTSD but anyone that has had symptoms the thought of there is no way to escape that trauma unless they turn to alcoholism, drugs or anti-socialism to allow aid in the suppression the night terrors. What are the numbers like when you consider the massive amount of current military and veterans that have suffered or are currently suffering from the effects of PTSD? The NVVRS or National Veterans’ Readjustment Study, over one thousand Vietnam veterans in the year nineteen eighty-eight were reporting fifteen-point four percent currently having post-traumatic stress disorder. Now this was then put into as a percentage of who was suffering which came to thirty-one percent, this number to me seems
Occupational therapists help children make of sensory experiences involving sights, smells, touch, sounds, tastes and movement. Children with learning disabilities or autism may experience serious difficulties processing, understanding and reacting to sensory stimulation. The ability of these children to process sensory information may impacted by either hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to stimulation. Many children who engage in problematic behaviors or anti-social tendencies may actually be experiencing difficulties processing and understanding sensory information and their environment. Occupational therapists use observation and data collection to create a plan that addresses and rectify specific behaviors.
This chapter reviews research collected that is related to the phenomenon of sensory processing disorder. The growing number of sensory processing deficits reported, as well as the frequency in which therapists use sensory based interventions requires a more complete understanding of the intricacies of evidence supporting the use of sensory based interventions. Each of the six studies reviewed in this chapter varies in rigor, design, and construct definition thus producing mixed results. The information is a microcosm of the current landscape of research related to sensory processing disorder.
Posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a form of mental and emotional stress that has been brought on by traumatic events that have taken place in a person’s life. PTSD comes with many kinds of effects some including high-risk behaviors, aggression and shame, sleep disturbances, and attachment(Barr, Kintzle, Sullivan, Castro, 2017; Martindale, Morissette, Rowland, Dolan, 2017; Haller, Norman, Angkaw, 2016; Renaud, 2008). These all are causes of behavioral effects from PTSD that do or may occur in veterans. PTSD can cause bad health risks, but it also has been tested and found that it can also cause bad and unsafe risk behaviors (Barr, Kintzle, Sullivan, Castro 2017). Sleep disturbances are
The dual-diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) is very prevalent. The rate of PTSD and SUD in adults receiving chemical dependency services ranges from 12% to 34% and the rates of trauma throughout the lifetime is even greater (Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Huges, & Nelson, 1995; Langeland & Hartgers, 1998; Najavits, Weiss, & Shaw, 1997; Stewart, 1996; Stewart, Conrod, Pihl, & Dongier, 1999; Triffleman, 1998). Moreover, a dual-diagnosis of PTSD and SUD is two to three times more common amongst woman receiving chemical dependency services in comparison to men receiving the same services (Brown & Wolfe, 1994; Najavits et al., 1998).
Since October is National Sensory Awareness month I chose to write my research paper on a topic dear to my heart. Sensory processing (sometimes called "sensory integration" or SI) 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. Whether you are biting into a hamburger, riding a bicycle, or reading a book, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or "sensory integration." In writing this paper I hope to inspire more awareness of what Sensory Processing Disorder is all about.
We chose to use Dunn’s Sensory Integration (SI) Model to guide our group of children with mild sensory processing disorder (SPD). Clients with SPD have a difficult time performing necessary tasks for occupations, such as schoolwork, because the client’s nervous system has a hard time processing and acting upon sensory signals in appropriate motor and behavioral responses (STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder, 2017). We chose Dunn’s SI approach because it focuses on more sensory systems including olfactory (smell), somatosensory (tactile), proprioceptive (body position), vestibular (balance and movement), auditory (hearing), and visual (sight) in clients who may struggle with processing specific sensory systems due to SPD (Cole, 2012). Dunn’s model also emphasised the importance of