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What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

A condition where one or more of the senses receive signals but the person finds it hard to process and respond appropriately. A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving  the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. Sensory information goes into the brain but does not get organized into appropriate responses. Those with SPD perceive and/or respond to sensory information differently than most other people. When one gets overloaded, the rest can be bogged down. It can result in motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, school challenges,etc. Professionals can help determine what areas prove the most difficult.

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What is Sensory Discrimination Disorder?

A person's brain confuses input which challenges a person's ability to figure out the source, frequency or pitch of a sensation. For this reason, a person has difficulty with their environment and learning.

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What is Sensory Motor Disorder?

Children have a hard time coordinating their minds with their bodies. All sensory-based motor disorders are lifelong disorders.  ​Click on the senses to learn more about them and spot the red flags

• Visual System

•  Auditory System

•  Tactile Sensitivity (touch)

•  Olfactory System (smell)

•  Gustatory System (taste)

•  Vestibular System (movement)

• Proprioception System (deep pressure)

• Interoception System

• Kinesthetic

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Sensory-Based Motor Disorder: is defined as a motor challenge with an underlying sensory basis. All sensory-based motor disorders are lifelong disorders.

Sensory Discrimination Disorder: A person's brain jumbles or confuses information, making it difficult for them to determine the source, frequency or pitch of a sensation.

Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD): is a neurological function and is the organization of sensory information for on-going use. Efficient sensory modulation is the ability to effectively regulate the degree to which one is influenced by various sensory inputs.

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Tactile Overresponsivity (Tactile Defensiveness)... So That's Why He Acts That Way!

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How does Sensory Processing impact handwriting?

• The lower body to have proper support for writing.

• Needs assistance to write with appropriate pressure.

• Needs assistance with positioning of letters like b, d, p, and q.

• Needs to build fine motor skills to hold the pencil with three fingers.

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How does Sensory Processing affect handwriting?

• Needs assistance with determining how much pressure to use when holding a writing utensil.

• Needs help with determining the difference between letter placement/position like b, d, q, etc.

• Weakened strength in fine muscles needed to appropriately hold a pencil.

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Therapies to address SPD:

• Physical therapy using a sensory integration approach (PT-SI)

• Vision therapy to improve eye-motor skills for people who have trouble reading, merging into traffic, or writing

• Listening therapy (LT), which asks people with auditory issues to listen to a variety of sound frequencies and patterns to stimulate the brain while doing other motor tasks like walking on a balance beam

• Psychotherapy for people who have developed a mood disorder or anxiety because of SPD

• Speech and language therapy

 

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child. While you can’t change the entire world around them, you can help them feel more secure at home — and her bedroom is a great place to start. Check out this article to create a safe haven for your child to retreat to.  DIY Projects that Will Help Create a Sensory-friendly Bedroom for Children with Autism

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38 Activities for Sensory Play. A small sampling of activities of the things children can do to help their sensory systems develop.

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Recommended books:

Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Starting Sensory Integration Therapy: Fun Activities That Won't Destroy Your Home or Classroom

The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder: Easy, Everyday Solutions to Sensory Challenges

The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Revised Edition: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder

The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder

The Sensory Child Gets Organized: Proven Systems for Rigid, Anxious, or Distracted Kids

The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up: Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder in the Adolescent and Young Adult Years

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Local Providers:

Most OT therapists incorporate sensory activities, click here to be redirected to the OT therapy page.

 

Popular products that address sensory needs:

 

Hanna Anderson Girls Underwear

Seamless Hipster Underwear

Sensory Sack

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​Tips on designing your own sensory room at home:

Sensory Room: How to Build a Successful Sensory Room for Greater Brain Development

Anxious Child: Toys for Anxious Children, Self-Regulation and Emotional Grounding

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​Lehigh Valley Sensory Friendly Community Outings:

 

Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom

Where: 4000 Dorney Park Rd, Allentown, PA 18104

Website

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Move N Play

Where: 551 E Station Ave, Coopersburg, PA 18036

Call: 267-730-6190

Website

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​​Pocono Raceway

Thanks to a financial donation from KultureCity, this popular place for families now has an inclusive playground that address sensory needs.

Where: 1234 Long Pond Road, Long Pond, PA 18334

Website

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West End Fair “Sensory-Friendly Morning” during the fair

Our morning consisted of rides and games with low or no lights and sounds, quieter and less crowded fairgrounds, Farmer for a Day experience executed by professional teachers and para professionals, livestock area open for viewing and some food stands and other vendors open to add to the experience of what going to the fair is all about. 

Call: 570-992-1497

Email: wefasensory@outlook.com

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Outside Lehigh Valley Sensory Friendly Outings:

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Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)-The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is dedicated to welcoming to all visitors and ensuring their full participation in the natural sciences. This webpage provides information to plan your visit. For the Mobility Impaired, the main entrance is wheelchair accessible. For the Visually Impaired, there are some exhibits that will be of special interest. Service Animals Welcome!  Sign Language Interpretation. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University provides visitors with autism the opportunity to experience the museum in a secure and comfortable environment. The museum provides specific tools and tactics, such as museum stories, to help plan your visit.

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The Bucks County Children's Museum (New Hope, PA)- The Bucks County Children’s Museum is an idea a local elementary and special education teacher had dreamed of for many years. While raising three children in Bucks County, she experienced the rich history and culture of the area. With the idea of raising awareness and a “sense of place”, she wanted to find a way to educate other young families about the uniqueness of the county while preserving its history and beauty. Combining Bucks County history with fun hands-on learning experiences for families to share in evolved, and she began to present this exciting idea to the community.

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Choo Choo Barn (Strasburg, PA)-For train lovers...Our 1,700 square foot train layout features over 150 hand-built animated figures and vehicles and 22 operating trains…we guarantee the Choo Choo Barn is like nothing you've ever seen!

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The Franklin Insititute: Sensory Alert Maps – will guide you through certain devices or experiences in each exhibit that may have high levels of stimulation. The guides will give you helpful tips as you explore. Sensory backpacks, quiet places, and return visit voucher. During Sensory Friendly Sundays, our exhibits will be modified to provide an opportunity for people on the autism spectrum and with a range of differing abilities to experience all The Franklin Institute has to offer. Event Hours: 8:00am-12:00pm. NEXT FOR AUTISM™ and GSK Science in the Summer™ are proud to underwrite the price of admission for up to 6 guests per group at Sensory Friendly Sunday. Free admission will be available from 8:00-9:30 am on a first-come, first-serve basis. We highly suggest that guests pre-register. ACCESS Cardholders receive a discounted admission of $2.00 per person, up to 4 people per group.

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Fulton Theatre (Lancaster, PA)-Parents of young people with a sensory need can be reluctant to attend live theatre.  Dedicated to inclusion, Fulton Theatre invites families with a child with a sensory need or other social, cognitive and physical challenges to participate in our Sensory Friendly Program at any Family Saturday Morning Series.  We provide supports and resources for young people with a special need at all of our Family Series Productions. 

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KidZooU at the Philadelphia Zoo: KidZooU is completely wheelchair accessible. Be sure to check out the ramped pathway where children can get nose-to-nose and eye-to-eye with a variety of goats. Children can also view the monkeys traveling high up in the Treetop Trails through a 18-foot tall giant spotting scope! A dedicated quiet space is located near the entrance of KidZooU behind the outdoor restrooms. This quiet space has gate access and is a naturalistic area with park benches. There is a KidZooUPix symbol on the gate entrance identifying it as a quiet space. Philadelphia Zoo has identified quiet areas throughout the Zoo. Click here to download the Zoo’s Quiet Spaces Map.

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Lincoln Field (Philadelphia Eagles): In collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a long partner of the Eagles in autism-related endeavors, and KultureCity, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the world to benefit those with sensory needs, the Linc becomes one of the first sports stadiums to build a sensory-inclusive certified room within the venue.

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People’s Light & Theatre Company (Malvern, PA)-We aim to make our campus and programming accessible and enjoyable to everyone through a range of accommodations and resources.