What is SPD?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is the newer terminology for Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID). Sensory processing disorder is simply what happens when the sensory information from the environment and from within our own bodies does NOT get organized and interpreted correctly and efficiently by the brain. Think of how it feels when you get brushed on the arm standing close to someone in line at the grocery store with the bright over head lights on, music playing on the stereo system, with cash register and other shopper’s noise filling the air. For most of us, we take all that information in, register what is important, and disregard what is not. A child with sensory processing disorder may misinterpret that light brush on the arm as an actual painful physical input, struggling with blocking out the light and noise, and begin to feel fearful and overwhelmed. So the next time you see a child having a complete meltdown in line at the grocery store, think “Maybe his sensory system is still developing….”