Sensory Processing Disorder
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Up to 90% of children with autism exhibit atypical sensory behaviors and/or characteristics of a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), formerly known as Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) or dysfunction.
Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological disorder that results from the brain’s inability to integrate certain information received by the body’s basic sensory system and sensory signals do not get organized into appropriate responses.
When the sensory process is disordered, a variety of challenges and problems present for the child in learning, development, language, and behavior.
A child’s responses may often appear extreme and inappropriate for the particular situation, and he/she may present as oversensitive or under reactive to their environment, have a tendency to be easily distracted, impulsive, or lack self-control, exhibit social and/or emotional problems, and engage in repetitive and/or self-stimulatory behaviors; delays or abnormalities in language, motor skills, and academic achievement may often be noted.
SPD may often be misdiagnosed as ADHD and/or be especially prevalent in an autism, as both of these disorders manifest sensory integration dysfunction.
SPD is not recognized in any standard medical manuals such as the ICD-10 or the DSM-5, and the committee that prepared the DSM-5 has requested that additional studies be done before the disorder is recognized as a formal diagnosis.
Children with ASD presented with higher rates of atypical sensory processing than children without ASD. [1]
Sensory Processing Disorder can present in a few different ways, and may be different for many children with SPD (see Signs/Symptoms below)
SPD is a common cause for picky eating in children.
Many children with ASD participate in occupational therapy and utilize a "sensory diet" along with learning coping and problem solving strategies taught by a therapist.
Signs & Symptoms
Children with SPD may be categorized as “sensory seekers” or “sensory avoiders”. However, many children with SPD can experience symptoms of both.
Sensory Seekers
Enjoys touching people and textures, and may have a constant need to do so, even if it’s inappropriate
No sense of personal space
May be clumsy or uncoordinated
High tolerance or indifference to pain
Can be a “thrill seeker” and may have no sense of fear, even when it’s dangerous
Doesn’t understand their own strength and may harm other children or pets without meaning to do so
Enjoys to be constantly moving (spinning, jumping, pacing, etc.)
Sensory Avoiders
May have an extreme response or fear of sudden, loud, and high-pitched noises that may not be an issue to others
May be distracted by background noises that aren’t noticed by others
Does not seek touch, and may even avoid hugs and cuddling, even with familiar adults
Dislike of crowds or standing closely to others
May have poor balance or fall often
Fearful of climbing or falling, even when there is no real danger
Next Steps
Diet
Children with SPD may have various feeding issues, depending if they are sensory avoiders or seekers
Avoiders: often are extremely picky eaters, may avoid entire food groups or textures
Seekers: often eat most foods, but may eat extremely fast or “chipmunk” food in their cheeks
Consider foods and supplements that are anti-inflammatory and support gut & brain support
Fermented foods, probiotics, fiber, and prebiotics.
Consume protein at each meal to support neurotransmitters and balance blood sugars.
Remove or reduce foods that may contribute to inflammation
Consider eliminating artificial food dyes
Look into possible food reactions
Opt out of pesticides (like glyphosate) and choose organic produce, when possible. The EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen can be a helpful guide!
Place special emphasis on foods containing methylated B vitamins, such as folate and vitamin B12. Minerals such as zinc, iron, and magnesium may be indicated. You may also consider a multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acids.
Increase foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, leafy greens, and dark chocolates. Antioxidant supplements include glutathione, vitamin E, and CoQ10, among others.
Supplements
Consider a fish oil supplement, as omega-3 fatty acids may help with sensory sensitivity
Lifestyle
Consider looking into a “Sensory Diet”.
A sensory diet actually has nothing to do with food! It’s a carefully designed series of activities tailored to give each child the sensory input they need. This is commonly used in sensory integration therapy.
A sensory diet may be helpful for many children with autism to help reduce overwhelm and promote calmness. Some even say it helps with attention, focus, and socialization.
An Occupational Therapist can help design a Sensory Diet uniquely for your child!
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any supplement or medication, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is a good fit for your child. Dosage can vary based on age, weight, gender, and current diet.
Sensory Processing Disorder in the Research
SPD & Picky Eating
Children who are more sensory sensitive are at higher risk for consistent pickiness as they age. [2]
Children whose parents display relatively higher levels of [sensory] sensitivity are also at higher risk for continued pickiness. [2]
SPD & Dietary Changes
The Mediterranean Diet may have a protective effect against prevalence of atypical sensory processing in school-aged children, though it needs to be explored further. [3]
A case report of a 6-year-old boy with sensory processing disorder tested positive for biotin deficiency and dysbiosis. After several months of high-dose biotin supplementation and herbal treatment for dysbiosis, he was able to transition from special needs classes requiring sensory support into mainstream classes as a neurotypical child with age appropriate language and learning skills and resolution of abnormal sensory behaviors. [4]
SPD & Omega Supplementation
One study measuring omega-3 and omega-6 supplements in toddlers with ASD born preterm showed positive (though not significant) benefits in reduction of behaviors associated with sensory processing disorder in some children. [5-6]
SPD & Autism
Children with ASD presented with higher rates of atypical sensory processing than children without ASD. [1]
Among children with ASD, those with atypical oral sensory sensitivity refused more foods and ate fewer vegetables than those with typical oral sensory sensitivity. [1]
Findings suggest that efforts to address food selectivity in children with ASD may be enhanced by including strategies that address oral sensory processing. [1]
65% of children with ASD showed a definite difference in sensory processing and 21% showed a “probable difference”. These results were significantly related to an increase in the number of eating problems. [7]
ASD, ADHD, and SPD
Children with ASD and ADHD did not differ in sensory processing patterns which were elevated as compared to a TD group. Children with ASD showed the highest rate of oral processing differences, followed by ADHD and TD. Children with ADHD had higher visual processing scores than children with ASD and TD. Older children had lower scores for seeking, auditory, visual, movement, touch, and conduct than younger children, regardless of diagnosis [8]
Sensory Sensitivity & the Gut
One study indicatde that anxiety, sensory over-responsivity and GI problems are possibly interrelated phenomenon for children with ASD, and may have common underlying mechanisms. [9]
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[1] Chistol LT, Bandini LG, Must A, Phillips S, Cermak SA, Curtin C. Sensory Sensitivity and Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018;48(2):583-91.
[2] Steinsbekk S, Bonneville-Roussy A, Fildes A, Llewellyn CH, Wichstrøm L. Child and parent predictors of picky eating from preschool to school age. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017;14(1):87.
[3] Navarrete-Muñoz EM, Fernández-Pires P, Navarro-Amat S, et al. Association between Adherence to the Antioxidant-Rich Mediterranean Diet and Sensory Processing Profile in School-Aged Children: The Spanish Cross-Sectional InProS Project. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1007. Published 2019 May 2. doi:10.3390/nu11051007
[4] Clayton G, Carrera HA, Martin ER, Morrison D, Bawazir AA. A Biomedical Approach Via Telemedicine in the Treatment of a Child With Sensory Processing Disorder Using Diet and High-dose Biotin Intervention: A Case Report. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018;17(4):52-58.
[5] Boone KM, Gracious B, Klebanoff MA, et al. Omega-3 and -6 fatty acid supplementation and sensory processing in toddlers with ASD symptomology born preterm: A randomized controlled trial [published correction appears in Early Hum Dev. 2018 Mar 2;:]. Early Hum Dev. 2017;115:64-70. doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2017.09.015
[6] Mazahery H, Conlon CA, Beck KL, et al. A Randomised-Controlled Trial of Vitamin D and Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children. J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(5):1778-1794. doi:10.1007/s10803-018-3860-y
[7] Nadon G, Feldman DE, Dunn W, Gisel E. Association of sensory processing and eating problems in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res Treat. 2011;2011:541926.
[8] Little LM, Dean E, Tomchek S, Dunn W. Sensory Processing Patterns in Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Typical Development. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2018;38(3):243-254. doi:10.1080/01942638.2017.1390809
[9] Mazurek MO, Vasa RA, Kalb LG, et al. Anxiety, sensory over-responsivity, and gastrointestinal problems in children with autism spectrum disorders. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2013;41(1):165-176. doi:10.1007/s10802-012-9668-x
