|| First published: | Last edited: || 📚🕒 Reading Time: < 1 minutes Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition that affects the way an individual’s brain processes and responds to sensory information from their environment.
SPD can manifest in various ways, such as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to stimuli like sound, touch, taste, smell, or movement. These sensory challenges can significantly impact a person’s daily life, causing discomfort, anxiety, and difficulties with attention, social interaction, and motor skills.
Too many sensory stimuli can be overwhelming and it can lead to sensory overload.
Related terms
Misophonia
Misophonia is a neurodivergent condition characterized by an intense emotional and physiological response to specific sounds. People with misophonia experience strong negative reactions, such as anger, anxiety, or disgust, when exposed to certain sounds. These sounds can vary from person to person but commonly include chewing, slurping, tapping, or repetitive noises.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity, also known as sensory over-responsivity, is a condition characterized by an extreme sensitivity or heightened response to sensory stimuli from the environment. Individuals with hypersensitivity may have a seemingly exaggerated reaction to various sensory inputs, such as sound, touch, taste, smell, or visual stimuli. These sensitivities can result in discomfort, distress, or even pain, …
Hyposensitivity
Hyposensitivity, also known as sensory underresponsivity, is a condition characterized by a reduced sensitivity or diminished response to sensory stimuli from the environment.
Individuals with hyposensitivity may have difficulty with detecting or processing sensory inputs, such as sound, touch, taste, smell, or visual stimuli. They may require more intense or prolonged sensory stimulation to register and respond to the sensation.
Sensory avoiding
Sensory avoiding, also known as sensory under responsivity, refers to a pattern of behaviour where individuals actively try to avoid or minimize exposure to sensory stimuli. These individuals may have a heightened sensitivity to sensory input and may find certain sensations overwhelming or discomforting. As a result, they may engage in behaviours such as avoiding …
Sensory meltdown
A feeling of immense distress, a sensory meltdown is a strong reaction to overwhelm caused by too much information, noise, sights or sounds, smells or touch.
Sensory-seeking
Sensory-seeking refers to a behavioural pattern or tendency in individuals where they actively seek out and engage in sensory experiences or stimuli. Individuals may have a heightened desire for sensory input and actively seek activities or environments that provide intense or stimulating sensations.
Stimulus
A stimulus (plural: stimuli) refers to any physical or sensory input from the environment that elicits a response or reaction from someone. It can be any sensory information, such as sound, light, touch, taste, or smell, that triggers a biological or behavioural response. Stimuli can range from simple to complex and can have varying degrees …
