If the noise of a crowd of people throws you completely off track or you find the label in your sweater unbearable, you are not alone. People with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) experience the world in a way that neurotypical people often find difficult to comprehend. But what exactly is SPD? And why does it feel like your brain processes the stimuli of the world differently?
What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological condition in which the brain has a hard time processing and organizing stimuli from the environment. This means that sensory stimuli – such as sounds, smells, touches or movements – can be over- or under-sensed. This mismatch can lead to enormous stress, which manifests itself both physically and emotionally. It can also lead to social ostracization.
For example, while you might be standing at a concert enjoying the bass of the music, for a person with SPD, the same sound feels like a punch directly to the nervous system. The brain can’t “dial down” the stimuli, and every vibration becomes an assault on the senses.
Is Sensory Processing Disorder a form of autism?
There is a close link between SPD and autism. Many people with autism also show symptoms of SPD. It is estimated that up to 90% of people on the autism spectrum have difficulties with sensory processing. However, you can have SPD without an autism diagnosis. SPD affects people of all ages and neurodivergent diagnoses, from ADHD to trauma survivors.
However, SPD is often overlooked, especially in adults. While children’s sensory challenges are more obvious – such as refusing to wear certain clothing or covering their ears from loud noises – many adults learn to compensate for their sensory overload. But that doesn’t mean they no longer have these issues.
What does a Sensory Processing Disorder feel like?
To understand what SPD feels like, imagine entering a crowded supermarket. The fluorescent lights flicker harshly, the shopping carts squeak, and the music blares in the background. You might be able to tune it all out. For someone with SPD, however, there is no escape. Every single source of stimulation is perceived more strongly and unpleasantly.
Here are some typical sensory experiences for people with SPD:
- Sensitivity to noise: Loud noises – or even supposedly quiet, but repetitive noises like a ticking alarm clock – can cause sensory overload. This often manifests itself in restlessness, stress or even tantrums, as the brain is overloaded.
- Touch: Many people with SPD have difficulties with certain materials or clothing. A seemingly innocent tag in a T-shirt can feel like sandpaper against the skin.
- Sensitivity to light: Bright light or flickering screens can be uncomfortable or painful, causing eye strain and headaches.
- Balance and motion: Some people experience a dysregulation in their vestibular system. They may have difficulty riding in an elevator or feel uncomfortable in a moving car.
Are sensory issues a sign of ADHD or autism?
Both ADHD and autism often involve sensory sensitivities. In ADHD, sensory issues can lead to increased distractibility as the mind constantly jumps between different stimuli. In autism, on the other hand, sensory challenges are often more intense and lead to deeper overstimulation, which can result in meltdowns.
However, there are differences: in ADHD, the focus is on regulating attention, while in autism, it is sometimes more on how social and sensory information is processed.
How can SPD be diagnosed?
There is no single Sensory Processing Disorder Test that clearly diagnoses SPD. Instead, symptoms are assessed by specialized therapists (often occupational therapists) who identify sensory challenges and create individualized treatment plans. An SPD checklist often helps with this, documenting daily difficulties such as overreactions to noise, problems with certain textures, or difficulties concentrating in noisy environments.
Living with Sensory Processing Disorder: Coping Strategies
People with SPD often develop their own strategies for dealing with sensory overload. Here are some tips:
- Create quiet spaces: A place of retreat, such as a darkened room or noise-cancelling headphones, can help minimize sensory overload.
- Occupational therapy: Many people with SPD benefit from occupational therapy that focuses on regulating the nervous system and facilitating processing.
- Sensory diet: This doesn’t mean giving up food, but rather incorporating targeted sensory activities into your daily routine to help calm the nervous system. This might include rocking, pressure massage, or specific exercises.
My Conclusion: Take Sensory Processing Disorder seriously
SPD is a serious challenge that can significantly impact daily life. For neurotypical people, it may be difficult to imagine how intense and overwhelming everyday stimuli can be. However, people with SPD experience constant sensory overload that cannot be easily “turned off”.
The first step to managing SPD is to recognize and accept it. There are many ways to deal with sensory overload, but most importantly, know that you are not alone and you are not crazy.
Remember that what you feel can be a special strength. Many of the world’s greatest artists, musicians and writers have used their intense sensory experiences to create works that touch other people. Art thrives on strong sensations – and you, with your sensitivity, have the unique ability to perceive the world in a way that often remains hidden from others. Your intense experiences are not a flaw, but a source of creative power. Don’t be discouraged – this sensitivity can open up ways for you to create deeper connections with your environment and with other people. Your sensations are your gift, and the world needs people who are able to feel things intensely. Your relationship to creative expression can be a positive interaction and coping mechanism for your strong feelings. Creative expression can help you to release pressure after a sensorially intense experience, and at the same time, if you already identify as a creative person, you can be sure that there is nothing wrong with you, but that your particular perception of the world is an invitation from life to lean more into this sensitivity and get to know it instead of suppressing it. Let’s be honest… We can’t get rid of it anyway, so why not lean in, take advantage of it, and enjoy it? (Maybe even make money out of it someday? Who knows!)
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