Common Symptoms Of Sensory Processing Disorder

Unresponsive To Sensations Around Them

SPD can also result in a delayed or absent response to sensory information. When an individual is unresponsive to sensations around them, they appear withdrawn and difficult to engage. Sensory stimuli go unnoticed, or the response to such stimuli is delayed or otherwise unusual. Someone who is unresponsive to sensations may have symptoms involving just one sense or across multiple senses. It is possible to be under-responsive with regard to one sense while another sense is overly sensitive.

An under-responsive person may not notice someone is talking to them and may not even react to very loud noises. This person may use an inappropriately loud voice or listen to extremely loud music. Someone who is unresponsive to tactile sensations may not notice if something is very hot or cold. A child with a low tactile response may not feel pain from bruises, cuts, or even broken bones. Even when an under-responsive person reacts to a sensation, the response may be noticeably less intense than would be expected.

Poor Coordination And Balance

The proprioception and vestibular systems affect body movement and balance. Problems with these lesser-known senses can manifest as poor coordination and balance in a person with sensory processing disorder. The proprioception system involves messages to the muscles and how much pressure or force to use, while the vestibular system controls how movement is experienced.

Poor coordination and balance result when these systems are out of sync. A patient with SPD may appear clumsy or uncoordinated because they cannot accurately sense how much pressure to use when walking, running or climbing. They may often trip or move with a noticeably heavier gait. Someone with poor proprioception may appear overly rough or aggressive because they are unaware of how much force they are actually using. Individuals with sensory processing disorder often struggle with sports due to insufficient coordination and balance. Throwing, kicking, or hitting a ball require the proprioceptive and vestibular system to be in sync. Certain movements do not come easily to these patients.