What is SPD?
Sensory processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological syndrome that is commonly seen in pediatric and psychiatric practices. Unfortunately, SPD is not well understood by the medical community. Moderate to severe cases often come to the attention of a psychiatrist because of the significant impairing symptoms. These symptoms include:
• skin hypersensitivity • acoustic hypersensitivity • oral hypersensitivity • olfactory hypersensitivity • motor incoordination • poor frustration tolerance • aggression
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • insomnia • anxiety • mood disorder

Early Detection
Many children with SPD have symptoms that begin at birth. Poor sleep, excessive agitation, and reflux are common early symptoms. By the time their children with SPD are two years old, many parents notice ongoing poor sleep and fussiness about clothes and fabrics; many SPD children prefer to have little, if any, clothes on. They often seem strong willed and easily agitated.

Early detection is important so that parents can receive education about SPD. Education helps parents understand the causes of the child’s behavior, which helps alleviate the anger and guilt they may accrue from the challenges of raising a child with SPD.

Early Intervention
Occupational therapy (OT) is essential in the treatment of SPD. It is the most effective when delivered to children between the ages of 2 and 10. OT helps ease both the hypersensitivity and the motor incoordination symptoms of SPD. In addition to OT, many patients have consequent behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that benefit from psychopharmacological management.

Insomnia, agitation, anxiety and mood symptoms can be greatly reduced by a mood stabilizer. ADHD symptoms are often relieved by medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

SPD is a disorder that, in many cases, has a genetic component and has a multitude of symptoms. Successful treatment requires the help of knowledgeable professionals from the fields of psychiatry, pediatrics, OT and others.

Rex A. Birkmire, M.D. is a board cerified psychiatrist, who treats children, adolescents and adults. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and completed his residency at Harvard. He is a national spekaer, who presents over 100 lectures per year on various psychiatric issues.