If you’re a parent or caregiver, you may have come across terms like Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory input, and sensory overload while researching neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
SPD vs autism
Let me take you back to the beginning of our journey. When we arrived in Arizona, I reached out to the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), a comprehensive support system for families with infants and toddlers, aged birth to three, facing disabilities or developmental delays. Little did we know that this initial step would lead us to uncover more about our son’s unique needs. Initially, we were informed that he had Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), which left me puzzled. Not only was I unfamiliar with sensory processing issues, but I was also trying to connect the dots between it and his speech challenges.
Until that point, I believed speech therapy was all he needed. Little did I know that this was just the beginning, as our journey took an unexpected turn, and we were soon advised to pursue an autism evaluation. This twist brought about a new perspective on our son’s needs and the vital role that sensory integration therapy played in his growth and development.
*Pro-Tip: make mental notes of when your kids complete certain milestones. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to answer when he crawled, sat, walked, etc. It honestly makes filling out paperwork so much easier.
Can SPD be mistaken for autism?
Yes, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can sometimes be mistaken for autism, especially in young children. SPD and autism share some similarities in their symptoms, which can lead to confusion during the diagnosis of autism. Children with sensory processing problems and autism may exhibit sensory sensitivities, social challenges, and communication difficulties, making it challenging to differentiate between the two distinct disorders. Both SPD and Autism involve the way a child’s brain processes sensory information, but they are distinct neurological conditions with unique characteristics.
What is SPD?
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction, is a condition where the brain has difficulty organizing and responding to basic sensory information from the environment. Children with SPD may be oversensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive) to sensory stimuli, such as touch, taste, sound, sight, and smell.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Sensory issues are a common feature of ASD, but it’s essential to recognize that not all children with Autism experience SPD, and not all children with SPD have Autism.
What are some common traits of autism and sensory processing disorder SPD?
It’s important to note that some traits of SPD and Autism can overlap, leading to confusion and misdiagnosis. For instance, both conditions may involve sensory-seeking behaviors, such as spinning or seeking deep pressure. Additionally, difficulties in processing sensory information can impact a child’s behavior, attention, and learning in both cases.
What is the difference between autism and sensory processing disorder?
Symptoms of SPD:
Sound Sensitivity: A child with SPD may cover their ears or become distressed in noisy environments, such as crowded classrooms or busy shopping malls.
Tactile Defensiveness: A child with SPD may resist or become anxious when touched, especially in unexpected or light touches.
Motor Coordination Difficulties: A child with SPD may struggle with activities like riding a bike, tying shoelaces, or using utensils due to poor fine motor skills.
Overwhelmed by Lights: Bright lights or flashing visuals may cause distress for a child with SPD, making events like fireworks displays challenging.
Symptoms of Autism:
Difficulty with Social Interaction: Autistic people may have difficulty understanding social cues, making eye contact, or engaging in reciprocal conversations.
Repetitive Behaviors: Repetitive movements like hand flapping, rocking, or lining up toys are common in Autism.
Fixated Interests: An autistic person may have intense interests in specific topics and struggle with shifting their attention to other activities.
Challenges in Nonverbal Communication: Difficulty using gestures, facial expressions, or body language for social communication is a hallmark of Autism.
Can a person have autism without sensory processing disorder?
As we met with the therapists and evaluators, we were pleasantly surprised by their warmth and willingness to guide us through this journey. When they delved into the details of sensory processing disorder, it was like they were speaking directly about Santana – every aspect fit him perfectly. Having a name for what we were experiencing brought a sense of relief and clarity to our lives. Now, let me shed some light on this: SPD is now recognized as a separate condition, meaning a child can have SPD without having autism, and vice versa.
It’s essential to understand that while SPD can be a symptom of autism, not everyone with SPD is autistic. I hope that clears things up a bit! To add to the complexity, only certain healthcare professionals are qualified to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). So, at that moment, we were solely focused on speech therapy – and I won’t lie, it did feel a bit overwhelming! But little did we know that this was just the beginning of our journey, and with the right support, we were about to witness incredible progress in Santana’s development.
What does sensory processing disorder look like in our child?
You know, at first, many of Santana’s behaviors seemed like typical “boy stuff,” so we didn’t pay too much attention to them. But as I dove into mountains of paperwork and answered countless questions, I began to wonder if there was more to it than meets the eye. That evaluation turned out to be a real eye-opener! The therapists revealed that Santana is what they call a “sensory seeker.”
It sounded intriguing – a sensory seeker? It turns out he’s super active and has an insatiable appetite for sensory experiences in his daily life. It’s like his world is a thrilling playground, and he’s always on the lookout for new adventures. It was a revelation that shed light on his unique way of experiencing the world around him. It’s incredible how understanding his sensory preferences has helped us create an environment where he can thrive and enjoy life to the fullest!
Sensory processing difficulties we noticed:
- difficulty getting his attention, he ignores you. Sometimes he gets so involved in what he’s doing that he really doesn’t hear you.
- hates getting his hair cut or combed
- he trips all the time
- he doesn’t mind strong odors (think farts! LOL)
- hates wearing shoes
- likes to make loud noises
- looks at shiny, spinning objects. Sometimes when we are in a parking lot he has to touch all the car emblems.
- his speech was hard to understand
- he doesn’t like being touched unless he initiates it.
- he loves hanging upside down
- he’s always jumping off of stuff, it’s like he doesn’t have a sense of danger
- absolutely loves bear hugs
- he doesn’t really have a sense of personal space, he is always in everyone else’s space
- he has a hard time with transitions
- enjoys playing with food
- enjoys splashing in water
- eats non-edible items
These aren’t all of the symptoms, but if you are curious you can find a comprehensive list of diagnostic criteria here: https://www.spdstar.org/basic/symptoms-checklist
Understanding the differences between SPD vs. Autism
Let me tell you about our ongoing journey with Santana and his progress! Initially, we started with weekly speech therapy sessions, which were incredibly beneficial. Then we also added occupational therapy. As he turned three, he phased out of the AzEIP program, and we were fortunate to enroll him in a developmental preschool. Now, he’s not only working with therapists at school but also at home, doubling the fun and learning!
You know, one of the reasons we decided to share our story is that we’ve encountered many comments and misconceptions about Santana’s communication and sensory challenges. Some people might not grasp the complexity of his experience, especially as he’s grown older and made tremendous strides. People sometimes assume that because he doesn’t fit a stereotypical image of autism, he couldn’t possibly be on the spectrum. But we know better.
Autism is a diverse spectrum, and Santana’s journey is uniquely his own.
We’re eager to share with you the incredible progress Santana has made. He’s constantly learning, growing, and overcoming obstacles in his own remarkable way. And we’re here to prove that every child’s experience is distinct, especially when it comes to families of Black autistic children like us. So, stay tuned as we continue this incredible ride and celebrate Santana’s triumphs and successes!
Understanding the differences between Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be complex. However, it’s crucial for parents and caregivers to recognize and address sensory sensitivities in children. Remember, each child is unique, and early childhood intervention and support can make a significant difference in their development and overall well-being. If you suspect that your child may be experiencing sensory processing challenges or developmental differences, it’s essential to seek professional evaluation and guidance. A qualified Occupational therapist, pediatricians, and developmental specialists can help identify and differentiate between SPD and Autism, ensuring your child receives appropriate treatment and interventions.
Thanks for explaining. I have done some research after learning of Santana’s diagnosis. It has been hard to understand because of our distance. This helps. I am so proud of how you and Courtney handles his development. You are amazing parents. Thanks so much for sharing. Auntie Kaye.