Making Life Manageable with Sensory Processing Disorder: Finding Balance Amid the Overwhelm
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is often misunderstood, but it’s an important topic for anyone in therapy or supporting someone who’s neurodivergent. SPD affects how the brain processes sensory information, making everyday things feel overwhelming or difficult. The good news? With the right strategies, people with SPD can lead fulfilling, comfortable lives. Whether you’re here because you suspect SPD might be affecting you, or you’re seeking to understand and support someone else, this guide will help clear things up. Let’s break down some of the most common questions about SPD and make sense of it all!
What Exactly is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
SPD happens when the brain has difficulty organizing and reacting to sensory information—like sights, sounds, touch, and smells. If you find certain textures, sounds, or lights overwhelming or unnoticeable, it’s not your fault—your brain is processing these inputs in a way that feels different. Some people with SPD may feel like they're constantly bombarded with sensory input, making everyday activities uncomfortable or even impossible at times. If you identify with feeling out of sync with your surroundings, SPD might be at play. Understanding that your brain is processing sensory experiences in a different way can be the first step in creating positive change.
Are You Neurodivergent if You Have SPD?
Yes! SPD is part of the neurodivergent umbrella. Neurodivergent means your brain works differently than the "typical" brain—like how a left-handed person experiences the world differently than a right-handed person. If you have SPD, it means your brain processes sensory input in a unique way. So, whether you're recognizing it in yourself or supporting someone else, knowing that SPD is part of being neurodivergent can help you understand that there's nothing wrong, just a different way of experiencing the world.
Common SPD Triggers
Some common SPD triggers include:
Loud noises (like sirens, crowded places, or loud music)
Bright lights (or flickering lights)
Certain textures (like scratchy clothes, food textures, or the feel of certain surfaces)
Strong smells (like perfumes, cleaning products, or foods)
Feeling overwhelmed by crowds or movement (like being in busy malls, concerts, or at a party)
If any of these sound familiar, it could be a clue that you’re dealing with SPD. Even if you haven’t been diagnosed, noticing patterns in how your body reacts to sensory experiences can help you make sense of what you’re going through. And if you're supporting someone with SPD, being aware of these common triggers will allow you to help them manage their environment and minimize overwhelming situations.
How Does SPD Affect Daily Life?
SPD can affect everything from getting dressed to grocery shopping, and even socializing with friends or colleagues. Simple tasks can become overwhelming when sensory input becomes too much to handle. If you're someone with SPD, you might avoid certain activities, places, or social events because they’re just too sensory-stimulating. This can lead to frustration, isolation, or misunderstandings. However, with the right support, strategies, and understanding, managing SPD becomes more doable, and you can still enjoy life’s everyday moments. If you suspect SPD in yourself, recognizing how it affects your daily activities is the first step in developing strategies to make those situations more manageable.
Support for Sensory Processing Disorder
Occupational Therapy
The best therapy for SPD is Occupational Therapy (OT). OTs are trained to help people develop strategies for managing sensory challenges. They use a type of therapy called Sensory Integration Therapy, which helps you gradually adjust to different sensory inputs, improving your comfort level in overwhelming situations. If you're living with SPD, therapy with an OT can help you feel more in control of your sensory experiences. And if you're supporting someone with SPD, OTs can help develop a personalized plan that makes everyday life more manageable.
Mental Health Counseling
Counseling can provide support for not just sensory overload, but for emotional resilience, stress management, and working through feelings of isolation or frustration that can come with it. Therapy can help you develop coping tools, build emotional strength, and address any anxiety or self-doubt that might come up from dealing with sensory challenges. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Mindfulness-Based Therapy can also be helpful in learning to calm both the mind and body when overwhelmed by sensory input.
Diagnosis Process for Sensory Processing Disorder
SPD can be diagnosed by a trained occupational therapist (OT). If you’ve been feeling like your sensory experiences don’t align with what others seem to experience, talking to an OT can be the first step toward getting the support you need. They’ll assess how you react to different sensory inputs and how those reactions affect your daily life. If you suspect you have SPD, getting a diagnosis can help you access the right resources and therapies to manage your sensory world in a more comfortable way.
Is SPD Only a Childhood Issue?
Nope! While SPD is often diagnosed in children, it doesn’t go away as people grow older. Many adults with SPD have learned to manage their sensory experiences over time, but it doesn’t mean they no longer face challenges. Adults may still experience sensory sensitivities and need therapy to improve their coping strategies. So, if you’re an adult wondering if SPD might be affecting you, it’s worth exploring therapy options to refine your coping skills. If you’re supporting an adult with SPD, you might find that their needs evolve, and therapy can help them develop new strategies for managing sensory overload as life changes.
How to Help Someone with Sensory Processing Disorder
If you’re living with SPD, you probably know how difficult it can be to express your sensory needs in a way that others can understand. That’s why it’s helpful when the people around you take the time to listen and learn what triggers your sensory overload. If you’re supporting someone with SPD, try understanding their sensory preferences—maybe they need a quiet space, calming tools like noise-canceling headphones, or a soft weighted blanket. Be patient and flexible with routines and avoid pushing them too hard when they need space. Creating an environment where they feel respected and comfortable can make all the difference. And if you're reading this because you suspect SPD in yourself, these same principles—like allowing space, understanding your triggers, and creating routines—can help you feel more supported in your day-to-day life.
Life Can Be Manageable
Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder is about empathy and recognizing that everyone’s sensory world is different. Whether you're the one experiencing SPD or supporting someone else, knowing how it impacts daily life is crucial for creating a supportive environment. With the right therapy, coping tools, and a little patience, people with SPD can thrive and feel empowered in their unique sensory experiences.
No matter where you are on your SPD journey—whether you’re just learning about it or you’ve been navigating it for years—remember that there are solutions, support, and understanding out there. You’re not alone, and help is available to make things easier and more manageable.
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References and Further Reading:
STAR Institute for Sensory Processing: https://sensoryhealth.org/
Understood.org. (n.d.). Sensory processing issues: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-sensory-processing-challenges
