Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

This is the newest term for, and is used syn­ony­mously with, Sensory Integration Disorder or Sensory Integration Dysfunction. The term "sen­sory inte­gra­tion" is still being used to describe the the­ory and treat­ment, based on the orig­i­nal work of A. Jean Ayres. Sensory Processing Disorder is used to define and describe the disorder/​dysfunction symptoms-​​-​​in hopes of mak­ing this a uni­ver­sally accepted "med­ical diagnosis"--thus enabling insur­ance reim­burse­ment for eval­u­a­tion and treatment.

Sensory inte­gra­tion dys­func­tion is an often unrec­og­nized dis­or­der that is seen in oth­er­wise typ­i­cally func­tion­ing indi­vid­u­als as well as those with autism, atten­tion deficit dis­or­der, learn­ing dis­abil­i­ties, and other neu­ro­log­i­cal con­di­tions. These indi­vid­u­als are not able to effec­tively process infor­ma­tion from their senses (touch, hear­ing, sight, taste, smell, and move­ment), result­ing in delays in motor skills and prob­lems with self-​​regulation, atten­tion, and behavior.

Understanding Sensory Integration
from LDOnline.org

Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation
As the leader in Sensory Processing Disorder research, education and advocacy, the SPD Foundation offers an abundance of services and programs for professionals, parents, and anyone interested in knowing more about the sensory challenges that affect children academically, socially, and/or in their emotional development.

The Spiral Founation at OTA Watertown
The SPIRAL (Sensory Processing Institute for Research and Learning) Foundation is a research and education non-profit organization that specializes in helping families, children and adults with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and related diagnoses lead more productive and enjoyable lives through advancing knowledge of sensory integration theory, and assessment and intervention for SPD. The Spiral Foundation was founded in 2001, by its parent company, Occupational Therapy Associates -Watertown, P.C. (OTA), with a mission to provide information and support regarding sensory processing through research and community education.

Sensory Processing Disorder Resource Center
Through this site, you will begin to understand - or further understand, why your child does the things he/she does.  Now you can take this information and positively influence, understand, validate, "treat", support, and help so many children who are behaviorally and emotionally "imprisoned" by their ineffective perception and interpretation of sensory input.