How is Sensory Processing Disorder related or unrelated to high sensitivity? In some ways they are very different, but in others, there appears to be some overlap.
First of all, Sensory Processing Disorder is a disorder, and high sensitivity isn’t.
Sensory Processing Disorder means that your brain isn’t getting the information needed to interpret your senses. This can make everyday tasks difficult. “A person with SPD may over-respond to sensation and find clothing, physical contact, light, sound, food, or other sensory input to be unbearable. Another might under-respond and show little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain or extreme hot and cold.” (source: spdfoundation.net)
As Dr. Elaine Aron writes, if there is an obvious red flag in a child’s development–like not rolling over by 7 months or not walking by 18 months–this is not just high sensitivity.
But in other instances, it is not so clear cut.
The overlap could occur where less-obvious Sensory Processing Disorder symptoms could be interpreted as regular sensitivity–when a person is deemed too sensitive to things. Do they have Sensory Processing Disorder or are they just highly sensitive?
For more information, read Dr. Elaine Aron’s explanation of the difference between HSP and SPD. (It’s much better than mine.)
And visit the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation.
photo credit gratisography.com
Such a resourceful site. Albert Einstein could not talk until he was 4 years old yet he was such a bright fellow … Was he a HSP or did he have a sensory processing disorder? Kind think the two may be related in some instances …
Einstein likely had Asperger’s Syndrome.
There isn’t enough information online distinguishing between HSP and SPD (Modulation disorder aspect of it; over-responsiveness). The information that is provided isn’t clear enough. There’s obviously not enough research distinguishing the two but the way each is perceived is completely different which is why more research is needed. HSP trait is seen to be normal that cannot and should not be treated. SPD, on the other hand, is a disorder that can and should be treated.
It may be understandably difficult for HSPs to feel normal and live normal lives in a society that consists and is built of 80% non-HSPs and their preferences. It is easy to feel out of place and to experience disturbance in “normal” environments. As a result this can be viewed as impaired functioning that interferes with everyday life of an HSP, and can be quickly perceived as abnormal and something to be cured – hence a SPD diagnosis can be applied.
Being a natural trait occurring in over 100 species, HSP trait should be left alone and adopted to. We have a problem when an HSP is diagnosed with SPD.
I, for all I know, cannot understand which one I would fall under. With the research I’ve done I honestly feel the two are the same, but Sensory Modulation Disorder is simply a negative way to view an HSP trait in a society that hasn’t accommodated HSPs enough for them to function normally.
Is it possible for a person to be highly sensitive and to have SPD