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Causes of Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing disorder (SPD), or sensory integration dysfunction was first written about by A. Jean Ayres in her seminal work "Sensory Integration and Learning Disorders" in 1972. She first named the spectrum of symptoms children display when they are too sensitive to various types of stimuli or on the flip side are insensitive to pain.

  1. Genetic Causation

    • Over the last 37 years, no one has been able to pinpoint the real cause of SPD. Even the leading expert on SPD, Lucy Jane Miller Ph.D., states this in her book "Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder." Dr. Miller believes that SPD like other neurobiological disorders, such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and Asperger's syndrome, is inherited.

    Disorders Common to Sensory Processing Disorder

    • There are several risk factors that can predispose a child to displaying symptoms of SPD. If a child is affected by the spectrum of disorders that include autism, pervasive development disorder or Asperger's syndrome, he is at high risk for SPD. Also, children who have fetal alcohol syndrome, down syndrome, fragile x syndrome ADD or ADHD can also display symptoms of SPD. These disorders have proven to be the most prevalent risk factors.

    Other Risk Factors of SPD

    • Since SPD is a dysfunction of neurological mechanisms, children who don't receive tactile and neurological stimulation at crucial points in their lives--such as living in an institution or having extended hospital stays during the first year of life--can lead to the development of SPD. Because tactile stimulation is important, children who received food by tube feeding rather than sucking from a bottle or breast didn't receive enough oral stimulation.

    Factors Affecting Brain Development

    • Factors that affect brain development can alter a child's potential for displaying SPD. If a pregnant mother uses alcohol and street drugs, the child is at risk for SPD because alcohol and illegal substances affect brain development. If a developing fetus or a young child is in contact with toxins, she may be more likely to show signs of SPD.

    Gifted and Talented Children

    • Gifted and talented children also have a tendency to have problems processing sensory stimuli.

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