Childhood Disabilities & Disorders

Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing disorder (also referred to as sensory integration dysfunction) is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to organize sensory information (as it comes through the senses) for use by the brain.

The terms “sensory processing disorder” and “sensory integration dysfunction” are general terms used to describe any such difficulty. A number of conditions may include a sensory integration dysfunction, including autism and schizophrenia. Sensory processing problems may also arise in relative isolation.

Individuals can be hypersensitive or hyposensitive:

  • Hypersensitivity refers to being oversensitive to sensory input. It may appear as though these individuals overreact to sensory stimuli, such as light and noise.
  • Hyposensitive refers to being undersensitive to sensory input. These individuals do not react, or barely notice sensory stimuli, such as touch or loud noises.

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