A majority of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience sensory processing disorders (SPD) or sensory integration disorder (SID) -- two names for the same problem: not processing the 5 senses like the rest of us. For example, a child with ASD may cover their ears and scream when the school bell rings b/c it actually hurts. That same child however may not respond to their own name because they have a hypo-auditory response, in other words, their brain didn't process it or it processed it but is so focused on the sound the refridgerator is making that they didn't hear your voice. Typical brains know to tune the fridge out but a person with SPD can't. ASD is linked to both hypo and hyper sensory responses. Lucy is hypo sensitive to touch for example. Unlike Lars in the above clip, Lucy can't get enough touch. She will touch us to the point where it's too much b/c her brain isn't processing it.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Aspberger's Conference--Sensory Processing Disorder
Because of Aspies heightened senses due to an enlarged amygdala (see post below), their senses take on extremes. For example, if you've seen Lars and the Real Girl, Lars hates to be touched b/c he says it hurts:
A majority of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience sensory processing disorders (SPD) or sensory integration disorder (SID) -- two names for the same problem: not processing the 5 senses like the rest of us. For example, a child with ASD may cover their ears and scream when the school bell rings b/c it actually hurts. That same child however may not respond to their own name because they have a hypo-auditory response, in other words, their brain didn't process it or it processed it but is so focused on the sound the refridgerator is making that they didn't hear your voice. Typical brains know to tune the fridge out but a person with SPD can't. ASD is linked to both hypo and hyper sensory responses. Lucy is hypo sensitive to touch for example. Unlike Lars in the above clip, Lucy can't get enough touch. She will touch us to the point where it's too much b/c her brain isn't processing it.
A majority of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience sensory processing disorders (SPD) or sensory integration disorder (SID) -- two names for the same problem: not processing the 5 senses like the rest of us. For example, a child with ASD may cover their ears and scream when the school bell rings b/c it actually hurts. That same child however may not respond to their own name because they have a hypo-auditory response, in other words, their brain didn't process it or it processed it but is so focused on the sound the refridgerator is making that they didn't hear your voice. Typical brains know to tune the fridge out but a person with SPD can't. ASD is linked to both hypo and hyper sensory responses. Lucy is hypo sensitive to touch for example. Unlike Lars in the above clip, Lucy can't get enough touch. She will touch us to the point where it's too much b/c her brain isn't processing it.
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2 comments:
These are interesting! I love learning about it all. Thanks again for sharing.
It's good that they're doing so much research to help children with Aspbergers today. It helps parents and others to understand and know how to deal with them and to help them advance. Love, Mom
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