What signs and symptoms should I look out for in myself or loved one to indicate Sensory Processing Disorder?

Your intuition should not be discounted. When there is a suspicion of a neurological disorder, it is a very good idea to speak to a professional, but what are some common signs and symptoms that warrant a suspicion?

Hypersensitivity to Light or Sound: More Than Just An Irritant

Have you or someone close to you found themselves wincing at the glow of a screen or recoiling from the blast of a loud, unexpected noise? For some, the discomfort goes beyond a mere annoyance; it becomes an overwhelming experience, clouding their daily existence. Over-responding like this is one of the proposed patterns of sensory processing disorder (SPD), the term occupational therapists use when trouble registering and responding to sensory input gets in the way of daily life. SPD is not a diagnosis everyone agrees on: the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against diagnosing it on its own, because there is no universally accepted framework for it.⁠^1,2

Understanding the Challenge: Light or sound hypersensitivity is also seen in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism or ADHD, as well as in developmental coordination disorder and childhood anxiety. Notably, these reactions aren’t simply overreactions: in a study of 925 school-age children, those who over-responded to touch and sound had more emotional, behavioral and self-regulation problems. Whether they come from a difference in the brain’s wiring is still being studied. One small imaging study of 16 boys with SPD found differences in white-matter tracts at the back of the brain that tracked their sensory behavior, but the AAP notes it is still unclear whether children with sensory-based problems have a true disorder of the brain’s sensory pathways.⁠^2,3,6

Navigating Daily Life: Coping strategies are key. An occupational therapist may suggest a sensory diet—a planned routine of sensory activities through the day—though research on how well sensory-based therapies work is still limited and inconclusive. Dimming lights, using ear defenders, and creating predictable environments are all part of a broader approach to managing these symptoms.⁠²

Social Interactions as a Struggle, Not a Joy

Society is knit together through the complex tapestry of social exchanges. But for many, this weaving is fraught with challenges that extend beyond mere shyness or introversion. Difficulties in reading social cues, engaging in reciprocal conversation, or adjusting how you communicate to the setting and partner can signal social communication disorder—a hurdle in the path to meaningful connections and relationships.⁠⁴

The Heart of Connection: At the core of human existence is the drive to belong. When social interactions become a source of anxiety or bewilderment, addressing the underlying causes is critical. Social communication difficulties are also a defining feature of autism, so social communication disorder is diagnosed only when autism is not the explanation, and a speech-language pathologist can help tell the two apart. Either way, it necessitates a patient and understanding community.⁠⁴

Building Bridges: Therapy, especially those focused on social skills and emotional regulation, offer routes toward bridging the gap. Speech-language pathologists use social skills groups, where a small group practices with peers through instruction, role-play and feedback, and social stories that explain social situations and the expected responses.⁠⁴

When Coordination Becomes a Challenge

Our ability to move through the world, to express ourselves physically, and to engage in activities that bring joy is contingent on the smooth interplay of our muscles and senses. For some, this harmony is disrupted, leading to poor motor coordination. When it is significant and gets in the way of everyday activities, it may be developmental coordination disorder (DCD), the term international guidelines use for what many people call dyspraxia.⁠⁵

The Misunderstood Condition: DCD is often mischaracterized as mere clumsiness, a casual and benign trait. However, for individuals wrestling with this condition, difficulty planning and carrying out coordinated movements can be highly frustrating. It gets in the way of everyday tasks like dressing and handwriting, children with DCD take part less in team sports, and in adults with DCD low self-esteem is commonly reported.⁠⁵

Empowering Movement: Occupational therapy built around practicing the everyday activities a person finds hard, such as dressing, handwriting or ball skills, is what international guidelines recommend for DCD, with strength and endurance considered as part of the plan. Studies consistently find this activity-oriented approach improves skill performance.⁠⁵

Taking the First Step Toward Understanding

Armed with an understanding of these and other less tangible symptoms—often the heralds of more complex health realities—individuals and families can make informed decisions. The pursuit of knowledge is a proactive approach that demystifies conditions, promotes empathy, and empowers action.

Always remember, the experience of health is deeply personal, and it’s okay to seek help and clarification. In doing so, we chip away at the stigma surrounding these symptoms and lift the veil on the unseen struggles of so many.

Through concerted efforts at education, destigmatization, and support, we pave the way for a future where everyone’s language of health is not only understood but honored and responded to with compassion and care. So let’s unravel the unseen, together. Let’s embrace our unique stories and speak with conviction for ourselves and our loved ones. Let’s take that first step toward better understanding and creating a more inclusive and supportive world for all. So keep asking questions, seeking answers, and advocating for yourself and those around you.

Sources

1. Miller LJ, Nielsen DM, Schoen SA, Brett-Green BA. Perspectives on sensory processing disorder: a call for translational research. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. 2009;3:22. doi:10.3389/neuro.07.022.2009 (PMID 19826493).
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   Defines SPD as “impaired responses to, processing of, and/or organization of sensory information” that affects daily life, with proposed subtypes of over-responsivity, under-responsivity, sensory seeking, postural disorder (“problems in balance and core stability”) and dyspraxia (“difficulties in motor planning and sequencing movements”).
2. Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine; Council on Children with Disabilities; American Academy of Pediatrics. Sensory integration therapies for children with developmental and behavioral disorders. Pediatrics. 2012;129(6):1186–1189. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-0876 (PMID 22641765).
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   “Because there is no universally accepted framework for diagnosis, sensory processing disorder generally should not be diagnosed”; sensory difficulty is seen in autism, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder and childhood anxiety; “it is unclear whether children who present with sensory-based problems have an actual ‘disorder’ of the sensory pathways of the brain”; and research on the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy “is limited and inconclusive.”
3. Ben-Sasson A, Carter AS, Briggs-Gowan MJ. Sensory over-responsivity in elementary school: prevalence and social-emotional correlates. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 2009;37(5):705–716. doi:10.1007/s10802-008-9295-8 (PMID 19153827). 925 children aged 7 to 11 followed from infancy: those with elevated over-responsivity to touch and sound had higher frequencies of “internalizing, externalizing, and dysregulation problems.”
4. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Social Communication Disorder (Practice Portal). Checked October 6, 2026.
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   Signs include trouble engaging in conversation, “changing language and communication style based on setting or partner” and “interpreting the verbal and nonverbal signals of others”; because social communication problems are a defining feature of autism, “SCD cannot be diagnosed in conjunction with autism spectrum disorder”; treatment includes social skills groups using “instruction, role play, and feedback” with peers, and Social Stories that explain social situations.
5. Blank R, Barnett AL, Cairney J, et al. International clinical practice recommendations on the definition, diagnosis, assessment, intervention, and psychosocial aspects of developmental coordination disorder. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 2019;61(3):242–285. doi:10.1111/dmcn.14132 (PMID 30671947).
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   Recommends the term developmental coordination disorder rather than “dyspraxia”; notes DCD is “often viewed as ‘mild’” although it impairs daily activities, reduces participation in team sports and, in adults, is commonly accompanied by “low global self-esteem”; recommends activity-oriented and participation-oriented therapy, citing “consistent findings” of better skill performance, with physical fitness considered in the plan.
6. Owen JP, Marco EJ, Desai S, et al. Abnormal white matter microstructure in children with sensory processing disorders. NeuroImage: Clinical. 2013;2:844–853. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2013.06.009 (PMID 24179836). Diffusion imaging of 16 boys aged 8 to 11 with SPD and 24 matched controls found reduced white-matter integrity, mainly in posterior tracts, that correlated with auditory, multisensory and inattention scores.

Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your child.