Enhance Understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder Test and ABA

December 10, 2025

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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) involves significant differences in how the nervous system receives and organizes information from the senses. This can profoundly affect a child’s daily life, potentially leading to sensory overload, coordination difficulties, and communication challenges. By understanding these differences and using evidence-based strategies, such as those from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), we can support individuals with SPD to better navigate their world and improve their quality of life.

Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

SPD is a condition where the brain has difficulty receiving, organizing, and responding to sensory information from the environment and one’s own body -1 -8. This can make everyday sensations feel confusing, overwhelming, or underwhelming.

It’s important to note that SPD is currently not recognized as a standalone diagnosis in the *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)* -1 -6. However, healthcare and therapeutic professionals widely recognize the significant impact of sensory processing challenges and provide support to manage them -1 -8.

Core Types of SPD:
Individuals may experience SPD in different ways, and they can fall into one or more of these categories -1 -5:

Sensory Over-Responsivity (Hypersensitivity): The nervous system overreacts to sensory input. Common sounds, lights, textures, or smells may feel intolerable and trigger anxiety, withdrawal, or distress.
Sensory Under-Responsivity (Hyposensitivity): The nervous system underreacts to sensory input. A person may seem unaware of sensory information, appear unresponsive, have a high pain tolerance, or seem lethargic.
Sensory Craving (Sensory Seeking): The nervous system seeks excessive sensory input. This can look like constant movement, touching objects or people, making loud noises, or engaging in “thrill-seeking” behaviors.

SPD and Other Conditions:
While SPD can occur on its own, it is commonly associated with other neurodevelopmental conditions -1 -4 -5.

SPD and Autism: Sensory sensitivities are a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Research indicates that a large majority of autistic individuals—some estimates suggest up to 90%—experience significant sensory symptoms -5 -8. However, it is crucial to understand that most children with SPD do not have autism; they are distinct conditions that can co-occur -4 -6.
SPD and ADHD: Sensory processing challenges are also very common in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with co-occurrence rates estimated between 40% and 60% -4.

Identifying SPD: Signs and Professional Assessment

Recognizing the signs of SPD is the first step toward getting appropriate support. Symptoms can vary widely but often disrupt daily activities, social interactions, and learning.

Common Signs in Children:

Over-Responsive Signs: Extreme reactions to tags in clothing, hair brushing, loud noises (e.g., vacuum cleaners), or bright lights; picky eating due to food textures or smells; avoidance of playground equipment like swings -1 -6.
Under-Responsive Signs: Appearing lethargic or unaware of surroundings; not noticing name being called; high pain tolerance; seeming “lost in space” -5 -9.
Sensory Craving Signs: Constantly touching objects or people; crashing into things; seeking intense spinning, jumping, or swinging; chewing on non-food items; difficulty sitting still -1 -3 -6.

The Assessment Process:
Since there is no single medical test for SPD, diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by qualified professionals, typically occupational therapists (OTs) with training in sensory integration -1 -6 -9. The process may include:

Detailed interviews with parents and caregivers.
Standardized sensory processing questionnaires and checklists.
Clinical observation of the child’s responses to various sensory experiences in a controlled setting.
This assessment helps create a detailed sensory profile to guide personalized intervention.

The Role of ABA Therapy in Supporting Sensory Challenges

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science-based approach that focuses on understanding how behavior is influenced by the environment and learning. While not a direct treatment for the neurological aspects of SPD, ABA offers powerful strategies to address the behavioral challenges that often stem from sensory dysregulation, especially when SPD co-occurs with autism -2 -7 -10.

How ABA Strategies Can Help:
ABA therapists can integrate sensory-informed strategies into a comprehensive plan to help individuals cope more effectively. Key approaches include:

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): An ABA therapist will conduct an FBA to identify the specific triggers (antecedents) and functions of behaviors related to sensory challenges. For example, a child may scream (behavior) in a noisy cafeteria (antecedent) to escape the overwhelming sound (function) -2 -7.
Teaching Replacement Skills: Once the function is understood, the therapist can teach safer, more adaptive ways to meet that sensory need. Instead of screaming to escape noise, a child can be taught to use noise-canceling headphones or a hand signal to request a break -2 -10.
Gradual Desensitization: ABA can structure a slow, systematic process to help an individual build tolerance to distressing sensory inputs. This involves introducing the stimulus at a very low intensity and gradually increasing it while pairing it with positive reinforcement -2 -7.
Environmental Modifications: ABA principles support analyzing and adjusting environments to prevent sensory overload before it occurs. This might involve creating a calm-down corner with soft lighting and fidget tools or preparing a visual schedule to reduce anxiety about transitions -2 -8 -10.

Practical Strategies and Supports for Daily Life

Managing SPD effectively involves a combination of professional therapy and practical adaptations at home and school.

Creating a Supportive Environment:

At Home: Minimize clutter and visual distractions; use soft, natural lighting instead of harsh fluorescents; create quiet, safe spaces for retreat; provide access to sensory tools like weighted blankets, fidgets, and noise-canceling headphones -3 -8 -9.
At School: Collaborate with educators to secure accommodations. These may include preferential seating, permission to use sensory tools, scheduled movement breaks, access to a quiet workspace, and advance notice for transitions or fire drills -8.

Incorporating a “Sensory Diet”:
A “sensory diet” is a personalized plan of sensory activities scheduled throughout the day to help a child stay regulated and focused -6 -9. An occupational therapist can help design one, but activities often fall into these categories:

Proprioceptive (Body Awareness): “Heavy work” activities like pushing a laundry basket, carrying groceries, wall push-ups, or chewing crunchy snacks -3.
Vestibular (Movement/Balance): Swinging, spinning in a safe chair, bouncing on a therapy ball, or rolling -3 -9.
Tactile (Touch): Playing with sensory bins (filled with rice, beans, or water beads), finger painting, using play-dough, or receiving deep-pressure massages -3.

The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach

The most effective support for SPD often comes from a team of professionals working together -7 -10.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are typically the lead professionals for assessing SPD and providing direct sensory integration therapy -1 -9.
ABA Therapists/BCBAs can address the behavioral learning aspects, teaching coping skills, communication, and adaptive responses -2 -7.
Speech-Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, and Psychologists may also contribute, depending on the individual’s needs.

Open collaboration between these specialists, parents, and educators ensures consistent support across all environments—home, clinic, and school.

Conclusion

Sensory Processing Disorder presents unique challenges, but with understanding, accurate assessment, and the right support, individuals can learn to manage their sensory experiences more effectively. A combination of sensory-informed occupational therapy and behavioral strategies from ABA can empower individuals to develop essential coping skills, reduce distress, and participate more fully in daily life.

At Happy Haven ABA, we recognize the complex interplay between sensory processing and behavior. Our team is skilled in integrating compassionate, evidence-based ABA strategies with an understanding of sensory needs to create truly individualized therapy plans. We focus on empowering each individual to navigate their sensory world with greater confidence and skill. If your child is struggling with sensory-related challenges, contact Happy Haven ABA today to learn how our collaborative approach can make a meaningful difference.

Sources Referenced in Original Outline:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/sensory-processing-disorder-spd
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24291-diagnostic-and-statistical-manual-dsm-5
https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot

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