Sensory Processing Disorder

Words: 1314
Pages: 6

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), also referred to as Sensory Integration Disorder, was discovered by Jean Ayres in the 1960s. There are many children and adults suffering from Sensory Processing Disorder and receiving therapy for their symptoms, however the debate on whether SPD is a stand-alone developmental disorder, or actually a sign of other underlying problems has led to much controversy among patients, doctors, and therapists. Davies and Gavin, Ghanizadeh, Ben-Sasson, Carter and Brigss, Zimmer and Desch, along with Schaaf provide in-depth research regarding the movement Sensory Processing Disorder has caused. This paper will reflect upon the authors’ suggestions that despite research being overlooked in the limelight in pediatric …show more content…
Davies, PhD, OTR and William J. Gavin, PhD tests the assumption that a correlation between brain function and behavior exists. Using an electroencephalographic to measure and examine brain processing, “children with SPD demonstrated less sensory gating than children who were typically developing” (Davies & Gavin). Davies and Gavin suggest that there is validity in the diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder due to neurological processing differences in children with SPD opposed to other developing children. Though the symptoms of SPD differ in children from aversions to loud noises to vestibular effects, the “neurophysiological evidence can serve as additional evidence to support the diagnostic category of SPD” (Davies & Gavin). Even though Davies and Gavin’s article contains many scientific terms and data, it appeals to the reader because the authors thoroughly explain the methodology used and provide persuasive concrete scientific research, rather than just behavioral measures of …show more content…
To support his theory, Ghanizadeh argues that sensory processing problems and ADHD occur together and interact because “one of the prominent neuroanatomical markers for children and adolescents with ADHD is the similarities with the widespread cortical thickness reduction” (Ghanizadeh). Though it is clear that an alteration in the neural networks for both SPD and ADHD does exist, Ghanizadeh states that SPD cannot be linked to specific cerebral lesion in children with ADHD. Ghanizadeh’s article is well organized, but lacks support from other studies to prove that sensory problems are the symptom of ADHD. The author does include evidence to prove that symptoms of SPD are correlated with children with ADHD, but even Ghanizadeh himself says the “underlying structure and pathophysiology of this issue is not well studied”. His avoidance of research to support his theory reveals lack of balance and his conclusion of the two disorders being correlated seems to be