Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition often associated with childhood, but it is not a disorder that a person simply outgrows. The challenges associated with SPD can persist throughout a person’s life, meaning adults can absolutely have the disorder. This condition involves the brain having difficulty receiving, organizing, and responding to information that comes in through the senses. For many adults, these sensory differences have gone unrecognized, often leading to misinterpretations of their behavior as anxiety, mood instability, or personality quirks. Recognizing SPD is the first step toward finding appropriate strategies and accommodations to improve daily functioning and quality of life.
Defining Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological difference in how the central nervous system processes sensory information from the body and the environment. This difficulty affects more than the five familiar senses; it also involves the vestibular (movement and balance), proprioceptive (body awareness), and interoceptive (internal body sensations) systems. When the brain cannot effectively organize this input, it can result in overwhelming responses to stimuli that most people easily manage.
The challenges of SPD are grouped into three main patterns, the first being Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD), which affects the ability to regulate responses to sensory input. Within SMD, people may be sensory over-responsive, reacting too intensely to stimuli like bright lights or loud noises. Others are sensory under-responsive, needing intense input to register a sensation, or they may be sensory cravers, who actively seek extreme sensations.
The second pattern is Sensory Discrimination Disorder, where the brain struggles to interpret the subtle qualities of sensory input. For instance, an adult with auditory discrimination issues might hear a person speaking but struggle to filter out background noise to understand the words.
The third pattern, Sensory-Based Motor Disorder, involves difficulties with movement, posture, and coordination. This category includes postural disorder, which affects core stability and balance, and dyspraxia, which results in clumsiness and challenges with planning and executing new motor actions.
Common Manifestations of SPD in Adults
In adult life, the manifestations of SPD often complicate daily activities, particularly in demanding or unpredictable environments. For an over-responsive individual, an open-plan office setting can be a source of constant sensory overload. Fluorescent lighting, co-workers’ lunch smells, and the sound of keyboards and phones can trigger intense emotional distress, often mislabeled as workplace anxiety or irritability.
The need to avoid overwhelming situations can lead to social withdrawal, causing adults to skip gatherings, networking events, or family celebrations. Crowded places like airports, shopping malls, or public transportation can trigger a “fight or flight” response, causing them to feel physically ill or panicked. This avoidance significantly limits social opportunities and career advancement, creating secondary issues like isolation and low self-esteem.
At home, sensory challenges can present as specific aversions to certain textures, such as an inability to tolerate clothing made of wool or seams on socks. Eating can be affected by tactile or gustatory hypersensitivity, leading to a restricted diet due to strong reactions to certain food textures or tastes. For those who are sensory under-responsive or craving, they might constantly seek intense physical activities, prefer extremely spicy foods, or fail to notice minor injuries or extreme temperatures.
Adults with Sensory-Based Motor Disorder may be perceived as clumsy, frequently bumping into objects or struggling with fine motor tasks like handwriting. They may have difficulty learning new physical sequences, such as dance steps or yoga poses, because of poor body awareness. The stress of navigating a world not designed for their sensory needs can manifest as chronic muscle tension and fatigue, impacting their ability to focus and maintain concentration.
Seeking Professional Help and Management
An adult who suspects they have Sensory Processing Disorder should seek an evaluation from a professional with expertise in sensory integration. The most effective specialist for diagnosis and management is an Occupational Therapist (OT) who has advanced training in sensory processing. OTs use specialized assessments to determine the specific patterns of sensory processing challenges and their impact on daily functioning.
While a formal diagnosis of SPD is not currently recognized as a stand-alone condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), an OT’s evaluation provides the framework for treatment. Treatment involves Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT), which uses structured, repetitive activities to help the nervous system process sensory input more efficiently. This may include therapeutic movement or interaction with sensory materials to help regulate the body’s response.
Management also centers on adaptive strategies and environmental modifications to mitigate sensory triggers. This can involve using noise-canceling headphones in loud environments, wearing comfortable clothing, or adjusting lighting in a workspace to a softer tone. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may also be recommended to help manage the emotional consequences of SPD, such as anxiety and frustration stemming from sensory overload. Self-advocacy and open communication with employers or family members about the need for accommodations are important steps toward a more balanced and functional adult life.