Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition that makes it difficult to interpret and respond to input from your five senses. Generally then, persons with SPD are usually over- or under-stimulated by everyday sights, sounds, smells, tastes and sensations. However, whether or not it is a true learning disability is cause for debate.
Sensory processing disorder is a controversial diagnosis. What are your thoughts?
Sensory Processing Disorder is still a controversial diagnosis.
Although SPD may obviously present many challenges to children in a classroom, it is currently not categorized as an official learning disability. SPD is still being researched and is not a learning disability in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), the authoritative volume that defines and classifies mental disorders. Therefore, no one can currently be officially diagnosed with SPD.
Although this condition may present all kinds of obstacles for kids in a classroom, the way SPD is currently understood and categorized prevents it from being considered an official leaning disability.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Key takeaways
- Sensory processing disorder is one of the lesser known diagnoses. However, it affects every human sense.
- There is controversy as to whether sensory processing disorder is a disorder at all.
- Even though proven to affect learning, the argument for sensory processing disorder as a diagnosis is being argued and advocated for.
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