Sensory processing disorder is a complex disorder of the brain. Children who have SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. This is a basic definition, there are many subtypes, and SPD can effect those with ADD and autism.

When I was sitting in the conference room with the therapists and teachers they started talking about their observations of Nolan. The Occupational Therapist stated she noticed Nolan pushed chairs and other objects around the room, he would touch other people in passing and had a hard time paying attention to his surroundings. In my head I thought yes but he is three isn’t that normal. Yes while doing some of those activities are normal, the way Nolan was doing them added up to something more.
Nolan was sensory-seeking. He needed that extra pushing and touching for it to register with his brain what he was doing. Nolan has a hard time focusing because he can not process out all the information. For example Nolan sits on the mat with his peers for story time, Nolan can’t sit still because his brain seeks out deep pressure. Nolan can’t weed out the other sounds, he hears the story but he also hears the sink drip, the footsteps in the hall and the baby crying.
It all made sense. Why Nolan couldn’t just lay and sleep, why he was in constant motion, and why his eyes wondered as you spoke to him. It was amazing to know that help was here.
(Check out www.sinetwork.org for more information on the different types of SPD. I explained what I have experienced with sensory seeking, the other type is sensory avoiding.)