Autism and sensory processing difficulties overlap but are not the same. Did you know this?
It is common for Autistic individuals to have sensory processing differences that impact daily tasks and activities. However, not all children (and adults) with SPD (sensory processing disorder) are autistic.
So there is some overlap, but it’s not the same!
At times, we can see similarities between autism and sensory processing. For example: from the love for sameness in routine, sleep participation and interoception, clothing and food choices, in distractibility, & the influence of the environment on regulation.
Sensory processing is the nervous-system-level processes of integrating and responding to sensory signals that interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in daily activities. You can learn more at sensoryhealth.org .
Even though SPD is not a stand-alone diagnosis right now, it still has a significant impact on everyday tasks – it is real.
Sensory processing and integration is how we process walking down the street and deciding what’s important: the sound of the wind and cars driving by, our friends talking, the rock in our shoe, and how hard we walk on the sidewalk (step over that curb!), and the smell of the crispy winter air.
The integration piece is where we decide, which ones are important?