One of the most infamous challenges of sensory processing disorder is its comorbidity with other childhood developmental disorders.
Now, if you’re not quite familiar with what comorbidity means. It is basically what happens when the signs of sensory processing disorder. Also happen simultaneously with disorders like ADHD, autism, dyslexia and many more.
Today, there is still not a clear consensus about where one begins and the other ends. What is for certain, however, is that it can lead to problems on how to approach sensory processing issues.
Here are just a few examples:
Because sensory processing disorder has comorbidity with several other disabilities. It can be very easy to misdiagnose a child of having one, two or even three of them all at once!
Naturally, this can have terrible consequences because it can lead to ineffective therapy, excessive intervention and no results.
Therefore, it is best to really talk to a licensed psychologist or occupational therapist. And really make sure comorbidity doesn’t blur the lines between an individual child’s disorders. A child may very well have several disabilities at once, but a holistic approach to their condition will only be possible. If we first understand how these disorders interact on a case-by-case basis and go from there.
Some forms of sensory processing disorder create challenges that can cause a person to exhibit traits. Similar to, say, an autistic individual but they may not actually have that condition.
For example, some forms of sensory processing disorder can result in speech impediments that make communication difficult. However, that doesn’t mean that this person has the same social skill challenges as a person with autism.
Likewise, a person with social communication difficulties does not necessarily have the sensory processing issues that impede their capacity for speech. There are even cases where a person may appear fussy about particular sounds (like chewing or tapping). But it is because their ears are not properly aligned with their brains, not necessarily because their brains have been dramatically altered by some form of autism.
Lastly, comorbidity certainly spells a lot of problems related to health. A person’s autism can cause them to have a significantly different body clock as well as weaker immunity. If they also have sensory issues with sound, this can make it hard for them to get proper sleep or follow a proper bedtime routine.
Their diet can be affected as well. Gut sensitivities can cause unpleasant agitations in the stomach and result in autistics being picky eaters. This will also have a negative impact on their nutrition and require parents to pay very close attention to their child’s unique needs.
In short, there is definitely going to be a lot of untangling involved. And parents have to be prepared to see their child’s condition in ways that cannot be simply compared to that of other children.
The good news, however, is that things can still get better once the sorting is done. For example, using some form of sensory integration program to achieve better sound-filtering skills can reduce the negative impact of noise on an autistic child’s sleep disorder.
This leaves more room to focus on other challenges like building routines and improving behaviour. It is going to take a lot of patience for sure. But slow and steady can set you on the path. At least being more certain about the comorbidity that happens with sensory processing disorders.
If you need any advice or support, then know that we at the Australian Tomatis Method are still here to help you. Please reach out if you need to, either by email at info@tomatis.com.au or by phone to Francoise at 0414 444 915.
Official Representative of Tomatis Developpement SA in Australia, Asia and South Pacific, Director of the Australian Tomatis® Method, Registered Psychologist, Certified Tomatis® Consultant Senior, Tomatis® International Trainer and Speaker, Co-author of the Listening Journey Series, 40 Years of Experience, Neurodiversity Speaker
