Sensory Processing Disorder: 14 Strategies For Healing The Sensitive Child
We are facing an epidemic..
The number of children diagnosed with autism or a related disorder has grown exponentially, and a crisis of epidemic proportion. Thankfully there are 14 holistic approaches that can help! Is there someone in your life that is affected by autism or a related disorder? Could they benefit from incorporating any of these holistic approaches? Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological disorder that causes difficulties with taking in, processing, and responding to environmental stimuli. It occurs when sensory signals are not received through the senses in an organized way. A sensory disorder can cause inappropriate responses, behavioral problems, anxiety, and challenges in performing everyday tasks. Experiencing food selectivity (picky eating), abnormal pain sensations, sensory integration and self-regulatory issues are typically part of the picture. This condition used to be called sensory integration dysfunction. Some people with Sensory Processing Disorder are oversensitive to things in their environment. Individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder may lack coordination, are unable to tell where their limbs are in space, and have difficulty engaging in conversation and play. Sensory processing problems are usually identified in children but can also be present in adults.
These problems are common in those with developmental disorders like autism. Sensory Processing (Integration) Disorders (SPD) are not recognized in the DSM-5; and as dictated by the Academy of Paediatrics, “it should not be given as a diagnosis by paediatricians.” However, many will agree that it is a genuine condition. If you suspect your child may be suffering from SPD, I highly recommend The Out-Of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz and The Sensory Processing Disorder Answer Book by Tara Delaney. We are facing an epidemic.
The number of children diagnosed with autism or a related disorder has grown exponentially, a crisis of epidemic proportion. In 1975, about one out of every 5,000 children had autism. Today, one in every thirteen children have a life-threatening food allergy, and even more have numerous food sensitivities. According to the CDC, autism spectrum disorders are now affecting 1 in 68 children. Some estimate that it is closer to 1 in 45 boys. Also, 1 in every ten boys take medication for ADHD, and the CDC reports that as much as 1 in 6 children have a developmental disorder. Research studies conducted by the SPD Scientific Work Group suggest that 1 in every 6 children experience sensory symptoms that may be significant enough to affect aspects of everyday living. Numbers like this were unheard of a few decades ago, and all of these disorders are closely tied. Traditionally, sensory processing disorders, ADHD and autism spectrum disorders get diagnosed by occupational therapists or psychotherapists such as myself, psychologists, and psychiatrists, who recommend traditional therapy and medications to address neurological symptoms. Parents are often told that their child’s diagnosis is complex and multifactorial, and is a result of genetic, psychological and other factors widely unknown. Most doctors are taught to treat the emotional and mental component of these disorders with medication, and the physical or medical issues these children often share are rarely noted or discussed. Some of these issues may include eczema, asthma, chronic illness, gastrointestinal distress, food sensitivities, yeast overgrowth, leaky gut syndrome, malnutrition, hypoglycaemia, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalances, and sleep disturbances. Typically, proper testing also reveals high levels of heavy metals and environmental toxins relative to neurotypical children.
The issues are systemic. We are living in a toxic world.
These pollutants are integrated into every aspect of our lives from the toxins in our atmosphere to the foods we eat to the medications we take to the clothes we wear to the cosmetics we use. We are poisoning ourselves, and the consequences are starting to show with the incredible rise of neurological issues and diseases like cancer, asthma, diabetes, and many autoimmune disorders like autism.
The environment in which we live and breathe, including the pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified foods, heavy metals, and chemicals we eat and inject have a direct influence on the expression of our genetic code by altering the expression of genetic information. In the study of disease, researchers in the field of epigenetics are increasingly finding that the “turning on or off” of our genes is preventing us from detoxing these toxins effectively.
These mutations inhibit the body’s ability to digest food, transport substances between cells, and utilize essential nutrients appropriately. When we seek help from a naturopath, Defeat Autism Now doctor, Integrative Neurologist, Functional Medicine Doctor or a Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs physician, it becomes more apparent. Testing reveals that many of our children have numerous genetic mutations. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Accumulating evidence points to the involvement of epigenetic modifications as foundational in creating ASD pathophysiology.” Processed food, as well as our soil, is entirely void of any whole food nutrients. When tested we discover, most of the persons with such disorders are deficient in important brain minerals, vitamins and amino acids that create our feel-good hormones and help our brain fire properly. Remember: Bad gasoline causes engine damage and poor performance, and an empty gas tank cannot run at all. Although there’s no ‘one size fits all’ or magic pill you can take when it comes to health, here are the top 14 recommendations: Learn more about my family’s healing journey (including everything that has worked for me and many of my clients) in my book Healing Without Hurting. And to receive more info on how you and your family can overcome ADHD, apraxia, anxiety and more without medication SIGN UP HERE. .
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References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002822309018082
- https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0327-autism-spectrum-disorder.html
- https://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/12/prweb12411963.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3799534/
- http://calmglow.com/pdfs/food-allergies-and-ADHD.pdf
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elizabeth_Solomon/publication/51980244_Complementary_and_Alternative_Medical_Therapies_for_Children_with_Attention-DeficitHyperactivity_Disorder_ADHD/links/0a85e53c7899127238000000/Complementary-and-Alternative-Medical-Therapies-for-Children-with-Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder-ADHD.pdf
- https://amzn.to/2D3wvJD
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4404917/
- https://ajslp.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1774420
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989452980/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0989452980&linkCode=as2&tag=healingwit0ca-20&linkId=02179fd87c847db6af7fb005c615b78a
- http://eepurl.com/c8Dj9T
