Sensory processing disorder is a common health condition seen in children and adults whereby an extreme sensitivity, overreaction, and intolerance is displayed to certain sensory stimuli such as certain textures, sounds, and often physical touch. The condition is estimated to occur in approximately 4% of children who are diagnosed with related conditions like ADHD and the autism spectrum, and a lot of research is still being done into finding out more about the causes and treatments for the condition.
Other symptoms of sensory processing disorder can include intolerance to light touch while displaying an unusual tolerance to pain at the same time. The condition can often be misinterpreted and is commonly misdiagnosed as a range of other conditions that can include obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Research into SPD and related conditions shows that there are many treatments and therapies that can be applied at home to help make sensory processing disorder an easier condition to manage.
Here are 8 natural ways to help sensory processing disorder.
1. Changing the Diet
The direct causes of sensory processing disorder are still being studied further in a clinical setting, but we do know that genetic factors and related conditions like ADHD and autism are some of the potential things which doctors and therapists should look for when noticing any other symptoms of the condition.
More research into the condition shows that while diet isn’t considered a direct cause of SPD, following the wrong kind of diet that includes an abundance of artificial ingredients might make the condition and any associated symptoms worse – and will also compromise their general health and immune system. A healthy diet free of hormones, pesticides, and artificial ingredients is recommended.
In many cases of sensory processing disorder, diet is about more than just nutrition and also has to include careful thought about textures that are found unpleasant. Every person with SPD often has different triggers for unpleasant textures and will refuse unpleasant textures on their plate.