What Is Sensory Processing Disorder — and Is It a Form of Neurodivergence?

For children with sensory processing differences, everyday environments can feel genuinely overwhelming — not dramatic, not behavioral. Overwhelming.

If your child covers their ears in a grocery store, gags at food textures that others eat without a second thought, refuses to wear certain fabrics, or seems to seek constant rough-and-tumble input while never seeming to get enough, you may be wondering: what is sensory processing disorder, and could my child have it? SPD refers to significant difficulties in the way the nervous system registers, organizes, and responds to sensory input — and for many neurodivergent children, it is a daily reality that shapes nearly every part of their lives.

Sensory Processing Disorder can manifest as hypersensitivity, where sensory input feels overwhelming, painful, or unbearable; hyposensitivity, where a child seems not to register input that others notice easily and may seek intense sensory experiences to compensate; or a combination of both, often varying across different sensory systems. A child might be oversensitive to sound but undersensitive to touch. They might crave proprioceptive input through crashing and climbing while being deeply aversive to certain tastes or smells. The sensory system is complex, and SPD shows up differently in every child.

When parents ask what sensory processing disorder is from a diagnostic standpoint, the answer is nuanced. SPD is not currently listed as a standalone diagnosis in the DSM-5, the diagnostic manual used by psychologists and psychiatrists in the United States. This does not mean it is not real — it means the research base has not yet reached the threshold required for formal diagnostic status. Many occupational therapists, developmental pediatricians, and neuropsychologists recognize and treat SPD as a distinct clinical presentation, and there is meaningful evidence that sensory processing differences have a clear neurobiological basis.

Natural environments, predictable routines, and the right support can help children with SPD feel regulated and safe in their own skin.

Sensory differences frequently co-occur with other neurodivergent profiles. Autism is perhaps the most well-known overlap — sensory sensitivities are now included as a diagnostic criterion for autism in the DSM-5. ADHD, anxiety, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and PDA profiles also frequently present alongside significant sensory differences. This means that for many children, SPD is best understood as part of a broader neurodivergent picture rather than an isolated condition. The nervous system is different, not defective.

Support for sensory processing differences typically starts with an occupational therapy evaluation by an OT trained in sensory integration. Sensory integration therapy, environmental modifications, a sensory diet of activities tailored to the child's nervous system, and collaboration between therapists, teachers, and parents can all make a meaningful difference. Importantly, the goal of support should not be to make a child behave as though their sensory differences do not exist — it should be to help them understand their own nervous system, develop self-regulation strategies, and navigate environments with appropriate accommodations.

Understanding what sensory processing disorder is — and getting appropriate support for it — can be genuinely life-changing for children and families. If your child's sensory differences are affecting their ability to attend school comfortably, eat a reasonable range of foods, sleep, manage transitions, or simply get through a day without significant distress, professional support is worth pursuing. At Family & Child Therapy in Vienna, VA, we work collaboratively with occupational therapists and provide neurodiversity-affirming therapy for children navigating sensory differences. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.