What Happens in the Brain with Sensory Processing Disorder?
Understanding the Basics of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) isn’t just about being “too sensitive” or “picky.” It’s actually a neurological condition where the brain has trouble receiving, interpreting, and responding to sensory input — touch, sound, movement, even temperature. The brain gets the data... but it doesn’t know what to do with it.
Some kids (and adults too) may overreact — like melting down over the tag in a shirt — while others underreact and may seem oddly unbothered by pain or loud sounds. Weird, huh? But it’s real, and it’s rooted deep in how the brain’s circuits work.
What's Actually Happening in the Brain?
Sensory input takes the wrong route (or doesn’t arrive properly)
In a typical brain, sensory signals go from the body (like your hand feeling something cold) to the thalamus — kind of like the brain's airport traffic control — which then sends those signals to the right “gate” or brain region.
But in SPD, researchers think this process goes off track:
Signals might not get routed correctly
The speed or intensity of signal processing might be off
Some areas might over-fire, others under-respond
Basically, the brain either freaks out or ignores what it’s receiving — and the result is a person who feels either way too much or not enough.
Key regions involved in sensory processing
Let’s name-drop a few brain players here (don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple):
Thalamus: like I said, the switchboard operator. Might be "lagging" or misrouting input.
Somatosensory cortex: processes touch and body awareness. Can be oversensitive.
Amygdala: involved in fear and emotion. Overstimulation here can lead to anxiety, meltdowns.
Cerebellum: manages movement and coordination. In SPD, it may be... out of rhythm.
So yeah, it’s not "just in their head" — it’s in how their head works.
Types of Sensory Processing Dysfunction in the Brain
Over-responsivity (hypersensitivity)
Imagine the volume is cranked up to 100 — but only for you.
A child might scream if touched lightly.
Or panic at the sound of a vacuum cleaner.
Lights might feel “too bright,” and smells too intense.
This is thought to be due to overactivation in the brain’s sensory areas, especially the somatosensory cortex and amygdala (which handles the panic part).
Under-responsivity (hyposensitivity)
Now flip it. The brain barely registers input.
A child might bump into things constantly and not notice.
Might not feel pain as expected.
Could seem “spacey” or disconnected.
In these cases, brain regions may be under-activated, or the input simply isn’t prioritized neurologically.
Sensory Seeking
Kind of a wild-card mix. These individuals crave sensory input — they might spin, crash into things, chew on stuff constantly.
Why? Their brains may not be getting enough stimulation, so they actively seek it out to feel “just right.”
How Do We Know This? What the Research Says
Neuroimaging studies — like fMRI and EEG — have shown that people with SPD display different activation patterns in the brain compared to neurotypical individuals. These aren’t just theories.
One study (Chang et al., 2014) even found that children with SPD had less connectivity between the auditory, visual, and tactile processing areas, which could explain the chaos in how they respond to mixed signals.
Is the research complete? Heck no. But we’re finally putting science behind what so many families have seen for decades.
Living with SPD: It's Not "Bad Behavior"
Let me say this clearly: SPD is not a behavior problem. It’s a neurological difference.
One of my old students used to cover his ears and cry when chairs scraped the floor. I’ll admit — the sound was awful — but for him, it was agony. And you know what? His brain was wired to react that way.
Parents, teachers, and even doctors sometimes miss the signs because SPD can look like ADHD, anxiety, autism… or just "being difficult." But once you know what’s happening in the brain, the puzzle pieces start clicking.
Final Thoughts: What Happens in the Brain with SPD?
To wrap it up:
The brain in SPD processes sensory input differently — sometimes too much, sometimes too little.
Multiple regions, like the thalamus, amygdala, and somatosensory cortex, are involved.
It’s not made up, not a fad, and not about “bad parenting.”
Understanding the brain side of SPD helps us move past judgment and toward real support. Whether it’s occupational therapy, sensory diets, or just patience — it all starts with knowing what’s really going on upstairs. 🧠
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.