Do you notice your twins walking on their tiptoes, constantly climbing on things, hanging upside down to watch television, chewing holes in their shirts or watching your ceiling fan? These are all signs that they might have sensory processing disorder. Read on to learn more about what SPD is and what it looks like.

What is sensory processing disorder

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurological condition that affects how the brain interprets sensory information such as sound, touch and movement. Twins with SPD may have difficulty interpreting sensory input, meaning they may interpret signals much weaker or much stronger than others around them do. This can result in challenges with daily activities like dressing, eating, or socializing. SPD can also impact emotional regulation, behavior, and learning.

What is hypersensitivity?

Hypersensitivity means someone is overly sensitive to certain sensory inputs. Even mild sensations can feel overwhelming or uncomfortable. For example, if one of your twins is hypersensitive, they might find the sound of a vacuum cleaner unbearably loud or the touch of a soft fabric irritating. As a toddler, my daughter hated the feeling of grass or sand on her bare feet. If you tried to put her down, she would lift her legs up so that she would not touch the surface barefoot.

What is hyposensitivity?

Hyposensitivity means someone is less sensitive than usual to certain sensory inputs. This means that they may require stronger sensations to feel something. If your twins are hyposensitive, they might not notice a painful stimulus or might need a tight bear hug to feel comforted. For example, my autistic son does not notice how loud he is speaking.

Types of sensory processing challenges

Now we will talk about the different types of sensory processing categories. Your twins may be hyper or hypo sensitive to these, including overly sensitive to some things and under sensitive to others.

Auditory

Auditory challenges are related to the auditory system, leading to difficulties processing auditory information. This means your twins may be overly sensitive to sounds, which can be experienced as painful or overwhelming, or hyposensitive, making it difficult to hear or understand speech. You may notice that your twins are more sensitive to certain types of sounds, such as high-pitched noises or sudden loud sounds. They may also try to avoid noisy environments or places where sounds echo.

It is also common to have trouble filtering out background noise or focusing on specific sounds. You may also notice that your twins have trouble understanding or interpreting sounds, which can affect speech, language, and listening skills. Auditory SPD can be difficult if your twins experience it differently – where one twin is loud and makes lots of noise, and the other is noise avoidant and covers their ears or runs away to hide. This can make it difficult when twins share a bedroom.

Tactile

Tactile sensory challenges affects the sense of touch. If your twins are overly sensitive to touch, they may dislike getting dressed or having their hair brushed. If they are less sensitive to touch, they may be less likely to feel pain or notice changes in temperature. Often twins with tactile sensitivity will avoid certain types of textures, such as rough or soft materials. This can make it hard for twins or triplets with SPD to tolerate school uniforms. You may also notice your twins engaging in tactile seeking behavior, such as constantly touching things or people, or rubbing or scratching at their own skin.

Vestibular

Vestibular sensory challenges are related to balance, spatial orientation, and movement. You notice your twins have trouble maintaining balance, especially when moving or changing positions or struggle to understand their body’s position in space, leading to clumsiness or difficulty with activities like walking, running, or climbing. Your twins might also be prone to motion sickness, even in mild situations or have a fear of heights due to concerns about falling or losing balance. If your twins are constantly climbing on things or hanging upside down, they may be trying to seek vestibular input (hyposensitive). On the other hand, if they avoid activities that involve movement, such as swings, slides, or spinning, they may be hypersensitive.

Proprioceptive

Proprioceptive sensory challenges are related to the body’s position, movement, and force. Your triplets may have trouble understanding their body’s position in space, leading to clumsiness or difficulty with activities like buttoning clothes or tying shoes. They may have low muscle tone, making it difficult to control movements and maintain posture, or have difficulty with strength-related activities, such as carrying heavy objects or climbing stairs. You might notice poor coordination, leading to clumsiness or difficulty with fine motor skills. If your twins are proprioceptive seekers (hyposensitive), they may jump or crash into walls or furniture, enjoy rough and tumble play or prefer tight clothing and shoes. If they are avoiders (hypersensitive) they may struggle with other people getting too close to them, act timid around physical play or prefer loose clothing. Avoiders might struggle riding in a car if someone is touching them or if car seats are too close together.

Visual

Visual sensory challenges affects the visual system, leading to difficulties processing visual information. Your twins might be sensitive to bright lights, flickering lights, or certain colors, or they may struggle to track moving objects with their eyes. They may have difficulty interpreting visual information, such as recognizing patterns or shapes or have difficulty with visual acuity, such as seeing objects clearly from a distance or up close. You may notice difficulty with
coordinating their eyes and hands, leading to delays in writing or drawing. One of the very first things we noticed about our autistic son when he was 10 months old is that he loved to lay on the floor and watch ceiling fans or as he got older he would play with toy cars and trucks by watching the wheels turn. These are both examples of visual sensory seeking.

Oral

Oral sensory challenges includes the mouth, tongue, and lips. You may notice your twins have difficulty chewing and swallowing food, leading to picky eating or avoidance of certain textures. They may be over or under responsive to things like the temperature of food or drinks, or you might notice difficulty coordinating the muscles involved in chewing, swallowing, and speech. One of the most common complaints we hear in our community is how do I stop my twins from chewing on everything? This is an example of oral sensory seeking – putting objects in the mouth or chewing on non-food items.

SPD and twins, triplets or quadruplets

First off, it is possible to have sensory sensitivities without being autistic, so this doesn’t necessarily mean your twins are autistic. You may need to do a bit of investigation to see what your twins seek or avoid, to learn how to best help them manage SPD. You can also talk to your doctor or find an occupational therapist (OT) to help with sensory challenges. Although it can be challenging if your twins present differently (one is a seeker and one is an avoider), by learning more about it, you can better help them.

Do your twins have sensory processing disorder? Share your experiences in the comments below.

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