Kumuena Tekasala most recently served as an occupational therapist at River East Transcona School Division in Winnipeg, Canada. In this capacity, Kumuena Tekasala supported students with special needs and disabilities and provided clinical observation and treatment for a variety of issues, including those related to sensory processing.
Sensory processing disorder (SPD), or sensory integration dysfunction, refers to sensory preferences that significantly interfere with a child’s normal functioning. There are three basic subtypes of SPD, briefly described below:
Sensory-Based Motor Disorder (SBMD)
Difficulties with motor coordination and balance characterize SBMD. Individuals with this subtype of SPD struggle with keeping their body stable when moving or maintaining good posture when sitting or standing. Within this subtype, there are two further subtypes: postural disorder and dyspraxia. The latter results in children appearing clumsy or being unable to organize motor actions, while the former results in decreased balance and low muscle tone.
Difficulties with motor coordination and balance characterize SBMD. Individuals with this subtype of SPD struggle with keeping their body stable when moving or maintaining good posture when sitting or standing. Within this subtype, there are two further subtypes: postural disorder and dyspraxia. The latter results in children appearing clumsy or being unable to organize motor actions, while the former results in decreased balance and low muscle tone.
Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD)
There are three categories of SMD: under-responsive, over-responsive, and craving. All three types relate to how kids regulate sensory stimuli. With over-responsive SMD, patients have a low threshold for sensory stimuli and easily become irritated or overwhelmed. SMD under-responsive type results in kids having a high sensory stimuli threshold, such that they do not respond to stimuli in their environment like the average person. Finally, SMD sensory cravers seek constant stimulation by crashing or moving.
There are three categories of SMD: under-responsive, over-responsive, and craving. All three types relate to how kids regulate sensory stimuli. With over-responsive SMD, patients have a low threshold for sensory stimuli and easily become irritated or overwhelmed. SMD under-responsive type results in kids having a high sensory stimuli threshold, such that they do not respond to stimuli in their environment like the average person. Finally, SMD sensory cravers seek constant stimulation by crashing or moving.
Sensory Discrimination Disorder (SDD)
People with SDD have trouble accurately understanding the sensory stimuli they feel, taste, smell, see, or hear. As a result, many individuals with SDD do not detect similarities and differences among stimuli and often interpret stimuli qualities incorrectly, which can make them seem awkward and inattentive to those around them.
People with SDD have trouble accurately understanding the sensory stimuli they feel, taste, smell, see, or hear. As a result, many individuals with SDD do not detect similarities and differences among stimuli and often interpret stimuli qualities incorrectly, which can make them seem awkward and inattentive to those around them.
