RESEARCH THAT BENEFITS CHILDREN & FAMILIES

It has been noted that Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction) predictably affects about 5% of all children, over half of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and 80% of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Sensory Systems Clinic, n.d.).  These high percentages are definitely worth taking a deeper look.  Without the proper awareness of the scope of SPD among young children and school-age children, many professionals could suffer the consequences of improper assessments and treatments for children who are currently being labeled disruptive, unruly, uncooperative, or worse. 

Imagining that I possess the means and the knowledge to conduct unrestricted research studies about any topic in the early childhood field, which will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families, I would choose this topic of Sensory Processing Disorder as it relates to the excellence and equity of care and education for children and families (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  It seems apparent to me that with proper awareness of SPD, greater specificity can be obtained to the proper assessment and treatment of children who are otherwise disruptive in the learning environment as well as their home environment.  Proving SPD’s validity is a massive task to embark upon, yet small steps toward recognizing its prevalence in pre-school age and school-age children could open the door to shedding some positive light on it’s existence.  Sensory Processing Disorder: Is It Real?  The journey towards answering this question must begin soon for the sake of early childhood development. 

RESOURCES
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Excellence and equity of care and education for children and families-Part 1 [DVD]. Early childhood development. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

Sensory Systems Clinic (n.d.). The ‘jobs’ of children” play, school, social skills, self reglation, emotional, & self care.[website]. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from http://www.sensorysystemsclinic.com/