Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

What Is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) occurs when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses, making it difficult to process and act on information coming in through the senses. This can show up as being over- or under-responsive to certain sensory input, difficulty distinguishing between sensations, or challenges with coordination and motor planning.

How Porter Academy Addresses Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing is central to how our entire program is built — see our full Occupational Therapy page for a complete picture. In brief:

• Occupational Therapy, for every student, directly builds sensory processing, regulation, and integration skills
• Our on-campus sensory gym — foam pit, climbing wall, OT swings, balance and scooter boards — gives students structured, appropriately dosed sensory input throughout the day
• Sensory diets, developed collaboratively between our OT and classroom teachers, are built for the whole group and adjusted for individual students who need more support
• Movement integrated throughout the school day — PE, OT, and classroom movement breaks — helps regulate sensory needs consistently, not just during scheduled therapy time
• Zones of Regulation gives every student a shared language for recognizing and responding to their own sensory and emotional state

Learn More

For general background on SPD, we recommend the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing.