The Structure and Function of The Structure and Function of Sensory Processing Disorders:Sensory Processing Disorders:

Working to BenefitWorking to Benefitfromfrom

ADD/ADHD to Autism ADD/ADHD to Autism

Charles W Chapple, DC, FICPACharles W Chapple, DC, FICPA360 E Irving Park RD, Roselle, IL360 E Irving Park RD, Roselle, IL

(630) 894-8778 (630) 894-8778 www.drchapple.comwww.drchapple.comSelected 2006 & 2007 “Guide To America’s Top Chiropractors”Selected 2006 & 2007 “Guide To America’s Top Chiropractors”

2008 “ Five Star Excellence Award in Chiropractic”2008 “ Five Star Excellence Award in Chiropractic”

What are Sensory Processing What are Sensory Processing Disorders?Disorders?

Any condition which demonstrates the Any condition which demonstrates the inability to process information through the inability to process information through the SensesSenses..

Interestingly the DMSR does not acknowledge this sensory component in ASD (only language, social and behavioral variations).

Inter-related Conditions?Inter-related Conditions? ADD/ADHD AUTISM PDD SPD CHALLENGEDADD/ADHD AUTISM PDD SPD CHALLENGED

“ “ Normal” ChildrenNormal” Children

PrevalencePrevalence

ADD/ADHD: ADD/ADHD: 5 Million Children in USA alone5 Million Children in USA alone

Autism: Autism: Every 21 minutes another Child is Diagnosed.Every 21 minutes another Child is Diagnosed.

Challenged Child: Challenged Child: 12 to 30% of Children.12 to 30% of Children.

How is Information Gathered for Our How is Information Gathered for Our Sensory System?Sensory System?

Though Though SensesSenses Through Through ReflexesReflexes

Body Senses IncludeBody Senses Include

Far SensesFar Senses - Allow us to - Allow us to respond to stimuli outside respond to stimuli outside our body:our body:

HearHear

SeeSee

TasteTaste

TouchTouch

SmellSmell

Near SensesNear Senses - Or - Or Hidden Senses – Hidden Senses – Automatically respond Automatically respond within our body to stimuli:within our body to stimuli:

Body Position/AwarenessBody Position/Awareness

Movement/BalanceMovement/Balance

What are the Primitive Reflexes?What are the Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are automatic survival responses to stimuli (Sensory Input) which develop during uterine life and should be fully present at birth.

Asymmetrical/ Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex – Moro Reflex –

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex – Fear Paralysis Reflex –

Palmar Reflex – Plantar Reflex –

Babinski Reflex – Spinal Galant Reflex -

Suck and Rooting Reflex –

Primitive Reflexes ChartedPrimitive Reflexes Charted

Anatomy of Primitive Reflexes:Anatomy of Primitive Reflexes:

Within the brainstem Within the brainstem – Oldest part of the brain (Reptilian or Pre-Oldest part of the brain (Reptilian or Pre-

Cortical) Cortical) => Midbrain => Cortical=> Midbrain => Cortical

Automatic vs VolitionalAutomatic vs Volitional Stimulus elicited (e.g. A Chocolate Cookie)Stimulus elicited (e.g. A Chocolate Cookie) Survival / InstinctualSurvival / Instinctual As As higher brain centers higher brain centers mature or the PR’s mature or the PR’s IntegrateIntegrate

more voluntary more voluntary Postural Reflexes and Cortical Postural Reflexes and Cortical development occurs development occurs

What are Retained Primitive What are Retained Primitive Reflexes?Reflexes?

These are primitive reflexes that remain and do not integrate, therefore postural reflexes do not develop fully resulting in a “Reflexive No Man’s Land” or “ A Reflexive Seesaw” (e.g. Car stuck in the Snow).

Thus the body remains under the influence of involuntary responses instead of voluntary.

Retained Primitive Reflexes cause: Difficult voluntary movements and Balance

Irregular Visual Perception Irregular Auditory Processing Irregular Sensory Perception

Observing SPD’sObserving SPD’s

An Individual defined as having SPD concerns An Individual defined as having SPD concerns exhibits variations of sensory activity in :exhibits variations of sensory activity in :

Frequency Intensity DurationFrequency Intensity Duration

Observed as either as Observed as either as aa Hypersensitivity or a Hypersensitivity or a HyposensitivityHyposensitivity

The Sensitivity of the Seven Senses The Sensitivity of the Seven Senses in SPDin SPD

HypersensitiveHypersensitive - - requires less stimulationrequires less stimulation

Avoids soundsAvoids sounds Overwhelmed by intense visualOverwhelmed by intense visual Object to textures and gagObject to textures and gag Avoid textures and being touchedAvoid textures and being touched Avoids odorsAvoids odors Rigid and uncoordinatedRigid and uncoordinated Apprehensive running, climbing and Apprehensive running, climbing and

swingingswinging

HyposensitiveHyposensitive - - requires requires more stimulationmore stimulation

Appears to ignore soundAppears to ignore sound Appears uninterested by visualAppears uninterested by visual Tastes inedible objectsTastes inedible objects Chews and presses into objectsChews and presses into objects Unaware of unpleasant odorsUnaware of unpleasant odors Limp and clumsyLimp and clumsy Craves rocking, twirling and fidgetsCraves rocking, twirling and fidgets

How SPD PresentsHow SPD Presents

More Specific Retention Symptoms More Specific Retention Symptoms of Retained Reflexes:of Retained Reflexes:

Fear Paralysis ReflexFear Paralysis Reflex• Oppositional Defiance• “The Screaming Child”

Moro ReflexMoro Reflex• Aggressive

• Overactive (Ready-Fire-Aim)• Overemotional (Weeping Anger)

*Learning Difficulty• “Can’t Turn Off”

• Hypersensitive to sense(sound,taste,touch,vision,balance)

• Adrenal Fatigue=> Weak Immune

Palmar ReflexPalmar Reflex• Poor Manual Dexterity (Thumb)

• Speech Difficulties• Manual Tasks Inhibit Talking

• Difficult writing (w/Mouth Motion)

Plantar ReflexPlantar Reflex• Trouble w/Gait, Run, Toe Walk

Rooting/Suck ReflexRooting/Suck Reflex• Difficult Chew, Speech and Dribble• Often w/ Car & Sport Injury, Dental

More Specifics on Retained More Specifics on Retained Symptoms:Symptoms:

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex:Reflex:

• Easily DistractedEasily Distracted• Poor Pencil Grip, Excessive GripPoor Pencil Grip, Excessive Grip

• Missing Visual Reading FieldsMissing Visual Reading FieldsWhen readingWhen reading

• Difficult Distance PerceptionDifficult Distance Perception• Difficult tasks involving both sides of Difficult tasks involving both sides of

BodyBody• Poor Ball SkillsPoor Ball Skills

• Learning DifficultyLearning Difficulty

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex:Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex:• Poor Judgment of Balance, Space, Poor Judgment of Balance, Space,

Distance, Depth & MotionDistance, Depth & Motion• Motion SicknessMotion Sickness

• ““Floppy” or “Rigid” ChildFloppy” or “Rigid” Child• Fatigue when Neck FlexedFatigue when Neck Flexed

• Learning DifficultyLearning Difficulty

Spinal Gallant Reflex:Spinal Gallant Reflex:• Delayed Sitting Delayed Sitting

• Abnormal Gait/PostureAbnormal Gait/Posture• Poor Bladder/ Bed WettingPoor Bladder/ Bed Wetting

• “ “Ant’s in Pants” ChildAnt’s in Pants” Child• Learning DifficultyLearning Difficulty

Difficulty with Senses and ReflexesDifficulty with Senses and Reflexes

Difficulty with SkillsDifficulty with SkillsMotor/ Muscle ToneMotor/ Muscle Tone

CognitionCognition

CommunicationCommunication

SocializationSocialization

IndependenceIndependence

Difficulty with BehaviorsDifficulty with BehaviorsImpulsivenessImpulsiveness

Self ControlSelf Control

DistractibilityDistractibility

FrustrationFrustration

SocialSocial

EmotionalEmotional

SPD ExpressionSPD Expression

Cause:Cause:

Difficulty with Senses Difficulty with Senses

and Reflexesand Reflexes

EffectEffect

Difficulty with Skills and Difficulty with Skills and BehaviorBehavior

Low Self EsteemLow Self Esteem

InterventionIntervention

TraditionalTraditionalTreats causes as genetic, Treats causes as genetic, pre-postnatal trauma and pre-postnatal trauma and unknownunknown

Treatment is geared from Treatment is geared from outside the body to inside outside the body to inside the body the body ( e.g. Behavioral ( e.g. Behavioral Modification)Modification)

ReactiveReactive

AlternativeAlternative Treats the Treats the structurestructure in order in order

to improve the to improve the function as function as cause is a Sensory & Reflex cause is a Sensory & Reflex imbalance System imbalance System OverwhelmedOverwhelmed

Treatment is geared from Treatment is geared from

inside the body to outside inside the body to outside the body the body (e.g. Chiropractic and (e.g. Chiropractic and Craniosacral Therapy (CST)Craniosacral Therapy (CST)

ProactiveProactive

Controlling the Senses and the Controlling the Senses and the ReflexesReflexes

The Central Nervous System (CNS), The Central Nervous System (CNS), comprised of the brain, brain stem, the comprised of the brain, brain stem, the

cranial nerves, the spinal cord and the nerve cranial nerves, the spinal cord and the nerve attachments controls the attachments controls the senses and the senses and the

reflexes.reflexes.

CNS InvolvementCNS Involvement

Hear………………………………CN 8 (Vestibular Cochlear)Hear………………………………CN 8 (Vestibular Cochlear) See………………………..CN 2(Optic)..CN 3(Occulomotor), See………………………..CN 2(Optic)..CN 3(Occulomotor),

CN 4(Trochlear)..CN 6 (Abducens)CN 4(Trochlear)..CN 6 (Abducens) Taste………………………………..CN 9(Glossopharyngeal)Taste………………………………..CN 9(Glossopharyngeal) Touch……..............................Afferent and Spinal PathwaysTouch……..............................Afferent and Spinal Pathways Smell…………………………………………..CN 1 (Olfactory)Smell…………………………………………..CN 1 (Olfactory) Body Position...................CN 8, Brain stem and Spinal cordBody Position...................CN 8, Brain stem and Spinal cord Movement………………………..Brain stem and Spinal cordMovement………………………..Brain stem and Spinal cord

Cranial Nerves InvolvementCranial Nerves Involvement

CNS Structure and FunctionCNS Structure and Function

The Cranium and Spinal Cord are the boney The Cranium and Spinal Cord are the boney structures protecting the CNS.structures protecting the CNS.

Improper Improper ImproperImproper Improper Improper

Structure Function Sensory and Reflex Structure Function Sensory and Reflex ProcessingProcessing

(Alignment and Position) (Motion and Nerve Communication)(Alignment and Position) (Motion and Nerve Communication)

Improve Improve ImproveImprove Improve Improve Structure Function Sensory and Reflex ProcessingStructure Function Sensory and Reflex Processing

The LinkThe Link

The CNS and its intimately related boney The CNS and its intimately related boney protective network form the profound link of protective network form the profound link of communication and functional interaction communication and functional interaction between an individual’s internal and external between an individual’s internal and external environments.environments.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST)Craniosacral Therapy (CST)

Focuses on relieving pressure on the brain Focuses on relieving pressure on the brain and spinal cord through manual pressure and spinal cord through manual pressure techniques used at the cranium and sacrum.techniques used at the cranium and sacrum.

The Craniosacral SystemThe Craniosacral System

Consists of membranes and cerebral spinal Consists of membranes and cerebral spinal fluid, which protect the CNS.fluid, which protect the CNS.

Restrictions in this system are detected, and Restrictions in this system are detected, and corrections are identified through manual corrections are identified through manual monitoring of the craniosacral rhythm monitoring of the craniosacral rhythm (CSR).(CSR).

The Bones to the Senses and The Bones to the Senses and ReflexesReflexes

The Bones in MotionThe Bones in Motion

Variations in CSR.Variations in CSR.

Variations in the CSR (6-12 bpm) could Variations in the CSR (6-12 bpm) could indicated any number of motor, sensory, indicated any number of motor, sensory, reflex or neurological impairments, as well reflex or neurological impairments, as well as causes of pain.as causes of pain.

The Chiropractic Approach to the CNS

Chiropractors identify the necessity for the reduction of Subluxations, and utilize gentle spinal pressure techniques called Adjustments in order to remove Subluxations.

What are What are Subluxations?Subluxations?

CNS irritation characterized by:– Irregular boney mechanics or spinal misalignment– Nerves imbalances– Muscle irritations– Tissue inflammation– Degenerative wear

The poor structure or mechanics involved in creating The poor structure or mechanics involved in creating SubluxationsSubluxations results in poor motor, sensory, reflex and results in poor motor, sensory, reflex and neurological function, as well as causes of pain.neurological function, as well as causes of pain.

Spinal InvolvementSpinal Involvement

The Best of Both WorldsThe Best of Both Worlds

CST and Chiropractic adjustments work to restore more appropriate motor, sensory, reflex and neurological input and therefore improve function.

Improve Structure Improve Function

Working inside to out and not outside to in.

Measuring CNS FunctionMeasuring CNS Function

Health care practitioners are challenged to quantify variations of the CNS communication with SPD conditions.

Frequently conventional tests such as blood markers, MRI’s and EEG’s appear unremarkable.

The CNS SimplifiedThe CNS Simplified

Noninvasive Testing of the CNSNoninvasive Testing of the CNS

Infrared Thermography

Measures temperature variations along the spine as indications of imbalances in the Autonomic nervous system which result from subluxations within the CNS.

Surface Electromyography

Illustrates the effectiveness of motor nerves by measuring the amount of current at the muscle, with imbalances being indication of subluxations within the CNS.

Infrared ThermographyInfrared Thermography

Surface ElectromyographySurface Electromyography

More ScansMore Scans

Clarification:Clarification:

There is no HealthCare that is guaranteed or without risk.

However, Chiropractic and CST are among the most safe effective in benefiting the CNS.

A Mom’s StoryA Mom’s StoryDear Parents,Dear Parents,

After a frustrating year of indifferent doctors After a frustrating year of indifferent doctors who ignored my concerns about my son, who ignored my concerns about my son, finding Dr Chapple was like a gift. finding Dr Chapple was like a gift.

Over weeks of therapy he has improved Over weeks of therapy he has improved considerably. He no longer cocks his considerably. He no longer cocks his head. Spins or presses his forehead head. Spins or presses his forehead onto me. onto me.

In Fact, we took him for a haircut, and for In Fact, we took him for a haircut, and for the first time he sat still for the whole the first time he sat still for the whole thing….No unfinished haircut, frantic thing….No unfinished haircut, frantic barber or parents.barber or parents.

It’s sad, but I had never really noticed that It’s sad, but I had never really noticed that he didn’t run very much before. When he didn’t run very much before. When he did…he ran on his toes with a very he did…he ran on his toes with a very awkward gait. Now he races around on awkward gait. Now he races around on his little feet for the sheer joy of running his little feet for the sheer joy of running that all children have.that all children have.

More Resources:More Resources:

www.icpa4kids.comwww.icpa4kids.com www.upledger.comwww.upledger.com

www.autismspeaks.comwww.autismspeaks.com

Some Help from Michelangelo…Some Help from Michelangelo…

““the danger that exist is not aiming to high the danger that exist is not aiming to high and reaching it, but aiming to low and and reaching it, but aiming to low and

achieving it.”achieving it.”

We can never aim to high for our childrenWe can never aim to high for our children

The Structure and Function of The Structure and Function of Sensory Processing DisordersSensory Processing Disorders

Charles W Chapple, DC, FICPACharles W Chapple, DC, FICPA360 E Irving Park Rd, Roselle, IL 60172360 E Irving Park Rd, Roselle, IL 60172

(630) 894-8778 www.drchapple.com(630) 894-8778 www.drchapple.com