Eastern Idaho kids deal with sensory processing disorder

One in six children have sensory processing disorder in the United States.

Monica Buerger, who owns Eagle Canyon Wellness in Ammon, specializes in sensory development.

She recently went to Rocky Mountain Middle School in Bonneville County to educate teachers on behaviors to look for that could signal sensory processing disorder.

Lee Walker, a teacher for 30 years who teaches special education teacher at RMMS, said Buerger’s information was eye-opening.

“Sitting in a chair all day long is maybe unrealistic. Maybe some different kinds of seating arrangements,” should be made, said Walker.

Buerger said she introduces exercise balls as one option in the classroom

“Sensory processing disorder is going to influence academic learning, social learning, emotional behavior and motor skills,” said Buerger.

SPD is a neurological disorder that affects the brain. Hyposensitive children have a harder time paying attention in school. Hypersensitive children tend to be more hyperactive and sensitive to movement, sound and light.

“It goes in tandem with ADHD, ADD, OCD, schizophrenia and fetal alcohol syndrome,” said Buerger.

Buerger recently spent time at RMMS to show teachers how to read students behavior.

“You can watch how their heads moves, how their eyes move, how well they can sit still, what’s distracting them,” said Walker.

After a few weeks of using spike balls, pencils or pens with rubber on them that children can play with and touch, Buerger said teachers and parents begin to notice a difference in behavior and child’s ability to focus in school.

“I find it exciting and refreshing. it gives me more opportunity too and it also allow you to let the child be a child in the school too,” said Walker.

Buerger also says there are people who work with autism who say autism is a magnified version of SPD.

Treating SPD can involve chiropractic care and changes to diet. Buerger said avoiding dyes and things with food dyes and MSG which are considered toxins for the brain, also trigger sensitivity issues.