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Sensory Processing Disorder: Adult Symptom Test for SPD

Your aversion to itchy fabrics, scented candles, and crowds could be a sign of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Take this test to better understand daily SPD symptoms, and bring the results to an occupational therapist trained in sensory integration and ADHD.

14 Comments: Sensory Processing Disorder: Adult Symptom Test for SPD

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  1. ummm there’s a difference between biking fast and zip lining so how do i answer HELL YES/HELL NO at the same time??

  2. OKAY I CANT ANSWER THIS TEST!!!! OMG Half the question is TOTALLY NO and the other half TOTALLY YES.

    There is a huge difference between biking at top speed down streets (routine) and ziplining (fear of heights) FFS youd think this was obvious…Yes I cant type or put on a seatbelt without looking obsessively, but no issues getting ready without a mirror besides for makeup…

    So how do I answer these questions?????

  3. I agree this test is not a good one for SPD. It needs to be removed or changed. I scored low on it but am extremely sensitive to noises, touch, lighting, and smells. I don’t see the correlation of being clumsy, being in between freezing and shivering or messy handwriting.

  4. These questions are VERY specific? NeuroD folk tend to be very literal, when it says flickering lights make you nauseated, do you mean literally? Or figuratively? What if they are intolerable (shut eyes & leave) but not nauseating?

    I am instantly enraged by “unauthorised” sound. Tonight my boyf was singing quietly and I just snapped because he walked out and I was trying to concentrate. It is my only real anger trigger. I have a 50pk of earplugs but it’s not convenient for me to have them in constantly. I feel like a terrible person.

  5. SBD is also known as Irlen Syndrome. Irlen Syndrome is hereditary and I only just found out that I have it because we went to a doctor that knew to test her for that while she was being tested for ADHD. And she and I have both Irlen Syndrome and ADHD Inattentive Type. I was able to afford the Irlen lenses for her (expensive and insurance doesn’t cover or recognize it even though it’s the same as SBD) and I am saving for mine because after seeing the Irlen Syndrome doc to be tested and find the color spectrum lenses I needed (because Irlen Syndrome affects each person that has it differently)…I could not believe the difference. My daughter was in third grade when she was diagnosed and is in 5th grade now and the difference is amazing.

  6. While I only scored 13% here, it isn’t exactly a thorough quiz, and made me reflect about all the little things that can paralyze me. For example–Caftans (I had to google what that was) would make me incredibly anxious, because I find the wind on my skin very distracting. I’m fine with sand on my feet, but can’t stand mud or dirt on my hands OR the restriction of gloves on my hands, much to my gardening monther’s consternation….I could keep going on and on.

  7. I was diagnosed with SPD as a child I think. It has gotten worst in my teen and young adult years. I struggle so much. Also SPD can be a diagnosis on its own, or it can be a symptom of Autism and/or ADHD. Living life as an adult woman with ADHD, SPD and a rare genetic disease that causes social/emotional, mental, learning, physical and developmental disabilities is SO CHALLENGING!!! I feel like there is not enough support, advocacy and resources! For example, I’ve been trying to go sweater shopping for the past 2 weeks, but my sensory problems and anxiety stops me every time. I procrastinate another day. I need someone to go with me, to get the job done!

  8. why would you put so many ads on a page geared toward people with sensory processing issues? it’s super distracting

  9. I cannot focus on what anyone’s saying if water is running and if someone talks to me or near me when I’m on the phone i flip out . Radio static drives me up the wall and i have to stop it immediately. I hear every Single sound in the air and environment over the sound of the voice of whoever im talking to. Mental exhaustion for sure

  10. If anyone has a diversion to sand, google “sand socks”. Think a sock version of water shoes. They are actually used by sand volleyball players to protect their feet from hot sand, but I used them to keep the sand off my feet and was actually able to enjoy a beach vacation.

  11. I just want to caution people that this self-test is oddly specific in its choices for describing sensory processing issues, and is therefore quite limited in actual usefulness as an indicator. SPD doesn’t have to manifest like this at all in order to legitimately exist.

    Therefore, I encourage anyone who suspects that they have sensory processing issues to take their results here with a large grain of salt, and keep on learning/seeking professional input about spd regardless results if your experiences are telling you something may be up.

    1. Thank you! I made an account to say this and then realized you already had haha. I also found the questions too specific, and kind of invalidating. For instance, I need TIGHT clothes, because clothes “flowing around” gives me anxiety. I also LOVE the way sand feels, I can’t imagine not liking it, but my own hairs touching my shoulders makes me want to scream.

    2. I agree, some of the questions were way too specific, which caused me to choose an answer that disagreed with a part of the question that i agreed with, if that makes any sense.

    3. Thanks, Rosie! Since the test said not to take it to heart and so did you, I’m definitely not going to feel affected by this one multi-choice questionnaire. I’m searching for an ADHD specialist to get this all sorted out.

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