The Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support Group was launched in October 2015 with the help of Dawn Dunn, Managing Director of Tree Tops Occupational Therapy after it was felt there was no support group for parents in the North East of England for this clinical condition.

We are also affiliated with the Sensory Processing Foundation in the USA and like them, hope to improve the lives of our children through education and global awareness of SPD. Meetings are held every 6-8 weeks where parents and carers can get together, have a chat, look at resources available, and listen to guest speakers. We also attend venues with our children.

Our group offers support, advice, networking, meetings, education and strategies for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).

Why not join us and come along to one of informal meetings where you will be most welcome. Sometimes they are held on Zoom to make it easier for parents to attend.

Sensory processing difficulties is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and then turns them into an appropriate motor and behavioural response. If, for instance you are biting into a sandwich, riding a bicycle, or even reading a book, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or sensory integration.

SPD is a difficulty detecting, organising or responding to sensory information received and interpreted from the brain by the seven senses; tactile, auditory, movement, muscle memory, visual, taste and smell. We all have sensory processing differences but it is called SPD when it causes significant difficulties in daily life, development, behaviour and social interactions.