The relationship between ADHD and SMD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is among the most prevalent and widely researched of childhood disorders. Its adverse effect on multiple areas of a child's daily functioning has major implications for these children and their families, as well as for society as a whole. However, apart from the core deficits of the disorder, ADHD is often associated with various co-existing neuro-developmental impairments, among them, Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD). While research focusing on the relationship between ADHD and SMD is relatively new, it has been receiving increasing attention in recent years. In view of the wide-ranging influence that sensory modulation has on daily functioning and quality of life, it is imperative that clinicians working with children with ADHD become familiar with this research and its significant implications for this population. This chapter will provide a short summary of the salient characteristics of both ADHD and SMD, followed by a summary of the literature regarding the relationship between the two disorders. A discussion of the theoretical and clinical implications will then follow.