Sensory integration Issues

What is Sensory Integration?

 "Sensory integration is the process of organizing sensory inputs so that the brain produces a useful body response and also useful perceptions, emotions, and thoughts". (Ayres, J., 1995, p 28)

"It Is an unconscious process of the brain (occurs without us thinking about it - like breathing)
Organizes information detected by one's senses (taste, sight, hearing, touch, smell, movement, gravity and position).
Gives meaning to what is experienced by sifting through all the information and selecting what to focus on (such as listening to a teacher and ignoring the noise of outside traffic)
Allows us to act or respond to the situation we are experiencing in a purposeful manner (known as an adaptive response. Forms the underlying foundation for academic learning and social behaviour." (Ayres, J., 1995, p 5)

The Sensory Systems

• Vestibular - movement and balance sense
• Tactile - Sense of touch
• Proprioception - Sense of where the body is when not looking
• Vision - What we see
• Olfactory - What we smell
• Gustatory - What we taste
• Auditory - What we hear

Click here for more detail on the sensory systems >

When sensory integration works well

• It is an automatic process
• Consistent and reliable information is given to our brain.
• Information is effectively and interpreted
• We can build an accurate picture of our world and easily pay attention, listen, look, speak, move, learn, relate with others and act appropriately.

What can go wrong?

Sensory integration or processing difficulties occur when the information taken through the senses - eyes, ears, touch, smell, taste, proprioception (body awareness sense) and vestibular (movement and balance sense) is not perceived or interpreted accurately.

• The nervous system is unable to process information either automatically or efficiently
• Children may become overly sensitive to touch, movement, sights or sounds (sensory defensiveness). 
• Children may become under-reactive to sensory stimulation.  This refers to a person who is generally unaware and either does not react to certain sensory input (low registration) or may seek out more sensory stimulation than most (sensory seeking).
• As a result of this, children are unable to get an accurate picture of their world and their behaviour and responses to different stimulation will be different to what you might expect.
• Children will often have problems with paying attention, behaviour, listening, looking, speaking, moving, learning or relating with others

There are several different types of sensory processing disorders, which are managed differently.

• Sensory modulation disorders including sensory defensiveness
• Movement based disorders including Vestibular/ visual/ auditory integration issues, Bilateral integration and Sequencing Disorders and Postural-occular issues (vestibular-proprioceptive)
• Sensory Discrimination based disorders including Praxis or planning disorders

What approach does Kids Matters Occupational Therapy offer for Sensory Processing Difficulties?

Full assessment of child's individual differences in Sensory processing, reading, writing, spelling, learning, motor skills, play, organisation and planning etc.

Sensory Integration Based treatments for any sensory processing issues.

Specific structured learning interventions as required including:

• fine motor skill remediation
• gross motor skill remediation
• visual motor integration
• handwriting
• reading
• play skills

Cognitive based interventions to help the child understand and regulate his or her arousal such as a version of "the Alert Program"

DIR/Floor-time based treatements for deficits in the functional emotional developmental levels

• Regulation
• Engagement
• Shared Attention and interest in the world
• Symbolic play / Imagination
• Bridging and sequencing ideas
• Problem-solving

Click here for exciting training opportunity in DIR/ Floortime for parents and professionals in Brisbane, September 2009

Suggested Programs:

• Astronaut Program for low confidence/ fear of movement for enhanced visual, auditory and vestibular integration
• Therapeutic listening for auditory defensiveness, improved attention and auditory, vestibular, postural and breath integration
• Sensory Diet for calming and organising the nervous system
• Alert Program to help understand arousal level and how to change it
• Wilbarger Therapressure protocol
• Lexia cross-trainer and reading programs

Does my child have sensory integration problems?

View common symptoms for Infants and Toddlers here >