Types of Sensory Integration Issues

Type I - Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD)

  • Sensory defensiveness
  • Low registration
  • Sensory Seeking
  • Narrow thresholds (regulation issues

 Learn more about Sensory Modulation Disorder >

Type II - Sensory Based Motor Disorder (SBMD)

Shows motor output that is disorganized as a result of incorrect processing of sensory information.

  • Vestibular/ visual/ auditory integration issues
  • Postural-occular issues (vestibular-proprioceptive)
  • Bilateral integration and Sequencing

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Type III - Sensory Discrimination Disorder (SDD)

Sensory discrimination or postural control challenges and/or dyspraxia seen in inattentiveness, disorganization, poor school performance.

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This information is adapted from research and publications by: Lucy, J. Miller, Ph.D., OTR, Marie Anzalone, Sc.D., OTR, Sharon A. Cermak, Ed.D., OTR/L, Shelly J. ,Lane, Ph.D, OTR, Beth Osten, M.S,m OTR/L, Serena Wieder, Ph.D., Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D..
 

What can we do about it?

  • Identify underlying causes for the child's difficulties
  • Explain the condition - help parents, teachers and children understand reasons for behaviour
  • Implement a sensory diet - a planned and scheduled activity program that encourages a variety of sensations to be experienced throughout the day.
  • Environmental modification - Analyse the child's home and school environments to identify tasks and situations in which the child has difficulty coping. Strategies to cope with these and suggestions to modify the environment are useful to improve everyone's ability to cope.
  • Provide direct interventions to help improve the child's underlying sensory processing abilities including the Wilbarger therapressure protocol for sensory defensiveness, the Astronaut Program for vestibular/ auditory/ visual integration, therapeutic listening for auditory/ postural and breath integration.
  • Provide direct interventions to help with other skill areas including fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual perception, handwriting, self-cares, toileting, dressing, eating, attention, memory, behaviour management and play.

Ayres, J (Revised and Updated by Paediatric Therapy Network, 2005). Sensory Integration and the Child. California: Western Psychological Services

Wilbarger, P. & Wilbarger, J. (1991). Sensory defensive-ness in children aged 2-12. An intervention guide for parents and other caretakers. Denver: Avanti Educational Programs.