• Over sensitivity to touch, movement, sights, or sounds
• Under reactivity to touch, movement, sights, or sounds
• Specific learning difficulties /delays in academic achievement
• Difficulty in making transitions from one situation to another
• Tendency to be easily distracted / Limited attention control
• Activity level that is unusually high or unusually low
• Social and/or emotional problems
• Difficulty learning new movements
• Delays in speech, language, or motor skills
• Physical clumsiness or apparent carelessness
• Impulsive, lacking in self-control
• Inability to unwind or calm self
• Poor self concept / body awareness
While research indicates that sensory integrative problems are found in up to 70% of children who are considered learning
disabled by schools, the problems of sensory integration are not confined to children with learning disabilities. SID transfers
through all age groups, as well as intellectual levels and socioeconomic groups. Factors that contribute to SID include:
premature birth; autism and other developmental disorders; learning disabilities; delinquency and substance abuse due to
learning disabilities; stress-related disorders; and brain injury.
Research has identified autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as two of the biggest contributing
conditions as well as learning disorders (i.e. Specific learning difficulties), developmental disabilities and fragile X syndrome.
Diagnosis
In order to determine the presence of SID, an evaluation may be conducted by a qualified occupational or physical
therapist. An evaluation normally consists of both standardized testing and structured observations of responses to sensory
stimulation, posture, balance, coordination, and eye movements. These test results and assessment data, along with
information from other professionals and parents, are carefully analyzed by the therapist who then makes recommendations
about appropriate treatment.
Treatment
Occupational therapists play a key role in the conventional treatment of SID. By providing sensory integration therapy,
occupational therapists are able to supply the vital sensory input and experiences that children with SID need to grow and
learn. Also referred to as a "sensory diet," this type of therapy involves a planned and scheduled activity program
implemented by an occupational therapist, with each "diet" being designed and developed to meet the needs of the child's
nervous system. A sensory diet stimulates the "near" senses (tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive) with a combination
of alerting, organizing, and calming techniques.
Motor skills training methods that normally consist of adaptive physical education, movement education, and gymnastics are
often used by occupational and physical therapists. While these are important skills to work on, the sensory integrative
approach is vital to treating SID.
The sensory integrative approach is guided by one important aspect-the child's motivation in selection of the activities. By
allowing them to be actively involved, and explore activities that provide sensory experiences most beneficial to them,
children become more mature and efficient at organizing sensory information.
Alternative treatment
Sensory integration disorder (SID) is treatable with occupational therapy, but some alternative methods are emerging to
complement the conventional methods used for SID.
Therapeutic body brushing is often used on children (not infants) who overreact to tactile stimulation. A specific non-
scratching surgical brush is used to make firm, brisk movements over most of the body, especially the arms, legs, hands,
back and soles of the feet. A technique of deep joint compression follows the brushing. Usually begun by an occupational
therapist, the technique is taught to parents who need to complete the process for three to five minutes, six to eight times a
day. The time needed for brushing is reduced as the child begins to respond more normally to touch. In order for this
therapy to be effective, the correct brush and technique must be used.
Remember - An important step in promoting sensory integration in children is to recognize that it exists and that
it plays a vital role in their development.
| Sensory integration - symptoms of sensory integration disorder. Bright Tots educational toy store offering baby toys toddler toys games & videos. info@brighttots.com. |
Sensory Integration / Occupational Therapy
|
sensory integration develops in the course of ordinary childhood activities. But for some children, sensory integration does
not develop as efficiently as it should. This is known as dysfunction in sensory integration (D.S.I.). When the process
is disordered, a number of problems in learning, motor skills and behavior may be evident. The ability for SI to become
more refined and effective coincides with the development process as it determines how well motor and speech skills, and
emotional stability develop.
The concept and theory of sensory integration comes from a body of work developed by A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, and
an occupational therapist that was based in California, U.S.A. As an occupational therapist, Dr. Ayres was interested in the
way in which sensory processing and motor planning disorders interfere with activities of daily living and learning. The
beginnings of the SI theory by Ayres instigated research that looks at the foundation it provides for complex learning and
behavior throughout life.
Causes and Symptoms
The presence of a sensory integration disorder is typically detected in young children. While most children develop SI during
not develop as efficiently as it should. This is known as dysfunction in sensory integration (D.S.I.). When the process
is disordered, a number of problems in learning, motor skills and behavior may be evident. The ability for SI to become
more refined and effective coincides with the development process as it determines how well motor and speech skills, and
emotional stability develop.
The concept and theory of sensory integration comes from a body of work developed by A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, and
an occupational therapist that was based in California, U.S.A. As an occupational therapist, Dr. Ayres was interested in the
way in which sensory processing and motor planning disorders interfere with activities of daily living and learning. The
beginnings of the SI theory by Ayres instigated research that looks at the foundation it provides for complex learning and
behavior throughout life.
Causes and Symptoms
The presence of a sensory integration disorder is typically detected in young children. While most children develop SI during
| Sensory Integration |
Sensory integration disorder or dysfunction (SID) is a neurological disorder that
results from the brain's inability to integrate certain information received from the body's
five basic sensory systems. These sensory systems are responsible for detecting sights,
sounds, smell, tastes, temperatures, pain and he position and movements of the body. The
brain then forms a combined picture of this information in order for the body to make
sense of its surroundings and react to them appropriately. The ongoing relationship
between behavior and brain functioning is called sensory integration (SI). Sensory
integration provides a crucial foundation for later, more complex learning and behavior.
Sensory experiences include touch, movement, body awareness, sight, sound, smell, taste,
and the pull of gravity. Distinguishing between these is the process of sensory
integration (SI). While the process of SI occurs automatically and without effort for
most, for some the process is inefficient. Extensive effort and attention are required in
these individuals for SI to occur, without a guarantee of it being accomplished. When this
happens, goals are not easily completed, resulting in sensory integration disorder (SID).
The normal process of SI begins before birth and continues throughout life, with the
majority of SI development occurring before the early teenage years. For most children
results from the brain's inability to integrate certain information received from the body's
five basic sensory systems. These sensory systems are responsible for detecting sights,
sounds, smell, tastes, temperatures, pain and he position and movements of the body. The
brain then forms a combined picture of this information in order for the body to make
sense of its surroundings and react to them appropriately. The ongoing relationship
between behavior and brain functioning is called sensory integration (SI). Sensory
integration provides a crucial foundation for later, more complex learning and behavior.
Sensory experiences include touch, movement, body awareness, sight, sound, smell, taste,
and the pull of gravity. Distinguishing between these is the process of sensory
integration (SI). While the process of SI occurs automatically and without effort for
most, for some the process is inefficient. Extensive effort and attention are required in
these individuals for SI to occur, without a guarantee of it being accomplished. When this
happens, goals are not easily completed, resulting in sensory integration disorder (SID).
The normal process of SI begins before birth and continues throughout life, with the
majority of SI development occurring before the early teenage years. For most children
the course of ordinary childhood activities, which helps establish such things as the
ability for motor planning and adapting to incoming sensations, others' SI ability does
not develop as efficiently. When their process is disordered, a variety of problems in
learning, development, or behavior become obvious.
Those who have sensory integration dysfunction may be unable to respond to certain
sensory information by planning and organizing what needs to be done in an appropriate
and automatic manner. This may cause a primitive survival technique called "fright,
flight, and fight" or withdrawal response, which originates from the "primitive" brain.
This response often appears extreme and inappropriate for the particular situation.
The neurological disorganization resulting in SID occurs in three different ways: the
brain does not receive messages due to a disconnection in the neuron cells; sensory
messages are received inconsistently; or sensory messages are received consistently, but
do not connect properly with other sensory messages. When the brain poorly processes
sensory messages, inefficient motor, language, or emotional output is the result.
According to Sensory Integration International (SII), a non-profit corporation concerned
with the impact of sensory integrative problems on people's lives, the following are some
signs of sensory integration disorder (SID):
ability for motor planning and adapting to incoming sensations, others' SI ability does
not develop as efficiently. When their process is disordered, a variety of problems in
learning, development, or behavior become obvious.
Those who have sensory integration dysfunction may be unable to respond to certain
sensory information by planning and organizing what needs to be done in an appropriate
and automatic manner. This may cause a primitive survival technique called "fright,
flight, and fight" or withdrawal response, which originates from the "primitive" brain.
This response often appears extreme and inappropriate for the particular situation.
The neurological disorganization resulting in SID occurs in three different ways: the
brain does not receive messages due to a disconnection in the neuron cells; sensory
messages are received inconsistently; or sensory messages are received consistently, but
do not connect properly with other sensory messages. When the brain poorly processes
sensory messages, inefficient motor, language, or emotional output is the result.
According to Sensory Integration International (SII), a non-profit corporation concerned
with the impact of sensory integrative problems on people's lives, the following are some
signs of sensory integration disorder (SID):
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