whatissensoryintegrationnew

What is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration is the organization of sensory information so that we may use it in an adaptive manner. This requires that the many parts of the nervous system work together allowing us to interact with the environment effectively and feel good doing it.

Disclosure

Information on this website should not be construed as medical or therapy advice and is provided only as general information. Please consult your physician and other health professionals for specific advice.

My good sensory integration abilities

allow me to roller skate
as I quickly shift my
vision, adjust my body to accommodate the changing center of gravity, coordinate
moving my arms, legs and head, calculate my distance from other skaters, feel the skates squeezing my little toe and move to the music all at the same time.

Symptoms of Dysfunction in Sensory Integration

Clumsiness

Fine- motor difficulties

Craving movement

Fearful of movement

Language delays

Sensory sensitivities

Picky eater

Crashing into things

Easily frustrated

Poor eye contact

Perceptual deficits

Easily overwhelmed

Confuses right/left

Avoids crossing midline

Unclear hand dominance

Reading difficulties

Difficulties with

staying alert

Auditory processing problems

Distractibility

Difficulties with visual tracking

Low muscle tone

Activities that may lower arousal levels

Rolling up in a blanket

Wearing a Heavy backpack

Lifting Weights

Digging soil or sand

Rolling down a hill

Shoveling snow

Crawling through a cloth tunnel

Pushing a lawn mower

Ankle or wrist weights

Slow swinging

Rocking chairs

Slow rocking over a bolster

Merry-go-rounds

Sledding

Swimming

Running or jogging

Cycling

Skiing

Trampoline jumping

Sandwiching between two pillows

Pillow fights

Wrestling

Squeeze toys

Chewing gum

Chewing crunchy foods

Climbing

Slides

Sucking thick liquids through a straw

Scooter boards

Dim lights

Quiet music

Rolling on top of a ball

A small, cozy, cushioned corner

A warm bath

Pogo stick

Sit and Spin

A ball rolling up and down the body with deep pressure

Bean bag chair

Massage

Avoiding the mall

Warm soup

Activities that may raise arousal levels

Fast rocking

Fast swinging

Jumping games

Slides

Sledding

Running or jogging

Cycling

Fast bouncing

Loud, erratic music

Bright lights

Sucking on ices, juicicles

Light touch/tickles

Unevenly pitched speaking voices

Sour sucking candy

Lemon odor/flavor

Chewing gum

Using a ball seat

Cool shower,

Dancing

Gymnastics

Martial Arts

Squeeze toys

Vibrating toothbrush

Wheelbarrow walking

Playing with pets

Somersaults

Home Developmental Disabilities Pediatrics Geriatrics Fun and Games Hippotherapy Resources

Sensory Receptors Take in Information

We take in a lot of sensory information by
doing almost nothing, while sitting, looking
around and listening. Eyes and ears are
sensory receptors. So are taste buds on the
tongue and the receptors in the nose that

smell the roses. The skin receives information all over the
body and receptors are abundant in the fingertips. In fact,
the finger tips are so smart they can read braille!

The vestibular receptors located in the inner ear tell
us that we are moving and where our center of
gravity is so that we can balance as we move. They

also tell us that the rolling sea is making us just as nauseous
as the choppy home movies.

These Activities Provide Vestibular Input

Going Up and Down

trampoline

In A Horizontal Direction

swing

Or Rotary Direction

balloon

The proprioceptive receptors in our muscles
and joints also send messages to the brain
to know how much force to use when cracking
an egg and to tie our shoes without looking at

them. The proprioceptive system helps us to maintain our
posture so that we don't droop like a noodle and to know
where our body is in space so that we don't step on our
dance partners toes.

Children develop good sensory integration by actively
engaging in activities, especially when using the
vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile senses.

How Is Dysfunction in Sensory Integration
Assessed?

Diagnosis of a Dysfunction in Sensory Integration is determined
by assessment which includes an interview or a written a checklist
of behaviors provided by the family, caregivers or teachers.
A therapist will typically observe the child in different settings
such as the classroom, recess, physical education class or at
home. No one symptom is enough for a diagnosis, but rather
a cluster of symptoms indicate a dysfunction.

Some typical questions on a checklist are:

Does your child prefer dim lights?
Does your child crave movement?
Does your child avoid noise?
Does your child avoid walking barefoot?
Does your child get nauseous easily?
Does your child prefer to play alone?
Is your child a fussy eater?
Does your child have difficulty sleeping?

Standardized testing should address gross and fine-motor,
visual motor and perceptual skills. Examples of visual motor
skills include copying shapes, writing, drawing and copying
dot designs on a grid such as this. Please visit
Barbara's Perceptual Game for more information on perceptual skills.

dotsgrid

Examples of perceptual skills includes finding hidden shapes,
discriminating which shapes are facing in the same direction,
completing puzzles and identifying objects in the hand without
looking.

This version of the Operation game involves picking a
picture card. Then the player feels inside the clown's
head to find the matching three dimensional shape
using only tactile cues. Games like this help to develop
tactile discrimination skills.

Therapists also look at the ability to motor plan- that is to
execute novel movement and to use both sides of the body
in a coordinated manner. This can be assessed by asking
the child to copy body and hand postures (such as one hand
on the shoulder and the other hand on the head) and observing
the child as she negotiates an obstacle course, plays ball and
performs jumping jacks.

jumpingjacks

Who Has Dysfunction in Sensory Integration?

Although many children who have
sensory integration problems also
have an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
or (ADHD), they are different diagnoses
and having one does not mean that the
person has the other. A medical doctor
or psychologist can make the diagnosis
of ADD. Many children with learning
disabilities also have sensory issues.
But again, they do not necessarily co-exist.
Problems in sensory processing are often

seen in children raised in orphanages or other institutions
where they did not receive proper early stimulation.

Sensory integration difficulties are often seen in individuals
with other disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, brain
injury, Rett's Syndrome, Lead Poisoning and psychiatric
disorders such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Sadly,
fine-motor problems have become more prevalent as children
spend more time in front of television and computer screens
and have less and less opportunities for physical exercise.
http://tvbgone.com/cfe_tvbg_main.php

How Is sensory Integration Treated?

Some children have difficulty with sensory "regulation",
"modulation" or "processing". These terms mean that
the information from the environment is not being utilized
in a normal way. People need to screen out the meaningless
stimuli such as the clock ticking in order to focus on what is
important like the baby crying or the teacher giving out a
homework assignment. If a person can't inhibit stimuli he
may be in a constant state of fear, sensitivity and anxiety.
Such children can blow up when touched lightly on the
shoulder because they perceive light touch as a threat.

Some children are the opposite and need to be aroused to
participate in the world. They seem sluggish and crave
stimulation to make themselves alert. The goal of therapy is
to normalize the state of arousal and help the child meet
his sensory needs. Therapists try to do this by implementing
a Sensory Diet. This is a no calory diet that can help
children learn how to regulate themselves by understanding
their own sensory needs.

liftingweights

Sensory Diet: What's on the Menu?

Let's think of the nervous system as an engine that is running
either high, low or just right. The person with the high running
engine is overly alert, agitated and defensive (touch may be
especially upsetting). These individuals often benefit from
a diet rich in deep pressure tactile, vestibular and
proprioceptive stimulation. Heavy work activities provide
great proprioceptive stimulation. Some individuals find that
slow vestibular movement, such as swinging, rocking, bouncing,
is relaxing and brings the engine down, especially before
bedtime. But these same people may be craving and benefit
from faster movement during the day. There is some trial and
error involved in designing an individual's sensory diet. Let the
child be your guide. An occupational therapist can help design
the sensory diet for school and home which will help your child
do and feel his best.