Sensory Integration
Sensory Integration is the ability to take in and utilize information from our senses to respond to the demands of our environment. We receive this sensory information constantly, and our brains must be able to organize it to effectively allow us to function successfully in our day-to-day lives, making sensory integration a vital part of a properly functioning nervous system.
"Sensory information" refers to the information we receive from not only our five main senses--touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell--but also two other "hidden senses"--proprioception (our sense of body awareness) and vestibular (our sense of movement and balance). Children with sensory integrative dysfunction rarely give themselves the proper stimulation on their own. Therefore, therapy provides an opportunity for the child to participate in guided play that will help the brain work effectively. Therapists utilize a play format to engage the child so that the therapy will be maximized. It takes a tremendous amount of skill to make therapy appear casual, but both the child and the therapist are actually working very hard. All the activities are purposeful and directed toward a goal. Therapy is not designed to learn specific skills, but to learn how to organize the brain so that it will work better. This organization can then be used by the child to learn specific skills.
"Sensory information" refers to the information we receive from not only our five main senses--touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell--but also two other "hidden senses"--proprioception (our sense of body awareness) and vestibular (our sense of movement and balance). Children with sensory integrative dysfunction rarely give themselves the proper stimulation on their own. Therefore, therapy provides an opportunity for the child to participate in guided play that will help the brain work effectively. Therapists utilize a play format to engage the child so that the therapy will be maximized. It takes a tremendous amount of skill to make therapy appear casual, but both the child and the therapist are actually working very hard. All the activities are purposeful and directed toward a goal. Therapy is not designed to learn specific skills, but to learn how to organize the brain so that it will work better. This organization can then be used by the child to learn specific skills.
Sensory Integration and Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the most common developmental disability of childhood. Approximately 90% of individual's with Autism experience dysfunction in sensory processing (such as spinning self, waving hands in front of face, or flapping hands) that substantially interferes with function. Parents and teachers indicate that these are some of the most challenging obstacles to participation in activities for children. When parents of children with ASD identify goals that may be related to difficulty in processing and integrating sensation, a comprehensive evaluation of sensory integrative factors that includes sensory perception and reactivity, vestibular bilateral functions, and praxis should be undertaken (Schaaf, Burke, et al., 2014). This evaluation will allow the occupational therapist to determine whether a sensory integration approach is warranted.
New research has found that occupational therapy with a sensory integrative approach is effective in improving the level of participation and symptoms of children with ASD. The leaders in the field of occupational therapy have developed a specific therapy protocol which combines Data Driven Decision Making (based on the results from standardized testing) with sensory integration therapy. This protocol ensures several aspects in treatment that may be overlooked in other treatment approaches:
1. Specific data is gathered using thorough standardized testing via the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) and the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM)
2. Measurable goals are established with the family
3. The therapy environment has specialized equipment available to address all needs of the child (e.g., hanging, swinging, climbing, and crashing equipment must be available)
4. Treatment sessions are tailor made to each child to address his or her specific areas of sensory concern and the goals established with the family
New research has found that occupational therapy with a sensory integrative approach is effective in improving the level of participation and symptoms of children with ASD. The leaders in the field of occupational therapy have developed a specific therapy protocol which combines Data Driven Decision Making (based on the results from standardized testing) with sensory integration therapy. This protocol ensures several aspects in treatment that may be overlooked in other treatment approaches:
1. Specific data is gathered using thorough standardized testing via the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) and the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM)
2. Measurable goals are established with the family
3. The therapy environment has specialized equipment available to address all needs of the child (e.g., hanging, swinging, climbing, and crashing equipment must be available)
4. Treatment sessions are tailor made to each child to address his or her specific areas of sensory concern and the goals established with the family
Proudly powered by Weebly