What is Sensory Integration?
Sensory integration, also known as sensory processing, is the brain’s ability to interpret, organise and respond to the information we receive through our senses for functional behaviour. To participate successfully in an environment, a child needs to be able to adapt and manage the stimuli in the environment. When a child receives inaccurate or unreliable sensory input, their ability to process the information and organise their behaviour effectively is disrupted.
Sensory integration occurs in the central nervous system and takes place in the parts of the brain responsible for coordination, attention, arousal levels, emotions and behavior regulation, memory and higher-level cognitive functions.
Sensory integration provides individuals with a firm foundation for higher level cognitive and motor skills. Without this firm foundation, individuals have nothing to support higher level skills, and therefore their ability to complete these tasks is compromised. This can be represented in the pyramid of learning:
Sensory Integration is fundamental to learning, and the seven senses are the foundation stones for learning. If these senses to not develop or function effectively, it has a knock on effect through the entire pyramid all the way to the top, thus impacting on the child’s learning ability and overall development.
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
For some children Sensory Integration does not occur as it should. Sensory Integration Dysfunction occurs when the child’s brain cannot sort out, filter, analyse, organise and connect (or integrate) sensory messages. Dysfunction does not mean the brain is damaged but that information from the senses is not flowing and integrating as efficiently as it should.
Difficulties with Sensory Integration result in the child being unable to respond to sensory information in order to behave in a meaningful, consistent way. The child may also have difficulty planning and organising what they have to do therefore, as a consequence may find learning difficult. A child with Sensory Integration Dysfunction does not feel secure or safe, nor do they experience the fun that other children do. Difficulties with Sensory Integration can cause significant difficulties with self-regulation, motor skills, learning, play skills and interaction with others.
SI Dysfunction is a condition that is often associated with other developmental disorders such as:
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Specific Learning Difficulties
- Developmental Disabilities
- Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)
Sensory Integration Therapy
Sensory Integration Therapy is a highly specialised treatment developed to treat both children and adults with sensory integration difficulties. The therapy is individual-focused, and play-driven, using activities tailored to the individual’s sensory and motor needs. A key element of this approach is active participation of the child or adult to ensure that adaptive responses are elicited. Direct sensory integration treatment demonstrates improvements in play, individualised goals, social interaction and a decrease in sensory symptoms.
At Inclusive Children’s Therapy our qualified Sensory Integration therapists will assess your child using standardised and non-standardised tests, clinical observations and questionnaires which look at the child’s sensory processing function, motor planning, sequencing and how they affect gross and fine motor skills, self-care, play skills and learning.
This child centred therapy employs the child’s inner drive and motivation at just the right level to develop appropriate adaptive responses in order to improve his skills in every aspect of his functioning, from school to home life.
To see how we can help you please contact us.
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