Sensory Integration Theory

These sensory activities are performed before attending applied behavioral analysis sessions. Common activities that assist with sensory processing involve movement, such as jumping, work activities, such as drawing, and equipment, such as weighted

Throughout her extinguished career, Ayres’ number one priority remained her patients. A majority of her work included one on one, sessions with her patients, so she could evaluate their needs closer, and to build a relationship with her clients (Spdfoundation1, 2010). Her first occupational therapy career began when she treated children out of her home, which was a trailer, at the time (Spdfoundation1, 2010). Later on, Smith, Mailoux, Miller- Kuhaneck & Glennon described her first clinic setting stating, “Ayres Clinic, established in 1977 served children with autism or learning disabilities, and by conducting continuing education courses regionally, nationally, and internationally to educate others about sensory integration” (2009).

Sensory integration is a condition that can be found in young children. This condition is defined as the difficulty of developing motor and cognitive skills at a typical rate(book). If the parent of a child with this condition is fully aware, most likely they will take the steps they need to better their child’s life. With that being said, the child will need an occupational therapist. The researcher has gathered information on the steps and guidelines of what an occupational therapist needs to follow for early intervention, the benefits it has for the child in need, and also the roles of an occupational therapist that will be further discussed. One of the most important role that an occupational therapist can do for a child with sensory integration is early intervention. The earlier you acknowledge the condition, the better outcome the child has at improving his/her physical and mental capabilities. Early intervention helps these children strive towards a path that improves their abilities and skills that are developed during these crucial years.

“The second level of integration is reached when the three basic sensations – tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive – are integrated into body percept, coordination of the two sides of the body, motor planning, activity level, attention span, and emotional stability (Ayres, 2005:54). Although Kianah’s vestibular system is processing input efficiently, her tactile and proprioceptive systems are poorly integrated leading to inefficient somatosensory processing. This leads to several other difficulties and forms the underlying basis for her somatodyspraxia.

Occupational Therapists within the school system are there to aid the IEP team and student. The goal is to help the student to perform tasks independently. The OT in the school is to help the student to prepare and perform learning and school-related activities (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2010). The OT is to work on goals related to their education. The OT is there to support the students in academic and non-academic roles within the school. These skills would be anywhere from social skills, math, behavior, recess and other aspects to the students school day. The OT helps the student engage in activities, succeed within the school environment with the academic focus, which is to improve the student’s fine motor skills. These skills are to help aid in cutting, writing, reading, and provide educational services and sensory skills. They support ideas within the learning community and classroom and can provide some daily living, such as hand washing and toileting. OT’s are active in the IEP collaboration and will provide help with the student on the

Four year olds are still very much learning through the use of their senses (Blaustein, 2005). As well, some children may have special needs concerning sensory processing and integration (Ayers, 1994). Children with sensory processing disorders range from over-responsive, under-responsive, to sensory craving (Ayers, 1994). Nonetheless, every person encounters a plethora of sensory stimuli each day and must take in information and integrate it with prior knowledge to make meaningful responses (Ayers, 1994). Multisensory centers provide young children with and without special needs with the opportunity to seek out sensory stimulation, acquire sensory integration and motor skills, learn coping skills, and understand basic scientific concepts (Blaustein, 2005).

It makes up a majority of the human body, covers a majority of our planet, and is in limited supply in California at the moment. Can you guess what it is? Water! Water is the life-giving substance that nourishes our bodies as well as the plant life here on Earth. Almost all of us have sat next to a quietly babbling brook, listening to the sounds, feeling the cool breeze blowing over the water, and watching as it rippled over the stones. Some of the happiest summer memories are those of diving through cold ocean waves, and feeling the water rush around us. Water is such a powerful force, and it widely known for its life-giving properties.

a. After watching the video on sensory integration, in one paragraph, or more, summarize your understanding of sensory integration, and how it is crucial to healthy development.

While we are students, learning to become occupational therapists, we are often going to come across a condition that we are unaware of and want to learn more about. For us, we came across Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and did not know much about it. We understood that SPD had an impact on a child’s ability to take in sensory information and affect how his or her brain reacts to it. However, we did not know how it affected a child in their day-to-day living, so we developed a clinical question of ‘how does sensory processing disorder affected children in their everyday life?’

A therapy program targeted to adults 21 years and older, the Sensory Program focuses on sensory integration, rehabilitation, and quality of life (Aptus Treatment Centre, 2016). Sensory integration is the process of absorbing sensory information followed by organizing and assigning meaning to said information, and thus, making it worthwhile (Aptus Treatment Centre, 2016). To respond appropriately and effectively to given sensory input and/or a situation, one experience appropriate sensory integration (Aptus Treatment Centre, 2016). The cliental of Aptus impairments in the way they integrate, process, and organize sensory information, resulting in feelings of confusion, stress and anxiety, frustration and fear (Aptus Treatment Centre, 2016). Thus, the goal of the sensory program is to reduce feels of anxiety, develop coping strategies, and offer opportunities in which to learn self-regulation and self-expression (Aptus Treatment Centre, 2016). As such clients participate in activities such as a period within the “Snoezelen Room,” “relaxation time” and “music” (Aptus Treatment Centre, 2016). The “Snoezelen Room” is an artificially designed space that offers a relaxing environment through soothing lighting, music, gentle vibrations, and tactile sensations (Aptus Treatment Centre, 2016).

Jean Ayres achieved many amazing accomplishments throughout her life, but one with the strongest impact was establishing a network called Center for the Study of Sensory Integrative Disorder (CSDII) (Burtner, Crowe, & Lopez, 2009). The nonprofit created by Ayres in 1972 was designed so that future practioners could continue work, study, and education in the field of sensory integration (Burner, Crowe, & Lopez, 2009). Years later, in 1982, the organization contained sixty-six members, and continued to flourish, thus it was renamed Sensory Integration International in order to include a comprehensive network of practioners (Buner, Crowe, & Lopez, 2009). Sensory Integration Disorder is more recognized in today’s society because of

The debate surrounding sensory processing disorder or sensory integration disorder is not a new but is growing within the medical and education fields. Many feel that sensory processing disorder is just the next “it” diagnosis. Others feel that sensory processing disorder is a real and effects many children. Research surrounding sensory processing disorder by itself is limited. Often, the research involving sensory processing is conducted with other disabilities or illnesses. The issues surrounding sensory processing disorder are:

Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT), a form of occupational therapy, uses exercises to strengthen the patients’ ability to sense touch, balance, and a sense of where the body is in relation to objects in space (MedicineNet, 2017). It is important that SIT is performed by a licensed occupational therapist in a structured, repetitive manner. This is because repetitive activities will aid the child’s nervous system to respond in a more organized way to sensations and movement. This type of therapy, within occupational therapy, can be used to treat patients that are overly sensitive or under reactive to touch, movement, sights, or sounds, unusually high or low activity levels, poor attention span, and poor body awareness. Types of sensory integration therapy include deep pressure, vestibular, noise, and visual techniques. For example, if a child is struggling with stability, the occupational therapist could use a swing as a form of SIT to improve their balance. Likewise, a patient who has difficulty visualizing might be prescribed SIT in the form of lights and moving objects.