Sensory Processing And The Central And Peripheral Nervous System

The term sensation is used when referencing the process of sensing the environment through taste, touch, sound, smell, and sight (Goldstein, 2014). Moreover, it is the process that occurs once the sensory receptor experiences stimulation, which in turn produces nerve impulses that are sent to the brain to be processed in its raw form, then perception comes into play (Goldstein, 2014). Perception is used to describe the way people interpret these sensations and tries to make sense of everything around them on a daily basis. Perception is the occurrences of the brain

A. Jean Ayres. Ayres’ was an occupational therapist that was responsible for the foundation and practice of sensory integration theory (W&S). Sensory integration theory is used to explain behavior, plan intervention, and predict how behavior will change through intervention (Roley et al., 2007). Ayres’ focus was on the organization of the central nervous system and how it was involved in the process of children using sensory information. Ayres’ theory of sensory integration describes how the neurological process relates to the recognition and organization of sensation from the body and environment (Devlin et al., 2010). This disorganization can lead to problems with learning, development, and behavior and also has a negative impact on occupational performance. In relation to the topic of Wilbargers’ DPPT, the focus of the articles collected was related to theoretical research on one particular sensory modulation problem defined by Ayres: tactile defensiveness. Tactile defensiveness is exhibited through the negative influence of touch avoidance symptoms (Moore & Henry, 2002). The aim of the Wilbargers’ DPPT is to utilize the connection between the client’s tactile sensation through the skin and nervous system to improve and normalize the sensation of

Auditory Processing Disorders, also known as Central Processing Disorders, are difficulties in the processing of auditory information in the central nervous system. The definition for an Auditory Processing Disorder is frequently changing and evolving. According to ASHA standards in 2005, a “central processing disorder refers to difficulties in the perceptual processing of auditory information in the central nervous system and the neurobiological activity that underlies the processing and gives rise to the electrophysiological auditory potentials (ASHA 2005).” Recent evidence has declared auditory processing disorders to be a legitimate clinical disorder resulting from confirmation of the link between well-defined lesions of the central nervous system and deficits on behavioral and electrophysiological central auditory measures (Musiek, F. Journal of American Academy of Audiology). An individual is likely to perform normally in tests including clicks and tones, rather than speech. There is a significant difference between the receptors for audition and speech processing. It is imperative that these disorders are diagnosed and treated early in a child’s development to eliminate developmental negative consequences.

We may not like loud noises, so we avoid crowds and clubs, or have textures issues, so we avoid slimy or squishy food, all without therapy. Our flight, fight, or freeze responses are our defense system again the unknown, but sensory processing treatment work on changing that response. With all of materials I compiled, I am in agreement that sensory processing disorder is the next “it” diagnosis for children. I do believe that children with Autism, ADHD, ADD, and Down Syndrome struggle with processing sensory information. However, there is no proof that sensory processing difficulties are not a byproduct or syndrome of the disability. More research is necessary in order to determine how and why sensory processing occurs and affects daily life. The goal for all educators is to provide students with the best education

Sensory Integration Disorder was a more personal video detailing the discussion between what appears to be a mother and her daughter. The daughter has multiple sensory related issues. While this can be common to have reactions to many different types of stimuli it is also common to have sensitivity to one type. Sensory integration disorder creates a traffic jam type of issue in the brain when receiving different stimuli and they are interpreted incorrectly (STAR, 2016)). An example for this young girl is

Dunn’s model proposes that individuals’ neurological thresholds for sensory stimuli and preferred self-regulation strategies influence their motor, behavioral, and emotional responses. A neurological threshold is a point at which a neuron or a sensory system is activated. Neurological thresholds are on a continuum and differ for each sensory system. Self-regulation strategies are also on a continuum and range from passive to active self-regulation strategies. The interaction of the neurological thresholds and self-regulation strategies leads to four sensory processing patterns. Individuals with the sensation-seeking pattern have high thresholds and use active self-regulation strategies and individuals with the sensation avoiding patterns have low thresholds and use active self-regulation strategies. Similarly, individuals with sensory sensitivity patterns have low thresholds and use passive self-regulation strategies and individuals with low registration patterns have high thresholds and use passive self-regulation strategies.

Sensory Integration would help Jessie respond better when feeling overwhelming to his schoolwork and working with others, as well as helping Jessie regulate his behaviors especially during transitions in school. With this frame of reference, the use of controlled sensory input can help Jessie facilitate appropriate adaptive responses. The more adaptive responses Jessie is able to make, the more organized her brain becomes and the ability to integrate sensory stimuli becomes more

• The theory of sensory integration implies that learning depends on sensory and motor capacities

To understand the study, we must first understand what sensory processing pattern means and how it can be related to the behaviors of autistic disorder. Sensory processing is the way that our sensory information is administered in our brains. It is how our brain takes the information given to it via visual, auditory, or spatial and responses accordingly. However, it has been hypothesized that those who have been diagnosed with autism do not respond the typical way, a way that will not disrupt their daily life, when dealing with sensory processing patterns.

Sensory processing develops naturally and is done without effort (What is, n.d., para 2). The brain’s “ability to process and organize sensations begins to emerge in the womb and continues into adolescence” (Bolles, 2001). “The human body takes in sensory input from several different sensory systems, organizes it in the brain for functional use, and then sends out signals to the rest of the body to activate” adaptive response (An Introduction, 2014). There are eight sensory systems found in the human body (SPD, n.d, para 1). Five of the eight sensory systems are known as the

Sensory processing is considered a theory and very subjective. So to answer the question is sensory processing disorder a real diagnosis depends on who is asked and how the question is asked. Many parents and Occupational Therapist believe that sensory processing disorder is a real condition. However, many professionals refute sensory processing as a disorder in isolation. Sensory processing disorder has had few setbacks the last couple of years. In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that pediatricians not use sensory processing disorder as a diagnosis because there no evidence that supported it has a separate disorder. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics agree that some individual’s experience sensory processing difficulties. This was followed by the expert committee’s decision to not included sensory processing disorder in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). It can take years to get a diagnosis in the DSM. Therefore, there is hope that sensory processing disorder will be included in the next edition of DSM. Among professionals, there is an agreement that some individuals have sensory difficulties. However, the disagreement

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?’

Jean Ayres an occupational therapist, developed the theory of sensory integration in 1960 (Smith, S., Mailloux, Z., & Erwin, B. n.d.). Jean Ayres defined sensory integration as “The neurological process that organizes sensations from one’s body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively in the environment” (Ayres,1989, p. 22). Occupational therapists are trained in adapting the environment to address such individual client needs (What Is Occupational Therapy, (n.d.). Jean Ayres believed that the various sensory systems allow us to successfully interact with the environment (Ayres, 1972, p. 1). Moreover, additional research also suggests that a child requires appropriate levels of arousal, orientation, and attention in order to interact and engage with the environment (Case-Smith & Bryan, 1999).

This chapter reviews research collected that is related to the phenomenon of sensory processing disorder. The growing number of sensory processing deficits reported, as well as the frequency in which therapists use sensory based interventions requires a more complete understanding of the intricacies of evidence supporting the use of sensory based interventions. Each of the six studies reviewed in this chapter varies in rigor, design, and construct definition thus producing mixed results. The information is a microcosm of the current landscape of research related to sensory processing disorder.

The nervous system comprise of the CNS and peripheral nervous system. The brain and spinal cord make up the CNS, while the autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system makes up the peripheral nervous system illustrated in figure 1 below.