The term “sensory integration” describes the neurological
organization of our senses. Usually, when we think of senses,
we can count five: taste, smell, sight, sound and touch. Actually,
there are more, including the senses of proprioception (“where
am I in space?”) and vestibular processing (balance),
all involved with movement, gravity and body position. These
senses provide the “foundation” necessary for
all types of learning and movement to occur.
When our brains process the information we receive through
our senses, our nervous system responds appropriately to incoming
stimuli. Thus, we instinctively snatch our hands from a hot
stove, shift out weight from one foot to another when climbing
stairs, slip easily into our jackets and screech to a halt
before crashing into a tree.
Not only our physical response but also our behavioral, emotional
and intellectual responses depend on smoothly operating integration
of all our senses. When a person’s neurological processing
is inefficient, however, performing ordinary tasks and responding
to ordinary events can be enormously challenging. Unfortunately,
just growing older does not always mean getting better at
many physical and intellectual tasks. What does help is theraputic
intervention.
Early intervention services, not only incorporates typical
childhood play activities in a natural setting, but also works
with the child at a time in their life when their nervous
system is still growing and is very “elastic”.
It is a time when the most significant change can occur and
have a lasting affect on a child’s sensory and motor
development.
This type of help, at this early age, provides a” boost”
to young children so that they will have greater chances at
being more successful in their later years, both at school
and in their community.
In pre-school, the normal early childhood experiences, like
walking the balance beam, playing the rhythm sticks, attending
to circle time activities, pouring juice, asking and answering
questions, and interacting amicably with others, build healthy
neurological development. While all children thrive in this
environment, some are not so adept as their peers in these
activities, perhaps due to sensory integration dysfunction.
Sensory integration treatment, along with home activities,
not only assist the child in becoming more neurologically
organized but also helps the family better understand their
child. The OT helps parents create a home environment that
builds on the child’s strengths so that daily life is
more fun for everyone.
In school, the normal childhood experiences such as playing
on the monkey bars, sitting attentively with good posture,
learning to write, asking and answering questions, looking
at the board and back at their paper, and interacting amicably
with others, contribute to healthy neurological development.
While most children thrive in a school environment, some are
not so adept as their peers in these activities, perhaps due
to sensory integration dysfunction.
Occupational Therapy provides therapeutic intervention by
incorporating typical childhood play activities while gradually
increasing the challenges to the child’s sensory system.
Fun play on suspended equipment and a variety of new tasks
challenge and strengthen the child’s skills.
With sensory integration therapy, significant change can occur
and have a lasting affect on a child’s motor and sensory
development so that they will have greater chances at being
more successful in their later years, both at school and in
their community.
Sensory Integration and the Child by
A. Jean Ayers
The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock
Kranowitz
Making Sense of Sensory Integration - audiotape
Making Sense of Sensory Integration –
pamphlet
Out of the Mouths of Babes – pamphlet
(Discovering the Developmental Significance of the Mouth)
by Sheila Frick, Ron Frick, Patricia Oetter, Eileen Richter
Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster
Cline, M.D. and Jim Fay
A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Sensory Integration
– pamphlet
Published by Sensory Integration International
SenseAbilities – Understanding Sensory Integration
by Maryann Colby Trott, M.A., Marci K. Laurel,
M.A. CCC-SLP, Susan L. Windeck, M.S. OTR/L
Sensory Defensiveness in Children Aged 2-12
– pamphlet
by Patricia Wilbarger, Med, OTR, FAOTA, and Julia Wilbarger,
M.S. OTR
Engine Speed booklet
www.sinetwork.org
www.AOTA.org
www.alertprogram.com
www.aspennj.org
(for Aspergers Syndrome and nonverbal learning disorder)
www.onramp.net/autism
www.VitalLinks.net (Therapeutic Listening)
www.upledger.com
Emotional Intelligence Why It Can Matter More Than
IQ by Daniel Goleman
Raising Cain
Smart Moves “Why Learning Is Not All In Your
Head” by Carla Hannaford Ph.D.
Your Child with Special Needs by Stanley
Greenspan
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