Sensory Integration is a normal, neurological, developmental process which begins in the womb and continues throughout one's life. Although, it is important to note, the most influential developmental time is in the first seven years of life. Sensory processing is the process by which our brain takes in sensory input and interprets this information for use.
When talking about typical sensory processing, a productive, normal and "adaptive response" happens as; our neurological system takes in sensory information the brain organizes and makes sense of it which then enables us to use it and act accordingly within our environment to achieve "increasingly complex, goal-directed actions".
~ it is this "adaptive response" which facilitates normal development. ~
We, use our sensory processing abilities for:
* social interaction
* motor skill development
* focusing and attending so we can learn
If this neurological process becomes disrupted somewhere in the loop of intake, organization or output, then normal development and adaptive resnses will not be achieved. Learning, physical and emotional development, as well as behavior will therefore be impacted. It is this disruption which yields a neurological dysfunction called Sensory Integration Dysfunction/Sensory Processing Disorder.
Sensory processing functions on a continuum. We all have difficulty processing certain sensory stimuli (a certain touch, smell, taste, sound, movement etc.) and we all have sensory preferences.
~ It only becomes a sensory processing disorder when we are on extreme ends of the continuum or experience "disruptive, unpredictable flucuations which significicantly impact our developmental skills or everyday functioning." ~
Sensory Integration Dysfunction Symptoms
TACTILE: the sense of touch; input from the skin receptors about touch, pressure, temperature, pain and movement of the hairs on the skin.
VESTIBULAR: the sense of movement; input from the inner ear about quuillibrium, gravitational changes, movement experiences and position in space.
PROPRIOCEPTION: the sense of "position", input from the muscles and joints about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement and changes in position.
AUDITORY: input relating to sounds; one's ability to correctly perceive, discriminate, process and respond to sounds.
ORAL: input relating to the mouth; one's ability to correctly perceive, discriminate, process and respond to input within the mouth.
OLFACTORY: input relating to smell; one's ability to correctly perceive, discriminate, process and respond to different odors.
VISUAL: input relating to sight; one's ability to correctly perceive, discriminate, process and respond to what one sees.
We all have some types of sensory preferences. However, it is the FREQUENCY, INTENSITY, DURATION and FUNCTIONAL IMPACT of these symptoms which determine dysfunction.
A Sensory Integration Disorder is a neurological disorder; not a spoiled child, a product of bad parenting, ADD, ADHD, defiant child or a mental illness. Although, it is important to note, any of these could co-exist with a sensory processing disorder.
Reactions to specific sensory input. It is about HOW this input is TAKEN IN, ORGANIZED, AND UTILIZED TO INTERPRET ONE'S ENVIRONMENT AND MAKE THE BODY READY TO LEARN, MOVE, REGULATE ENERGY LEVELS AND EMOTIONS, INTERACT, AND DEVELOP PROPERLY.
When sensory Integration Dysfunction symptoms appear, they MUST be taken seriously as early as posible and treated properly by a knowledgeable professional.
A Summary of Sensory Integration Dysfunction Symptoms:
SIGNS OF AUDITORY DYSFUNCTION:
HYPERSENSITIVE: easily bothered by and distracted by noise. May experience noise as intense pain, may hear sounds more acutely then others.
HYPOSENSITIVE: may not hear their name, may not respond to various sounds, may make a lot of noise (humming, tapping etc), may like TV/music very loud.
SIGNS OF TACTILE DYSFUNCTION:
HYPERSENSITIVE: Refuses or resists messy play, resists cuddling and light touch, dislikes kisses, rough clothes or seams in socks, resists baths, showers, or going to the beach.
HYPOSENSITIVE: Doesn't realize hands or face are dirty, touches everything and anything constantly, may be self-abusive, plays rouch with peers, doesn't seem to feel pain (may even enjoy it)
SIGNS OF VESTIBULAR DYSFUNCTION:
HYPERSENSITIVE: Avoids playground and moving equipment, fearful of heights, dislikes being tipped upside down, often afraid of falling, walking on uneven surfaces, and avoids rapid, sudden or rotating movements.
HYPOSENSITIVE: Craves any possible movement experience, especially fast or spinning, never seems to sit still, is a thrill seeker, shakes legs while sitting, loves being tossed in the air, never seems to get dizzy, full of excessive energy.
SIGNS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE DYSFUNCTION:
UNDER-RESPONSIVE: Constantly jumping, crashing, and stomping, loves to be quished and bear hugs, prefers tight clothing, loves rough-housing, and may be agressive with other children.
OVER-RESPONSIVE: Doesn't understanding where body is in relation to other objects, appears clumsy, bumps into things often, moves in a stiff and/or uncoordinated way.
DIFFICULTY REGULATING INPUT: Doesn't know how hard to push on an object, misjudges the weight of an objet, breaks objects often and rips paper when erasing pencil marks.
SIGNS OF ORAL DYSFUNCTION:
HYPERSENSITIVE: Picky eater with extreme food preferences and limited repertoire, may gag on textured food, difficulty with sucking, chewing, and swallowing, extremely fearful of the dentist, dislikes toothpaste and brushing teeth.
HYPOSENSITIVE: May lick, taste or chew on inedible objects, loves intensely flavored foods, may drool excessively, frequently chews on pens, pencils, or shirt.
SIGNS OF OLFACTORY DYSFUNCTION:
HYPERSENSITIVE: Bothered or nauseared by cooking, bathroom and/or perfume smells, may refuse to go places because of the way it smells, chooses foods based on smell, notices smells not normally noticed by others.
HYPOSENSITIVE: May not notice unpleasant or noxious odors, smells everything when first introduced to it, may not be able to identify smells from scrath 'n sniff stickers.
SIGNS OF VISUAL DYSFUNCTION:
HYPERSENSITIVE: Irritated by sunlight or bright lights, easily distracted by visual stimuli, avoids eye contact, may become over aroused in brightly colored rooms.
HYPOSENSITIVE: Difficulty controlling eye movements and tracking objects, mixes up similar letters, focuses on little details in apicture and misses the whole, looses his place frequently when reading or copying from the blackboard.
This is not to be used as the absolute diagnostic criteia for labeling children with sensory processing diorder. But rather, as an educational tool and checklist for your own knowledge. Professionals who can diagnose this disorder hve their own tools in addition to checklists to observe and test for sensory integration dysfunction.
OTHER SYSTEMS AFFECTED
Postural Control - is related to proprioception and vestibular input. The body may be to rigid or may have low muscle tone. This can interfere with ones ability to perform activities of dailt living.
Level of Arousal - level may be high resulting in either hyper vigilance or lethargy since an individual could be shut down mode. The level may also be low resulting in either lethargy or hyperactivity because the individual is trying to keep himself alert.
Cross Dominance - refers to a motor skill wherein the person favours one hand for some tasks and the other hand for other tasks but is not actually ambidextrous.
Lateralization - the development of lateral dominance, one hand/foot/eye etc. becomes dominant. It also involves the development of specialized centres and functions in the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Thus, the right hemisphere sends messages to the left side of the bidy and the left hemisphere sends messages to thr right side of the body. the ability to corss the midline is a prerequisite for appropriate lateralisation.
Crossing the Midline - the ability of one side of the body to cross over to the other side by moving across the center line of the body, thus right hand cross over the midline and pick up a object from the left side of the body.
Bilateral Integration - the communication between right and left cerebral hemispheres, which allow the two sides of the body to move together in coordination with one another.
Treatment for Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Sensory Diet - a carefully designed, personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input a person needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day. Just as you may jiggle your knee or chew gum to stay awake individuals with ASD need to engage in stabilizing focusing activities also.
An Occupational Therapist can access the individual and put the proper Sensory Diet in place.
Generally, an individual whose nervous system is on "high trigger/too wired" needs more calming input, while the individual who is more "sluggish/too tired" needs more arousing input.
The effects of a sensory diet are usually immediate AND cumulative. Activities that perk up the individual or calm him are not only effective in the moment; they actually help to restructure the individuals nervous system over time so that he/she is better able to:
~ tolerate sensations and situations he/she finds challenging
~regualate his/her alertness and increase attention span
~ limit sensory seeking and sensory avoiding behaviours
~ handle transitions with less stress