Sensory Integration

Sensory integration is the automatic process of taking information from our senses and organising it in our brain so we can act in our world and do what we are meant to do.

It does many things:

• Acts as an unconscious process of the brain (occurs without us thinking about it – like breathing) that organises the information detected by one’s senses (taste, sight, hearing, touch, smell, movement, gravity and position).
• Gives meaning to what is experienced by sifting through information and selecting what to focus on (such as listening to a teacher and ignoring the noise of outside traffic).
• Allows us to act or respond to the situation we are experiencing in a purposeful manner (known as an adaptive response).
• Forms the underlying foundation for academic learning and social behaviour.

(Ayres, J., revised 1995, p 5)

The sensory systems:

• Vestibular – movement and balance sense
• Tactile – sense of touch
• Proprioception – sense of where the body is when not looking
• Vision – what we see
• Olfactory – what we smell
• Gustatory – what we taste
• Auditory – what we hear
• Interoception – what our body tells us about our internal system (such as pain, toilet needs and emotions)

When sensory integration works well:

Information is processed automatically, consistently and reliably – allowing us to pay attention, listen, move, learn, relate with others and act appropriately.

What can go wrong?

Sensory processing difficulties occur when information from the senses is not perceived or interpreted accurately. Children may become overly sensitive to touch, movement, sights or sounds, or alternatively under-reactive – seeking out more stimulation than most, or appearing generally unaware. As a result, children can have difficulties with attention, behaviour, learning, communication or relating with others.

How are different types of sensory processing disorders managed:

• Sensory modulation disorders including sensory defensiveness, low registration or dampened registration and sensory seeking.
• Movement based disorders including Vestibular/ visual/ auditory integration issues, Bilateral integration and Sequencing Disorders and Postural-occular issues (vestibular-proprioceptive).
• Sensory Discrimination based disorders including Praxis or planning disorders.

What approach does Kids Matters OT offer for Sensory Processing Difficulties?

1.  A full assessment of your child’s individual differences in sensory processing, reading, writing, spelling, learning, motor skills, play, organisation and planning.

2.  Sensory processing-based treatment for any sensory processing needs. We have therapists who are qualified sensory integration therapists — if this is something you’re specifically looking for, let us know when filling out our new client enquiry form. All other therapists at Kids Matters OT ground their practice in a thorough understanding of sensory processing needs.

3.  Specific structured learning interventions as required, including fine motor skill remediation, gross motor skill remediation, visual motor integration, handwriting, reading and play skills.

4.  Cognitive-based interventions to help your child understand and regulate their arousal level, including therapy based on The Alert Program/ How Does Your Engine Run?

5.  DIR/Floortime®-based treatment to help caregivers tailor their interactions and environments to provide the right level of sensory stimulation for their child.