SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY

What Is Sensory Integration?

There are seven senses that form the foundation of sensory integration, they are: visual, auditory, touch, smell, taste, vestibular (pull of gravity) and proprioception (body awareness and movement). These senses give us information about both our external environment and our internal environment. Our brain uses this information to form a composite picture of who we are physically, where we are, and what is going on around us. Sensory integration is the critical function of the brain that is responsible for producing this composite picture. Sensory integration is the foundation that allows for complex learning and behaviour.

Which children would benefit from SI and/or OT?

If after reviewing the signs and symptoms mentioned listed on the reverse, you suspect your child may have a sensory integrative disorder, an evaluation can be conducted at our center by a qualified and trained occupational therapist.

Evaluations usually consist of both standardized testing and structured observation of responses to sensory stimulation, posture, balance, coordination, and eye movements. In general, children with auditory processing disorders, ADHD, autism, and pervasive developmental disorders derive the highest benefits from SI.

Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration Evaluation and Therapy

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Occupational Therapy or Sensory Integrative Therapy?

• Does your child exhibit.....
• Oversensitivity or under sensitivity to touch, taste, smell or sight?
• Oversensitivity or under sensitivity to movement sensation?
• Unusually high or low activity level?
• Problems with motor coordination?
• Difficulty with writing and other hand skills
• Delays in speech, language, or motor skills
• Social and emotional problems
• Inability to unwind or calm self
• Difficulty with transitions between situations
• Difficulty with self-feeding & dressing skills
• Easily distracted
• Impulsive, lacking in self-control
• Poor self concept
• Delays in academic achievement
• Refuse to play on playground equipment?
• Why can’t my child figure out how to play with a new toy?
• Why can’t my child play in a group situation?
• Does SPD impact my child’s academic performance?

Here are some signs that visual skill difficulties are impacting a child’s ability to read:

• Moves head while reading
• Skips phrases unknowingly
• Poor comprehension
• Covers one eye while reading (strongly indicates eye teaming difficulties)
• Complains that the text blurs or letters jump on the page

Our Occupational Therapist can help to resolve these problems.