Sensory Integration

& Sensory

ProcessingDisorder

PRESENTED BY: BETH CRUM, MOT, OTR

& KEVIN SCHOENBERGER, PT

2/2015

Sensory Integration &

Sensory Processing Disorder

WHEN OUR SENSORY SYSTEM IS ADAPTABLE, WE ARE ABLE TO PAY ATTENTION, LEARN, PLAN AND BE ORGANIZED

See Taste Touch Hear Smell

Muscle Balance

Typical Sensory Processing

04/20/23

Difficulties in Sensory Integration

“Neurological ‘traffic jam’ that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly; exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses” A. Jean Ayres, PhD.

Can be misconstrued as behavioral problems, inattention, distractibility, motor incoordination, hypersensitivity, or emotional difficulties

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction, this term describes the inability to use the sensory information we receive

to attend, demonstrate knowledge, learn, move, interact with others & the environment, have self-esteem and self-control, and

express feelings

Signs of SPD include: *Overly sensitive *Under-reactive *Unusual activity level

*Clumsiness *Developmental delays *Easily distracted

*Impulsive *Social difficulties *Poor self concept

*Difficulty with transitions *Difficulty calming self *Emotional difficulties

Sensory Processing Disorders

1 in every 6 children experience symptoms of SPD significant enough to affect their ability to participate fully in everyday life

Child cannot respond to sensory information to behave in a meaningful and consistent way

Difficulty using sensory information to plan and carry out actions needed

Difficulty reading verbal and non-verbal cues Learning is impaired Misdiagnosis is common--ADHD

RESULTS

Inability to make friends or be a part of a groupPoor self-esteemAcademic FailureClumsinessUncooperativeDisruptive or “Out of Control”

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Subtypes of SPD Sensory Modulation Disorder

-Sensory Over-Responsivity

-Sensory Under-Responsivity

-Sensory Seeking/Craving

Sensory Discrimination Disorder

Sensory-Based Motor Disorder

-Postural Disorders

-Dyspraxia

Sensory System—Seven Senses

5 Primary Senses:

Hearing Taste

Touch Smell Vision

“Hidden Senses”

Vestibular Proprioception

Vestibular = Position in Space*Basis for coordination

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Proprioception = Muscle & joint sense

* The amount of force required to complete an activity

Proprioceptive & Vestibular Senses

These two senses are essential to the foundation for learning and achieving higher level executive functions such as communication, self-esteem, capacity for abstract thought, organization and concentration

Low, High, or Just Right?

Sensory Diet

Strategies and activities that help ‘modulate’ and

find the ‘just right’ state for the nervous system

Mouth = organizing, calming/focusing, alerting (GUM) Touch = ‘fidgets,’ deep pressure, temperature Look = lighting, color, alternate visual input Listen = noise level, rhythm, auditory distractions Move = heavy work, body movement

Heavy work (Proprioceptive Input)

Pushing & pulling

(tug of war) Stretches Wheelbarrow walking Animal walks Chair push-ups Commando crawling Working on vertical surface

Moving heavy items Sweeping Household chores Jumping Hammering Pouring Ripping Sit-ups Seat walk

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Body Movement (Vestibular Input)

LINEAR

Up & Down

Jumping

Climbing

Forward & Backward

Swinging or swaying

Dancing

Crawling

Rocking

ROTARY

In Circles

Spinning

Ring-around the rosy

Sit & spin

Tire swings

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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Improves neurological functionProvides individualized treatment so the child is able to behave in a more functional mannerProvides different forms of input during treatment to address child’s sensory processing needsProprioceptive or vestibular inputSensory equipment to add to home program

04/20/23

BEHAVIOR SPEAKS Each child is so very different, and has different requirements

and needs

But if you LOOK at what they are doing… they ARE telling you, in the only way they know how, with their behaviors, what

they NEED.

Take what they already DO and make it safer. More appropriate.

That’s the beginning of a child’s sensory diet.

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CASE STUDIES

Carter- Hyper-sensitive, sensory avoiding childJosh- Hypo-sensitive, sensory seeking childTransitions at school

2/2015

Kids are Sensational!

Thank you!