Sensory Integration

Sensory Integration Dysfunction Overview

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) refers to the difficulty or inability the brain has in correctly processing information brought in by the senses. Children with Sensory Integration (SI) issues have difficulty organizing and processing sensory input from their environments. This may lead to behaviors that often limit their play, socialization, fine motor, gross motor and self- care skills to varying degrees. Sensory Integration Dysfunction can present itself in many forms and are commonly noticed in children with Autism and is also often seen in children with other disabilities such as ADD/ADHD or can be present by itself. It presents itself in a number of sensory seeking, sensory avoiding and Dyspraxic characteristics (clumsy, awkward movement patterns, difficulty planning movements). These issues can present range from mild to severe and impact on daily life accordingly.

Behavior Therapy Overview:

Behavior Therapy is a teaching technique built on the learning principals of Behavioral Psychologists. Behavior Therapy can be used to teach wide a variety of skills including joint attention, play skills, speech and language, gross and fine motor skills, toileting, social skills, and academics. Behavior Therapy can also be used to manage problem behaviors from mild behaviors such as calling out in class to aggressive behavior. Behavior Therapists use reinforcement strategies such as praise, play, and rewards to make learning fun and enjoyable!

ABA Overview:

Applied in the term Applied Behavior Analysis refers to the practical application of research-based Behavior Analysis, a science of psychology. Research Behavior Analysts such as B.F. Skinner, have studied learning patterns for over 50 years, and have developed laws of behavior, which when followed and applied to real-life settings, prove significantly effective.

A hallmark of Applied Behavior Analysis is to clearly understand exactly which behavior is trying to be taught or changed and to frequently assess, through direct measurements, whether or not the child is meeting goals and expectations.

Who Benefits From Behavior Therapy/ABA

ABA is useful throughout the life span. Infants through adults, struggling to learn ANY new skills, from babbling new sounds to parenting techniques, will benefit from ABA.

At the pediatric level, ABA is most commonly used to treat:

Typical children experiencing behavior problems in school
Children diagnosed with
- Developmental Delays
- Autism Spectrum Disorders such as Autism, PDD-NOS, Asperger s Syndrome, and Rett Syndrome
- Learning Disorders
- Downs Syndrome
- ADHD or ADD
Children with study skill difficulties/ self-organization difficulties
Children having difficulty understanding social skills

What Age Can Behavior Therapy Start

Behavior Therapy can start as early as birth, but typically begins when a child receives a diagnosis from a Physician or a referral from a School District. Some children receive a diagnosis as early as 12-15 months of age, while others are not diagnosed until they begin showing difficulties in school.

Sensational Kids combines their knowledge and expertise in ABA and bases many of their interventions on the research of Dr. Stanley Greenspan, who provides a Developmental Model for educating children with special needs. Dr. Greenspan invented the DIR/Floortime: (Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based) Model whose therapeutic application is called, Floortime . Understanding child development allows for the most appropriate treatment of children.

Children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction Often Display Some or Many of the Following Behaviors:

Activity Level:

Frequently seeks out movement experiences that might interfere with daily life activities
Might take excessive risks at school, home or within the community.
Seems hyperactive
Might seem lethargic and sluggish / avoiding movement activities more as compared to peers
Seems slow to respond to movement demands or requests

Attention:

Difficulty paying attention
Easily distracted
Difficulty following directions, poor attention span
Frequently moves from one activity to another, difficulty finishing tasks / games
Acute awareness of background noises which interferes with attention

Visual:

Might prefer to be in the dark / Avoids bright lights or lights in general
Seeks out looking at / staring at lights or objects / toys with spinning parts and / or flashing lights
Excessive, prolonged staring at people or objects
Avoidance of / poor eye contact
Might seem to fixate on staring at spinning or repetitively moving objects / toys or lights such as fans, leaves on trees etc.
Stares at lights / flashing lights
Difficulty with visual perceptual skills such as puzzles
Difficulty copying work accurately from the board (incorrect copying / misses lines)

Touch Processing (Under-Responsive):

Decreased awareness of pain or temperature / little or no crying when obviously hurt
Has to touch everything and touches people / objects to the point of irritation
Frequently or always wants to be barefoot or with minimal clothing
Seems to not be aware of food around mouth, mess on hands etc.
Leaves clothes twisted around body seemingly unaware

Touch Processing (Over-Responsive):

Exceptionally low pain tolerance complains of being hurt when accidentally touched
Walks on toes to avoid sensory input from the bottom of the feet
Frequently complains how clothing feels, agitated by tags on clothes as well as seams on socks (Clothing has to be positioned perfectly )
Avoids getting messy in glue, sand, finger paint, tape
Is sensitive to certain fabrics (clothing, bedding)
Avoids going barefoot, especially in grass or sand
The child may react strongly to stimuli on face, hands and feet
Avoids contact with or seems agitated by messy media such as finger paint, glue, sand, etc.
Avoids or responds negatively to grooming activities such as brushing the teeth, washing face, brushing or cutting hair
Refusal to wear certain clothes or insist on wearing long sleeves/pants to limit skin exposure
Frequently adjusts clothing
Extreme responses to accidental touch for example striking out at someone who accidentally brushes by them

Over-Responsiveness to Movement / Vestibular Input:

Becomes anxious or distressed when feet leave the ground
Avoids climbing or jumping in general
Hesitant to approach or play on age appropriate playground equipment
Avoids or gets overly anxious on amusement park rides
Can become car sick / nauseous when riding in a car
Hesitates going up and down steps
Fearful in space (on the swings, seesaw or heights)

Under-Responsiveness to Movement / Vestibular Input:

Excessively seeking out or fearful of movement activities, such as swinging, climbing, etc.
Seems to have no / little sense of fear
Seems to always be on the go
Spins, jumps excessively

Response to Noise / Sound (Auditory Input):

Oversensitivity to / more acutely aware of sounds in general
Appears scared / unusually startled by every day noises
Responds with anxiety / overly negative to unexpected or loud noises such as alarms, fire truck, fire alarm, etc. (more difficulty than expected calming afterwards)
Holds hands over ears in response to even daily life noises such as for e.g. coughing, laughing, toilet flushing, cars
Cannot walk with background noise
Might also seem oblivious within an active / noisy environment
Might often appear to not hear when name is called or have difficulty paying attention to relevant auditory stimuli within a noisy background (for example teacher s voice within classroom)

Response to Taste / Smell:

More limited diet than others his / her age due to being a picky eater
Overly sensitive to / annoyed by everyday smells that others might just ignore
Unusual sensitivity to sounds and smells
Avoids certain tastes/smells that are typically part of children’s diets
Frequently has hands in mouth / mouths non-food objects (when not age appropriate)
Frequently smells nonfood objects
Seeks out certain tastes or smells
Does not seem to smell strong odors

Under-Responsiveness to Movement / Vestibular Input:

Excessively seeking out or fearful of movement activities, such as swinging, climbing, etc.
Seems to have no / little sense of fear
Seems to always be on the go
Spins, jumps excessively

Response to Noise / Sound (Auditory Input):

Oversensitivity to / more acutely aware of sounds in general
Appears scared / unusually startled by every day noises
Responds with anxiety / overly negative to unexpected or loud noises such as alarms, fire truck, fire alarm, etc. (more difficulty than expected calming afterwards)
Holds hands over ears in response to even daily life noises such as for e.g. coughing, laughing, toilet flushing, cars
Cannot walk with background noise
Might also seem oblivious within an active / noisy environment
Might often appear to not hear when name is called or have difficulty paying attention to relevant auditory stimuli within a noisy background (for example teacher s voice within classroom)

Response to Taste / Smell:

More limited diet than others his / her age due to being a picky eater
Overly sensitive to / annoyed by everyday smells that others might just ignore
Unusual sensitivity to sounds and smells
Avoids certain tastes/smells that are typically part of children’s diets
Frequently has hands in mouth / mouths non-food objects (when not age appropriate)
Frequently smells nonfood objects
Seeks out certain tastes or smells
Does not seem to smell strong odors

Our Occupational Therapists Can Help With Sensory Integration Difficulties:

Sensory Processing and Modulation Assessment

To narrow down and pin-point your child’s specific Sensory Integration issues as well as recommendations for home and school to address these issues.

Standardized Testing

To assess how your child is performing in terms of coordination, dexterity as well as visual-motor integration skills compared to peers.

Therapeutic Listening

Assessment and Intervention – This listening program is geared to improving tolerance to noise, language development, movement processing as well as attention, body in space awareness and social connectedness.

Sensory Integration Therapy Services

Our experienced Occupational Therapists help to improve your child’s ability to organize the central nervous system through specific sensory input and activities and therapeutic activities. The suspended equipment/swings as well as multi-sensory movement and tactile toys within our Sensory-Motor Gym are geared specifically to the needs of children with Sensory Integration.

Sensory Diets and Practical Home Recommendations

Our therapists help parents cope with daily challenges manifesting as a result of Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction often need to experience specific movement and touch experiences daily in order to feel regulated and calm as well as to learn effectively. Our therapists assess your child’s Sensory Integration needs and prescribe home activities in order to facilitate improved calming, self-organization, attention and an improved ability to deal with daily life challenges.

School Consultations

We consult with school personnel to assess your child’s needs within the functional environment. Through these visits our Occupational Therapists provide relevant, practical Sensory Diet and other classroom/school recommendations to maximize participation.

Home Visits

Some therapy sessions and assessments can be performed within the home environment. Many parents find this helpful in terms of first hand observations and behavior. Our Occupational Therapists asses the home environment and make recommendations regarding how to modify the environment as well as on how to use everyday materials within the home to address and help change your child’s responses to sensory input.

Call Us Now For More Information: 856-810-5777

Or email us at Office@sensationalkidsllc.com