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Sensory Integration
Sensory integration therapy is a frame of reference used to help explain the relationship between brain function and behaviors of a child. It was first developed by Jean Ayers in the 1970's. This method of practice uses various sensory tools and stimuli to help the child experience the "just right" challenge so that the child can learn to respond adaptively to the environment.
Children with sensory integration dysfunction and/or sensory processing disorders face many challenges that affect play skills, socialization, family interaction, activities of daily living, coping, and skills required to carry out day to day tasks. There are many types of sensory integration dysfunction including sensory defensiveness (perceiving normal sensory stimuli as noxious), modulation disorders (high, low arousal levels), motor planning difficulties, and sensory seekers (those that crave an abnormal amount of sensory input) and sensory avoiders (those that withdraw or avoid tasks due to sensory integration difficulties).
There are many indicators of sensory integration dysfunction. In order for a child to be considered having difficulties in this area, data is collected from the family caregivers, the educational/therapy team, and the child through specific evaluations and observations. The data is then compiled and and interpreted and the child profiled according to clusters of symptoms. If a child is appropriate for sensory integration therapy, the therapist then chooses specific treatment strategies to help the child organize the sensory systems and brain together in order to help the child be successful in his/her environments.
Sensory integration therapy allows the therapist to treat the child holistically. The goal of therapy is to help the child organize information through the sensory systems, provide guided opportunities for the child to explore types of movement and sensory input, respond appropriately to sensory stimuli, feel successful and fulfilled, and ready the child for learning and interacting with others.
ACCESS has two occupational therapists certified to administer the Sensory Inegration Praxis Test (SIPT).
SENSORY TOOLS
The sensory diet, a term coined by OT Patricia Wilbarger. A sensory diet is a carefully designed,personalized activity schedule that provides the student with the correct sensory input a person's nervous system needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day. This method is used to alert or calm. A person whose nervous system is on "high trigger" will need more calming input, while someone who is more "sluggish" will need more arousing input to "wake-up" the nervous system. This is a technique used in classrooms and therapy at ACCESS Preschool and the Academy. Sensory disordered Infants, young children, teens, and adults can benefit from a well-designed sensory diet.
To design an effective sensory diet, you must be able to understand a students sensory system and what it needs at a given time. An Occupational Therapist uses advanced training and evaluation skills to design, train and implement sensory diets for your students. These “diets” are used throughout the day by teachers, therapists and parents to assist them in regulating their sensory system…to “just right”. The “just right” point of arousal means you are calm enough to attend, respond and learn at the optimal level. At this point, students are not sluggish or inattentive. This is a technique used in classrooms and therapy at ACCESS Preschool and the Academy. The ultimate goal is for the student to understand and implement their needed sensory strategies for self regulation.
ACCESS has two occupational therapists certified to administer the Sensory Inegration Praxis Test (SIPT).
Weighted blankets are one of the most effective tools for helping those difficult to calm down, high energy sensory kids. Children or adults with sensory processing disorders, particularly with tactile or proprioceptive dysfunction, have a need for the deep pressure input weighted blankets, vests, or lap pads provide. Children with excessively high energy levels find these blankets soothing for bedtime or throughout the day. They can bring one to school for quiet times. They can use these types of elements around their shoulders or whole body, or place them on their lap during desk work and reading times for the extra calming deep pressure input their bodies crave.
Weighted vests, lap quilts and blankets provide a calming effect for individuals with sensory processing difficulties, and increase ability to focus on tasks. OT’s commonly recommend these for individuals with autism, ADHD or sensory processing difficulties.
