|
|
|
|
|
SENSORY
INTEGRATION |
 Sensory
Integration is the brain process of organizing sensation from the
environment for use by the mind and body. It is a theory used within the
field of occupational therapy and was originated by A. Jean Ayres, OTR,
Ph.D.
A sensory integration (SI) disruption is a problem in processing
sensations which causes difficulties in daily life. SI is a complex
neurodevelopmental disorder, manifested by difficulty discriminating,
modulating, and/or integrating sensation adaptively. An SI problem
causes children to process sensation from the environment or from their
bodies in a disrupted way, resulting in a variety of sensory motor
difficulties. These difficulties are categorized based on the
neurological process which underlies them. There are two main
categories, each with specific disruptions. The first category relates
to how the brain uses specific sensory information for skill
(discrimination). A problem in this area affects how skillful a person’s
responses are, and creates a pattern of clumsiness in body, hand and
mouth skill. This is referred to as 'dyspraxia," or a motor planning
problem. The second category relates to how the brain uses sensory
information to maintain an optimal state of alertness based on the
setting and demands of the moment (modulation). A disruption in this
processing can result in over or under reactivity to sensation, or a
negative overreaction pattern referred to as sensory defensiveness. It
can also result in poor use of sensation to maintain optimal, organized
behavior which matches the context/environmental demands.
Children can have difficulties in either or both categories. Careful
assessment leads to appropriate treatment.
 Here are two links
to excellent sites that provide more information on sensory integration.
http://www.otawatertown.com
http://www.sinetwork.org
At Developmental FX we specialize in understanding how sensory
integration is a part of the presentation with Fragile X Syndrome and
other neurodevelopmental disorders.
|
|
|
