15/12/2024
Sensory integration is the ability to feel, understand, and organize information provided by the senses from the environment and from our own body.
Sensory integration allows for the organization and attribution of meaning to individual stimuli getting your body ready to respond. Sensory integration problems occur when the nervous system does not properly process information received from the external and internal sense organs. Sensory Integration problems can be caused by many other conditions such as: Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Sleep Disorders, Developmental delay, Traumatic brain injury, Learning disabilities.
A human has 8 senses – hearing, sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, balance, proprioception and interception. In the early stages of our lives, how we are able to integrate our senses develops over time and helps our ability to cope in an environment. If these do not integrate appropriately then we can see symptoms such as: delayed speech development, behavioural difficulties, difficulties with relationships, excessive sensitivity to noises, aversion to certain types of clothing or food, hyperactivity, low sensitivity, ignore and not react to pain or cold, able to focus on one activity for a longer period of time, lack of concentration, tires quickly, lower level of motor coordination, poor balance, problems catching and throwing a ball, difficulty handwriting or using scissors, problems getting dressed, constantly touching or smelling various objects, problems with sleep.
Thanks to special sensory integration therapy, it is possible to practice and support proper development. Occupational Therapy and Ayres Sensory Integration helps the child practice or learn to do activities that they usually avoid due to sensory issues. Sensory integration therapy is intended to help children respond correctly to the senses, understand how their experiences differ so that they can determine a more typical response. These activities are designed to help a child stay focused and organized during the day.
