Sensory Integration

Sensory Integration and Your Child

Can you imagine crying because the seams in your jeans rubbing on your skin hurts?

How about not wanting to eat certain foods because you don’t like the feel of the food in your mouth or on your hands? Then there’s the frustration of not being able to concentrate in school due to people and environmental noises that most of us don’t regularly notice. These are very real situations for children and families dealing with Sensory Integration Disorders.

Sensory Integration Disorder is defined by Jean Ayers as the brain’s inability to process or organize “the flow of sensory impulses in a manner that gives the individual good, precise information about himself or his world." Sensory systems that can be effected include visual (sight), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), proprioceptive (input from joints and muscles), vestibular (balance), tactile (touch), and gustatory (taste). Each of these senses can be either overly sensitive or under-responsive to input. Sensory Integration Disorder is often associated with autism, pervasive development disorders, and/or ADHD, but is able to stand alone and is often mistaken for a difficult or picky child. This disorder affects each child to a varying degree and with different symptoms.

This condition is diagnosed by a doctor, who will then request evaluation by an Occupational Therapist certified in Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT). This standardized method of testing includes 17 subtests that evaluate a child’s ability to use information from his/her senses to perform tasks. The use of this standardized evaluation will be dependent upon the age, ability and severity of the child’s condition.

Through the use of this specialized assessment tool, the occupational therapist will be able to identify which systems are affected so that they can treat the child effectively. Treatment includes educating parents, caregivers, teachers, and the child about the sensory systems that are over- or under-responsive to information and how it is affecting the child. Then, the therapist will work to reorganize these systems to decrease the child's symptoms and improve their daily function.

Blanchard Valley Rehabilitation Services is excited to offer this specialized assessment tool to Findlay and the surrounding community. For further information or to schedule an appointment, please call our Outpatient Center on the University of Findlay Campus at (419) 425-3199.

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