Sensory Integration Dysfunction:

For some children, sensory integration does not develop as efficiently as it should and a number of problems occur in learning, development or behavior. Some of the following signs may signal that such a disorder is present:

• Overly sensitive to touch, movement, sights or sounds. This may manifest as irritability or withdrawal
• Under-reactive to sensory stimulation. A child who may be oblivious to pain.
• Activity level that is unusually high or low.
• Coordination problems.
• Delays in speech, language, motor skills or academic achievement.
• Poor organization of behavior.
• Poor self concept.

Do you have children who have trouble paying attention? Interrupt or intrude on others? Wiggle, fidget and squirm? Slump or fall out of their chairs? Are unusually sensitive to touch and noise? Have writing you cannot read? Lose or misplace belongings? All these traits are common in children with sensory integration deficits, that is, children who find it difficult to organize sensory input in a way that lets them effectively interact with their environment.

What Therapy Can Do:

In therapy, a child will be guided through activities that challenge his or her ability to respond appropriately to sensory input by making organized responses. Therapy will involve activities that provide vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile stimulation and are designed specific to your child. Emphasis is placed on automatic sensory responses. Typically, a variety of activities will be used to develop abilities as opposed to specific tasks. The child will rarely be a passive recipient, but will rather be an active participant in this play-like therapy. This type of therapy is almost always fun for children. When a sensory integrative approach is successful, the child is able to automatically process complex sensory stimuli more effectively. The child will have more normal responses to stimuli and an improvement in coordination and motor planning.

What Can Parents Do?

The most important way a parent can facilitate sensory integration is by recognizing that it exists. There is no one "cookbook" for selecting the right activities for every child. Some general principles should be remembered:

• Remember ALL the senses. Holding, touching, rocking and positioning play just as important a role as sight and sound.
• Be sensitive to YOUR child's reactions.
• Look for clues from your child.
• Recognize your child's abilities.
• Foster the spirit of play.
• Involve your child in activities.

Additional Links:

Sensory Integration Network:  http://sinetwork.org

Sensory Integration Articles: http://community.com/disabilities/sensory_integration/index.html

Sensory Integration Resources: http://www.community.com/disability/sensory_integration/resources.html

Childrens Disabilities Information Page http://www.childrensdisabilities.info

Pocket Full of Therapy Sensory Integration Therapy Products: http://www.pfot.com

Sensory Integration Dysfunction:(Parents Info Page): http://www.geocities.com/~kasmom/sid.html

Fun Therapy Goodies: http://www.fun-therapy-goodies.com/  low cost, durable pediatric therapy goodies, such as swings and scooters!

Central Auditory Processing Disorders: Signs and Symptoms: http://www.kidspeech.com/signs_central.html