The world we live in today is busier, noisier, and more chaotic than ever before in our history. We’re regularly exposed to new sounds, sights, and textures that, for most people, slip by us unnoticed. However, people with sensory integration issues can experience the world much differently.
Throughout this article, we will use the word sensory a lot. When we do, we are talking about a very specific list of ways our bodies experience and translate information from the world around them. The senses include vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell, proprioception, vestibular, and interoception.
What Does Sensory Integration Mean?
It’s easy to confuse sensory integration problems with sensory impairment. Sensory impairment refers to a decrease in one of the senses listed above, for example, hearing or vision loss. On the other hand, people with sensory integration difficulties may be able to hear perfectly, but their brains don’t process the data correctly. For example, a person with normal hearing may find it difficult to follow conversations or hear the television when other stimuli are taking place around them.
We all feel overwhelmed sometimes. All parents can identify with the feeling of trying to hold a conversation while kids are whining, the dog is barking, and the baby is crying. But for most of us, that sensation of sensory overload is temporary. In fact, the next day, we may find ourselves in the same situation and feel less overwhelmed. People with sensory processing issues experience persistent sensory problems in ways that can impact their everyday lives.
Not every person who fits this diagnosis will experience the same symptoms. There are two main categories and several subcategories under each. Read along to see which, if any, of these sound familiar to you.
Sensory Modulation Dysfunction
Individuals with sensory modulation dysfunction cannot modulate their attention, meaning their brains can’t sort out which sounds to focus on and which to tune out. We find people with heightened reactions to sensory inputs and those under responsive to input within this category.
A heightened reaction may look like sensitivity to touch, sensitivity to loud noises, and picky eating based on texture, temperature, and certain flavors. These sensitivities can make it difficult to do normal activities like playing on the playground, getting a haircut, or eating dinner.
An under responsive person may seek sensory input by acting out physically, fidgeting, or chewing on non-food items. These individuals may also act recklessly or not realize when they experience pain.
Dyspraxia
The second category of sensory integration issues is called Dyspraxia. This refers to a person’s difficulty planning coordinated movements.
Two categories of Dyspraxia are called Vestibular Bilateral Integration and Sequencing (VBIS) and Somatodyspraxia. People with varying degrees of Dyspraxia struggle with vestibular and proprioceptive stimuli, making it difficult to control their bodies through behaviors like balance and planning their movements.
These patients often appear clumsy and struggle with coordinated movements like running, kicking, or catching. These difficulties make it hard to participate in sports and other playground activities, and make it challenging to get dressed in the morning or walk from one place to another.
Why Occupational Therapy?
Sensory processing issues are prevalent in patients who have been diagnosed with autism, OCD, ADHD, and learning disabilities. We’ve found that occupational therapy is a highly effective treatment for patients learning to navigate these complications.
Occupational therapy is a type of treatment that helps patients learn the skills they need for everyday life. An occupational therapist is an essential teammate for children with sensory issues. They can help increase positive behaviors by teaching skills like self-calming, communication, independence, and tasks for daily living like dressing, grooming, and feeding.
Individuals with sensory integration issues may find it difficult to navigate their everyday lives. Our team of occupational therapists is prepared to help your child develop essential daily skills, build their confidence, and help them increase their independence.
If your child has a sensory processing disorder or you want more information from our office on how occupational therapy can help them, contact us today.