Sensory integration is the ability of the brain to automatically take in information through our senses, organize it, and make a plan to produce a meaningful response.  Our senses include: seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, tasting, the awareness of movement, and the feeling of gravity.  Children must be able to organize sensory information successfully in order to function in daily activities, in relationships, and at school.  For most children, this process develops through normal childhood activities.

 

The inability to sort out certain information received through our senses is called sensory integration dysfunction or DSI. For some children, sensory integration does not develop as it should and the brain takes in too little or too much sensory information.  With too little sensory information, the brain does not process the sensory stimuli well enough and seeks out/craves more sensory stimuli.  With too much sensory information, the brain is on overload and causes a child to over-respond to sensory stimuli.  Either situation affects learning and can create a threatening situation for the child.  The psychological, emotional, learning, and social effects of sensory integration dysfunction on a child  may be reduced with proper sensory integration treatment.

Sensory integration therapy is a play-based therapy that has been designed to meet the needs of the child. Treatment helps the child take in information from all of the senses so that they can work together by participating in enjoyable activities that provide the sensations that his/her body needs.  Therapy also gives the child ways to become a better organized learner and develop play skills since playing is a child's primary job.

 

The therapists are in tune with the child's social and emotional needs, as they work together to assess and treat.  From the evaluation through each treatment session, there is a team effort (caregiver, therapist, etc.) to help each child realize his/her potential!