SENSORY INTEGRATION

What is sensory integration?

Sensory integration refers to the processing, integration,
and organisation of sensory information from the body and
the environment.
It is how we experience, interpret and react to (or ignore)
information coming from our senses. Sensory integration
is important in all the things that we need to do on a daily
basis, such as getting dressed, eating, moving around,
socialising, learning and working.
Sensory integration is also the way the brain processes
and makes sense of information from the senses, like
touch,sight,and hearing. The brain takes in this information
and uses it to understand and respond to the world.

TYPES OF SENSORY INTEGRATION

1. Vision
2. Auditory
3. Tactile
4. Gustatory
 5. Olfactory
6. Proprioception
7. Vestibular
8. Interoceptive

1: Vision: Visual integration is the process by which the

brain integrates and interprets visual information from the
eyes. This information is used to create a coherent picture
of the world around us. The brain uses information from
both eyes to create depth perception and to track the
movement of objects in our field of vision. Visual
integration also involves the ability to focus on objects and
filter out distractions. It is a complex process that is
essential for everyday tasks like reading, driving, and
navigating our environment. Without visual integration, it
would be difficult to function in the world around us.

2: Auditory: Auditory integration is the process by which

the brain receives, processes, and interprets sounds. The
brain uses auditory integration to identify and interpret
sounds, such as speech and music. Auditory integration
also helps the brain to filter out background noise and
focus on important sounds. The brain uses auditory
integration to understand the meaning of spoken words
and to process the rhythm and melody of music. It is also
important for learning, as children need to be able to listen
and respond to spoken language in order to develop
language skills. People with auditory integration difficulties
may have trouble understanding speech, especially in
noisy environments.

3: Tactile: Tactile integration is the process by which the

brain receives and interprets information from the sense of
touch. This information comes from receptors in the skin,
muscles, and joints that respond to pressure, vibration,
temperature, and pain. Tactile integration is essential for
learning about the environment and for performing skilled
tasks such as handwriting, typing, and playing a musical
instrument. It is also important for social interactions such
as holding hands or giving someone a hug. People with
tactile integration difficulties may be hypersensitive or
hyposensitive to touch.

4: Gustatory: Gustatory integration is the process by

which the brain interprets and combines information from
the senses of taste and smell. Taste is detected by
receptors on the tongue, and smell is detected by
receptors in the nose. The brain then uses this information
to create a cohesive experience of flavor. Gustatory
integration allows us to enjoy food and distinguish different
flavors, and it is also important for detecting and avoiding
potentially harmful substances. In addition to the five basic
tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami), gustatory
integration also helps us to perceive other sensations such
as spiciness and coolness.

5: Olfactory: Olfactory integration is the process by which

the brain receives, processes, and interprets information
from the olfactory system, which is responsible for the
sense of smell. The olfactory system consists of receptors
in the nose that detect chemicals in the air, and nerves
that transmit information about these chemicals to the
brain. Olfactory integration involves identifying and
interpreting smells, as well as linking them to memories
and emotions. It is an important part of the way we
experience the world around us, and it can be linked to
pleasure, danger, and other feelings.

6: Proprioception: Proprioceptive integration is the

process by which the brain receives and interprets
information from the body's proprioceptive system. This
system provides information about the position and
movement of the body's joints and muscles.
Proprioceptive integration helps the body to coordinate
movement, maintain balance, and perceive the position of
the body in space. It is important for a variety of skills,
including walking, running, jumping, and reaching.
Proprioceptive integration also helps the body to perceive
the amount of force needed to complete a task.
7: Vestibular: Vestibular integration is the process by
which the brain receives and interprets information from
the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance
and movement. The vestibular system consists of the
inner ear, the eyes, and the brain. It provides information
about the position of the head and body in space, and it
helps the body to maintain balance and equilibrium.
Vestibular integration is important for a variety of skills,
including walking, running, riding a bike, and playing
sports. It is also important for maintaining attention and
focus, and for learning.

8: Interoception: Interoceptive integration is the process

by which the brain interprets and integrates information
from the body's internal organs. This includes information
about the body's physiological state, such as heart rate,
body temperature, and hormone levels. The brain also
receives information about the body's nutritional and
energy needs, as well as the body's emotional and
motivational states. All of this information is combined to
create a coherent picture of the body's internal state.
Interoceptive integration is essential for maintaining
homeostasis, or the body's ability to regulate itself and
maintain a stable state.

Sensory integration, or sensory processing, is an

automatic neurological process that occurs throughout our
life. Sensory integration develops naturally during ordinary
childhood activities, however, for some people, it does not
develop as efficiently as it could and can affect activities of
daily living, academic achievement, behaviour or social
participation.

What is Sensory Integration Therapy?

Sensory integration therapy is designed to help children

with sensory- processing- problems cope with the
difficulties they have when processing sensory input.

It is developed in 1970 by an occupational therapist called

Dr. A. Jean Ayres.
Therapy sessions are play_ oriented and may include
using equipment such as swings, trampolines and slides.
Sensory integration (SI) therapy should be provided by a
specially trained occupational therapist (OT). The OT
determines through a thorough evaluation whether your
child would benefit from SI therapy. In traditional SI
therapy, the OT exposes a child to sensory stimulation
through repetitive activities.

Sensory integration therapy uses activities to create or

reinforce the connections between the body's sensory
system (such as the skin, nerves and hairs) and the brain.
Some children do not correctly develop sensory
processing (or integration) through normal development,
and therefore will require therapy to enable them to reach
these important developmental stages.

Examples of SI therapy:
Many of these activities can also be done at home to
reinforce OT sessions.

1. Painting with the fingers using shaving cream.

2. Exploring sensory bins filled with small objects like
plastic toys, buttons, erasers, stress balls, sponges,
and rubber tubes.
3. Texture scavenger hunt –find objects in the room that
have different textures, such as soft, sticky, or squishy
items.
4. Making clay art or playing with slime.
5. Tear pieces of paper or rip Velcro apart.
6. Rolling, sitting, or balancing on an exercise ball.
7. Jumping into a ball pit.
8. Jumping on a mini-trampoline.
9. Jumping into a pile of pillows or couch cushions.
10. Spinning in a sling.
11. Brushing hair with a soft-bristled brush.
12. Using an electric toothbrush.
13. Walking barefoot.
14. Drinking cold water.
15. Carrying weights upstairs.
16. Eating crunchy or chewy food.
17. Pushing a cart.
18. Balancing a tray with two hands.
19. Obstacle courses.
20. Heavy work and resistive activities.
21. Swings.
22. Theraputty.
Problems that may require Sensory Integration
therapy:
Below is a list of some of the common issues that may
require sensory integration therapy:

1. Sensory seeking behaviour

2. Swinging/Spinning
3. Jumping/throwing themselves around
4. Purposely hitting themselves against objects
5. Screaming/shouting/ making lots of noise
6. Sensory avoidance
7. Seeks quiet corners
8. Unlikely to engage in loud activities
9. Find noisy/bright/smelly environments overwhelming
10. Doesn't have many friends
An occupational therapist can help improve a child's ability
to regulate their senses. This would be done through a
variety of treatment options.

Other Problems include:

a. Poor balance
b. Motor difficulties
c. Different response to playground activities as other
children

The theory behind Sensory Integration is that through

completing tasks that have a high sensory involvement;
the senses, body and mind will automatically form an
interconnection and thus learn how to interpret the
responses it receives from the activity. For example
through enabling a child to play, swing, jump bounce and
a whole range of other sensory activities they learn, over
time, how to calm their sensory system (if they have an
under-active sensory response system), how to respond to
movement in space correctly (such as catching and
dodging objects) or to learn their own strength in relation
to other children and/or objects like a pencil (if children are
consistently breaking objects unintentionally).

BENEFITS OF SENSORY INTEGRATION

Sensory integration has many benefits. It helps improve
our ability to process and respond to sensory information,
which can enhance our overall functioning. Here are some
key benefits:

1. Enhances sensory processing: Sensory integration

activities can help improve how our brain processes and
interprets sensory information, making it easier to navigate
and engage with the world around us.

2. Improves focus and attention: Engaging in sensory

integration activities can help increase focus and attention
by providing sensory input that helps regulate our nervous
system.

3. Develops motor skills: Sensory integration activities

often involve movement and coordination, which can help
develop and refine motor skills like balance, coordination,
and body awareness.

4. Supports emotional regulation: Sensory integration can

have a calming and regulating effect on the nervous
system, helping to reduce stress and promote emotional
well-being.

5. Enhances social interaction: Sensory integration

activities can be done individually or in groups, providing
opportunities for social interaction, cooperation, and
shared experiences.

Remember, everyone's sensory preferences and needs

are unique, so it's important to find activities that work best
for you.

TECHNIQUES USED IN SENSORY INTEGRATION

1: PLAY-BASED ACTIVITIES : play is the primary medium
used in Sensory integration therapy. Occupational therapy
design playful activities that involve various sensory
experiences to challenge the child's sensory processing
abilities. These activities may include playing with swings,
trampolines, large balls and other equipment that provide
sensory input.

2: SWINGING AND SPINNING: swinging and spinning

activities are commonly used to provide vestibular
( balance and movement) input. These activities can help
children regulate their arousal levels and improve their
balance and co- ordination

3: DEEP PRESSURE ACTIVITIES : Deep pressure

activities,such as squeezing or wrapping the child in a
blanket, provide proprioceptive input,which helps the child
develop body awareness and calming responses.

4: BRUSHING PROTOCOL: The will berger brushing

protocol involves using a soft surgical brush to apply deep
pressure to the child's skin. This technique is believed to
reduce tactile defensiveness and improve sensory
processing.

5: WEIGHTED VESTS AND BLANKETS: Weighted vests

and blankets are used to provide deep pressure and
proprioceptive input. They can help children feel more
grounded and focused

6: THERAPEUTIC LISTENING: Therapeutic listening

involves using specially designed music to stimulate the
child's auditory system. It is believed to enhance sensory
processing and self regulation.

7: VISUAL STIMULATION : Active involves

stimulation,such as tracking moving objects or playing with
colourful lights, can help improve visual processing and
attention.

8: ORAL MOTOR ACTIVITIES : oral motor activities like

chewing or blowing bubbles can help improve oral sensory
processing and support speech and feeding skills.

9: ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS: occupational

therapist may recommend modifying the child's
environment to reduce sensory distraction or create
opportunities for sensory exploration.

10: SENSORY DIET: a Sensory diet is a personalized

plan that incorporates sensory activities throughout the
child's daily routines to meet their Sensory needs and
enhance participation in daily activities.
Conditions treated with sensory integration therapy

1: Autism spectrum disorder ( ASD)

2: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD)
3: Sensory processing disorder (SPD)
4: Learning disabilities
5: Intellectual disabilities
7: Behavioural disorders
8: Motor skill delays
9: Anxiety disorders
10: Developmental delay.

THE ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

IN SENSORY INTEGRATION.

One of the most effective treatment methods for sensory

processing disorder is sensory integration therapy.
It is performed by occupational therapists which involves
them providing vital sensory input and experiences that
will help the child to learn and develop. Sensory
integration therapy normally involves specific sensory
activities that include swinging, bouncing, spinning,
brushing,etc. and they are all aimed at helping the
individual to regulate their sensory response.
 Occupational therapists can also set up home
programmes, with or without direct treatment to assist with
reducing the symptoms of sensory processing disorder. It
is also important that the child and their parents/ care
givers are educated about sensory processing disorder
which can help them to understand the ways in which the
disorder can affect learning, social integration and motor
skills.

One treatment that occupational therapists may provide is

the willbarger brushing technique. This treatment provides
internal organization of the nervous system with tactile and
propioceptive stimuli. Each session will begin with the use
of a special sensory brush that the occupational therapists
will use to provide moderate pressure along the child's
arms, back and then legs. Following the brush strokes, a
series of joint compressions will be applied.

It is important that the occupational therapist teaches the

child's parents or caregivers on how to perform this
technique at home as this intervention required to be
performed every 90 minutes during waking hours for at
least a week result of this technique have included
improved verbal communication with the child, improved
sleep patterns and having a calming influence. Following
this week of treatment, the occupational therapist will be
able to reevaluate whether this technique is beneficial for
the child and whether they would benefit from further
sessions. Some children react to this treatment.
However, others do not like the sensations and will be
unable to tolerate it.

The OT gradually makes activities more challenging and

complex. The idea is that through repetition, your child’s
nervous system will respond in a more “organized” way to
sensations and movement.

SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY AND SENSORY

DIETS:
Many OTs now use this type of exposure as part of a more
extensive “sensory diet” treatment. It includes not only
things like balance treatments, movement therapy and
structured exposure to sensory input, but also carefully
designed and tailored physical activities and .

The routine of activities in a sensory diet fits your child’s

exact needs and schedule. They can be done at therapy
sessions and at home under your supervision. If you’re
interested in SI therapy, get specifics on how sensory
diets work and what an example sensory diet can look like
 CONCLUSION
Sensory Integration is a therapy approach that aims to
enable children to internalise and regulate their sensory
responses to the environment around them. Every activity
we do requires a high tech calibration of our senses. An
occupational therapist can improve your child's ability to
regulate their senses; this is done through an array of
treatment options that will ultimately improve function.

Occupational therapy is extremely beneficial for individual

with sensory processing disorder in helping the individual
to manage and cope in their daily activities more
effectively.
Occupational therapy also provide tailored treatment
programmes which will be tailored to the specific needs
and abilities of the individual.