What is Sensory Integration
Sensory Integration is the information sent to our brains from each of our senses; movement, touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell, is processed. Our brain tells us how that feels, what it looks like, what it sounds like, or how that tastes, and smells. Our brains perceive sensory information, process it, and reports back to us what is happening.
Think about how sensory information works for you. For example, what happens when you grab a hot pan out of the oven without an oven mit? Ouch, right? The nerves send the signal to your brain, brain thinks about it, and lets you know the pan is hot. Don't do that again! That is sensory integration working at its finest.
Try more. Taste an apple that is crunchy and sweet. Step over a glass bottle that you see on the sidewalk. Hear the normal sounds of your house, the clock ticking, the ceiling fan blowing, the dishwasher going and ignore it. Sit in a crowded restaurant and talk to your family, paying no attention to the other voices around you. This is all normal processing of sensory integration.
Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Sensory Integration Dysfunction (also known as Sensory Processing Disorder) occurs when this process is not working like it should. Think again about the above examples. You touch a hot pan, and it does not feel hot, so you don't know you are being burned. Your apple tastes bitter and is rough like gravel. You try to step over the bottle on the sidewalk, but you lose your balance and fall down. You hear all the sounds of your house. The clock sounds like an elephant stomping, the ceiling fan sounds like a tornado blowing and the dishwasher is as loud as a freight train. You can't stand restaurants because you hear everyone talking, the clatter of silverware, and people are moving all around you. You are unable to concentrate on anything. You hate crowds with all the bumping, and shouting and all those smells make you feel sick.
THIS is dysfunction. The brain is not processing the information from the senses in an efficient manner. Imagine brushing your hair with a brush made out of glass shards, scraping across your scalp. Someone touches your arm, and it feels scorched. Imagine the fabric of your shirt prickling so much, you want to scream and rip it off. This is it.
Sensory Integration Dysfunction has many symptoms, all originating with the senses. Too much or not enough is the general rule. This disorder interferes with the normal living and learning in daily life.
Physical Therapy can help!
It is very important to help your child if he or she is having difficulty with sensory processing. In treatment we will develop a plan to help your child reduce symptoms of sensory dysfunction. Check out our Forms for Sensory Integration Check List for your child!