|
Home : Diagnosis
: Sensory
Integration
Sensory Integration
 "What
is Sensory Integration Dysfunction? Does it affect learning? Can the
symptoms (if not recognized) cause what appears to be a behaviorally defiant
child? These are just some of the questions we had to explore".
Nana's definition
Sensory Integration Dysfunction can affect
all the senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell). The way I understand
it , the senses are
extremely acute or non-existent sporadically. Some children crash into
everything and "it doesn't hurt". They may be light sensitive and
"need sunglasses", they
may cover their ears frequently but "love to make noise", they may
love to touch everything and everyone, but say "it hurts" when others
touch them, they may prefer or refuse certain tastes and/or textures, they may
chew on inedible objects such as pens and shirts, they may say "something
smells bad" when Nana's cooking, but they may love the smell of new shoes, cat's fur
and butterfly wings. Source: Nana observing my grandson
A technical definition
If the sensory input is not processed and organized
accurately, the result is abnormal motor output with abnormal feedback. Many
atypical behaviors observed in children can be better understood when the
effects of a disorganized central nervous system are taken into consideration.
Without an efficient nervous system, we are unable to interact comfortably with
the world around us. Source: www.dispraxia.com
(note:
their website is no longer active)
Symptoms
Symptoms include: Over
sensitivity to touch, movement, sights, or
sounds. Under-reactive to sensory stimulation (body
whirling or crashing). Activity level that is unusually high or
unusually low. Coordination problems (poor balance or motor
coordination). Delays in Speech, language, motor skills, or
academic achievement. Poor organization of behavior (impulsive,
distractible, frustrated, aggressive). Poor self concept (may appear lazy, bored, or
unmotivated). Source: various websites (below). The symptoms
mimic those of ADD/ADHD so be cautious when developing your treatment
plan.
Does it affect
learning?
I can't imagine a case of
untreated SI that doesn't interfere with a child's education. If the child is
distracted and annoyed by sounds, sights, movement (or lack of), touch, smells
and tastes (among other sensations) how could these irritants not interfere with
his/her education???? Is this possible?
Try
this: Turn on the radio, but don't tune it. Leave it on static and fuzz. Turn it
up. Ask someone to turn the
lights on and off, at will. Strap yourself into a broken chair that is missing a
leg and use a table that is off balance - you know the ones in restaurants that
makes us all so mad. Now, put on some scratchy lace in place of a comfy T-shirt,
put your pants on backwards and wear shoes one size too small.
Pour a bowl of grated parmesan cheese, open a can of sardines and bring
the cat box to the table. Now, snack on your least favorite food; the one you
NEVER eat because it comes with a gag reflex. With all this in place, pick up a
new book and learn something new! How can anyone claim that SI problems don't
interfere with education??
Source: gigli.tripod.com/stories/j.htm
For more information, please visit:
A
web community
Provides information and support for parents of children
who have Sensory Integration Disorder http://groups.msn.com/SensoryIntegration
Children’s
Disabilities Information
www.childrensdisabilities.info/sensory_integration/
Lighthouse
Project - Definition of Sensory Terms
www.thelighthouseproject.com/Definitions_of_sensory_terms.html
List
of websites on Sensory Integration Dysfunction
webster.directhit.com/webster/search.aspx?qry=sensory
New
Horizons For Learning
www.newhorizons.org/spneeds/adhd/nicholls.htm
Publications
www.theraproducts.com/index/page-catalog/main-7762/sub-7790/
School
Behavior.com
www.schoolbehavior.com/conditions_sensory.htm
Sensory
Integration Exercises
www.keystoneblind.org/kidsclub/exercises/
Sensory
Integration Disorder - by Harriet McCarthy
www.adoption-research.org/sid.html
Sensory
Integrative Dysfunction in Young Children
www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall97/sensory.htm
Sensory
Integration International (SII)
A non-profit, tax-exempt corporation concerned with the impact of sensory
integrative problems on people's lives. They bring together professionals,
individuals, families, and researchers about sensory integration.
You can access their FAQ pages here.
Sensory
Integration Therapy
www.sinetwork.org/articles/sitherapy.pdf
Sensory Integration
vs. Learning Problems/Classroom
Performance
www.nmark.com/si/
Sensory
Resources
www.sensoryresources.com/
Symptoms
of Sensory Integration Dysfunction
http://coco.essortment.com/sensorydisorder_rhky.htm
|
