Lecture 3 Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Flashcards
What is Neurodiversity
The natural diversity of human brains
The fact that all human beings vary in the way our brains work
- Takes information in different ways
-Process it in different ways
- Thus behave in different ways
What are the 4 components of the Neurodiversity Paradigm
1) Neurodiversity is naturally occurring
2) No one way of being is better than another
3) Neurodiversity operates like other equality and diversity dimensions
4) Strength in diversity itself- collective, not individual, value
Define Neurodivergent
A person whose brain functioning differs from what is considered “normal”
Define Neurotypical
A person whose brain functioning is considered “normal”
Define Neurodiverse
A group of people with different types of brains
What is Dun’s Model of Sensory Processing (2007)
- Sensory processing = Refers to the way the nervous system responds to sensory stimuli from the environment
- Sensory Modulation- Refers to how one regulates in response to sensory stimulation
- Sensory discrimination essentially references the ability to accurately distinguish and differentiate different sensory stimuli
What does High threshold reference in Dunn’s model
Needs a lot of simulation in order for their nervous system to get active and engaged
What does Low threshold reference in Dunn’s Model
Does not need a lot of stimulation to get the nervous system reacting.
What does High-Passive considered in Dunn’s model
Hyporactive- Low registration
What is Low-Passive in Dunn’s model
Hyper-reactive- Sensory Sensitive
What is High-Active in Dunn’s Model
SEnsory Seeking
What is Low-Active in Dunn’s Model
Sensory Avoiding
What are Vestibular Structures
Within the inner ear, it detects movement and changes in the position of the head. Processes information about movement, gravity, and balance.
What are Proprioceptive-Components
Muscles, joints, and tendons provide awareness of body position. Processes information about body position and body parts.
Why is it important that the sensory systems function in an integrated fashion.
If the systems cannot function efficiently, separately or together, it affects a child’s ability to interact successfully with his or her surrounding environment. This impacts their ability to be successful in many areas, especially interpersonally and academically.
Dunn’s: Sensory Processing
Refers to the way the nervous systems responds to sensory stimuli from the environment
Dunn’s: Sensory Modulation
Refers to how one regulates in response to sensory stimulation
Dunn’s: Sensory Discrimination
Essentially references the ability to accurately distinguish and differentiate different sensory stimuli
Sensory-Based Motor Skills
The motor responses/ behaviors/ actions that occur in response to sensory stimuli
Sensory-Processing Patterns
Individuals unique sensory processing patterns, which may be related to their sensory modulation, sensory discrimination, and sensory-based motor skills
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
A condition where an individual’s sensory processing is atypical, causing difficulties in daily life. It can manifest as hypersensitivity, hyposensitivity, or sensory-seeking behaviors
Sensory Integration
The organization of sensation from the body and the environment for use
The Sensory System (From Five to Eight)
1) Tactile- Nerves underneath the surface of the skin register sensation and send messages to the brain.
2) Taste
3) Smell
4) Sight
5) Sound
6) Proprioception
7) Vestibular Functioning
8) Interoception
What is Proprioceptive
Components of muscles, joints, and tendons that provide awareness of body position.
Processes information about body position and body parts
What is an important point to remember about the sensory system
It is not only critical that each sensory system operates well but that these symptoms function in an integrated way.
If the systems cannot function efficiently, separately or together, it affects a child’s ability to interact successfully with their environment. This can impact their ability to be successful in many areas.
Interoception
- The sense of the internal state of the body that is both conscious and unconscious.
- It is central to basically everything, including sense of self, thought, emotion, and most critically self regulation
Attributes of the Stimulus: Modality
The stimulus tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, visual auditory (Stimuli can be multimodal!)
Attributes of the Stimulus: Intensity
Not all input has the same intensity (Shouting vs. whispering, but both are auditory)
Attributes of the Stimulus: Duration
Initial contact and how long effect lasts in system (Visual and Vestibular input)
Attributes of the Stimulus: Location
Where sensory input was received. (The difference between light touch on the face vs. the hand)
Sensory Co-Morbid Problems
-ADHD: the child’s unusual responses to being touched or touching/ being moved
-Down Syndrome
-Fragile X
-Poor eating habits
-Poor motor planning
Symptoms of Dysfunction in the Tactile System
-Avoiding touching/ craving touch
-Food/Clothing preferences
-Aversion/ craving to washing, brushing teeth, combing hair, clipping nails
-Using fingertips rather than the whole hand/ using only the hand
-Hypo/hypersensitive to pain
Vestibular System: Hypersensitivity
-Fearful of ordinary movement activities (Swings, slides, ramps, stairs)
-Fearful of uneven or unstable surfaces
-Clumsy in appearance
-Generally fearful
Vestibular System: Hyposensitivity
-Actively seeks out very intense sensory experiences (jumping, spinning, crashing)
Dysfunction Symptoms in the Proprioceptive System
-Clumsiness/accident prone
-Tendency to fall
-Lack of awareness (hunger, thirst, elimination)
-Difficulties with body awareness (Where the body is in space)
- Odd body posturing
-Difficulty manipulating small objects
-Difficulties with motor planning
What is Hyperreactive Sensitivity in children
Children tend to have a sympathetic nervous system bias. Their behavior is characterized by high arousal, an inability to focus attention, negative affect, and impulsive or defensive action.
What happens to hyperactive children
These children may engage in some sensory-based activities they find organizing in an attempt to manage their hyperactivities. This may include pressure touch, heavy work, or physical exercise
-Often described as insecure
-Often labeled tactile, visually, or sensory defensive
Sensory Avoiders
They try to manage sympathetic nervous system bias by withdrawing from excitatory input. These protective reactions help them modulate their arousal, but attention is often hyper-vigilant as they attempt to avoid sensory overload
Hyporeactive
Children tend to have a parasympathetic nervous system bias. Their state of arousal is usually decreased. There is a prolonged latency in maintaining focused attention
Sensory Seekers
Children try to manage the parasympathetic nervous system bias by actively pursuing excitatory sensory input. The least common regulatory response
Instruments used for Direct Clinical Observation of Children
Test of sensory Function in Infants (4-18 months)
De-Gangi Berk Test of Sensory Integration
The Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) (4 to 9 years of age).
