lecture six: sensory processing and integration as a foundation for human function Flashcards
the sensory system consists of _______ areas
- seven (eight if you include interoception)
- they work in a continuous feedback loop to regulate and make sense of sensory info in order to function
ayres described sensory integration as…
“the brain’s ability to organize sensory input for use in functional behaviors”
deficits in sensory integration lie in _________, ___________, and _______________ to sensory information
perception; organization; coordinated response
T/F motor skills develop independently of sensory experiences and perception
False (motor skills do not develop independently of sensory experiences and perception)
sensory perceptions have connections with _________ and the ____________ causing poor emotional regulation, stress, anxiety, and poor self-esteem
emotion (limbic system); autonomic nervous system
sensory processing and sensory integration as part of human function
- sensory based interventions vs sensory integration framework
- sensory based interventions —> ones that address individual deficits in individual sensory systems
- sensory integration framework —> a way of assessing someone and their deficits
- whole person (sensory drives motor, cannot separate)
- sensory integration and processing as a system vs dysfunction and treatment strategy (wellness vs medical model)
- not necessarily about deficits but rather function and normalcy and how we all develop/function in this world
- applicable to all populations and ages
- relevant to clinicians as well
Jean Ayres originated the theory of sensory integration to explain…
the relationship between deficits in interpreting sensation from the body and the environment and difficulties with academic or motor learning
proprioception
- information provided by joints and muscles which keeps people oriented to body position in space
- both conscious (complex motor activity) and subconscious (basic postures)
- poor body awareness can result in
- clumsiness
- difficulty with posture (leaning)
- use of too much or little pressure
- may result in “sensory seeking” behaviors
- crashing
- excessive roughness
- sensory avoidance
- unable to predict others’ behavior
sensory drives motor
sensory —> motor —> social —> behavior
sensory processing disorder (SPD)
- three branches
- sensory modulation disorder (SMD)
- SOR (sensory over responsivity)
- SUR (sensory under responsivity)
- SS (sensory seeking/craving)
- sensory based motor disorder (SBMD)
- dyspraxia
- postural disorders
- sensory discrimination disorder (SDD)
- visual
- auditory
- tactile
- taste/smell
- position/movement
- sensory modulation disorder (SMD)
vestibular
- movement processing tells you whether the body is moving and in what direction
- operates within the ear and in conjunction with vision (vestibulo-ocular reflex)
- role in generating our general muscle tone (vestibular spinal tract)
- difficulties in processing vestibular info can result in
- low muscle tone
- poor balance
- improper reactions to movements
- toe walking
- decreased trunk rotation
- lack of visual scanning
- sedentary (avoidance of activities)
tactile
- ability to discriminate touch through skin
- includes ability to conform to objects and pressure (dorsal column medial leminiscal tract)
- children with poor tactile discrimination
- can have difficulty with fine motor skills including handwriting
- might avoid certain textures of food, clothing, surfaces, etc.
- may be hypersensitive to unexpected touch
vision
- eyes and brain work in tandem to perceive and separate objects from the background
- works in coordination with vestibular system to orient to movement in environment and maintain focus during our movement
- influences hand-eye coordination, visual spatial orientation, and visual motor skills
- has a role in the development of visual imagery and mental manipulation
- children with visual difficulties may
- be sensitive to sunlight
- avoid visual attention
- hesitate to go on stairs or playground equipment
auditory
- discriminates sounds in the environment
- connection with the limbic system
- difficulties may result in
- a negative response to unexpected or loud noises
- difficulty focusing with background noise
- auditory inattentiveness
- overstimulation
- a child who pays attention to every noise and is unable to habituate
taste and smell
- hypersensitivity to tastes and smells can create a range of feeding difficulties
- olfactory receptors are directly connected to the limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus)
- individuals might avoid certain places or even people due to their perception of or associations with smell but may not even know why
