Sensory Integration Flashcards
Premise of Sensory Integration Theory (and it’s founder!)
- adequate sensory processing in the nervous system plus the integration of sensory information in the brain will lead to adaptive behavior and functional abilities
- based on neuroscience, developmental psychology, occupational therapy, and education
- Jean Ayres
Definition of Sensory Integration
- the neurobiological process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and from the environment and makes it possible to use one’s body effectively with the environment.
- the spatial and temporal aspects of input from different sensory modalities are interpreted, associated, and unified.
Sensory integration is ____________ ____________ and praxis and ____________ are both end products of sensory integration
information processing, perception
Main points of sensory integration theory
- an individual’s interaction with the environment influences the development of the brain
- the nervous system is plastic (able to change)
- Sensorimotor experiences affect the brain’s plasticity
- Sensorimotor development is a part of learning.
Different types of sensory input
- Visual
- Auditory
- Tactile
- Olfactory
- Gustatory
- Vestibular (balance)
- Proprioception (position in space)
Visual input
enter the brain through the visual structures in the eyes; input is affected by levels of light and whether objects are standing still or moving
Auditory input
input that enters the brain through the auditory structures of the ear; affected by volume and sound quality
Tactile input
input enters the brain through the small nerve endings under the skin; get different feelings from texture, consistency and temperature
Olfactory input
input that enters the brain through the olfactory neurons in the nasal cavity
Gustatory
input that enters the brain through the taste buds on the tongue
Vestibular input
input that enters the brain through the structures of the inner ear
Proprioceptive input
input that enters the brain through the stretch receptors in the muscles, ligaments, and joint tissues.
Which sensory system is the foundation of all others and why?
VESTIBULAR
- it is an important element of the CNS and crucial for the development of balance, coordination, motor control of the eye, bilateral coordination, and developing confidence and trust in movement. It allows us to develop a tolerance to motion, and fundamental functions such as posture and spatial orientation are affected by the vestibular processing system.
Sensation seeking
enjoy sensory input and are constantly seeking for more within their environment
Low registration
interpret sensory input around them less (at lower intensity levels) than others, and notice less in their environment
Sensation avoiding
may appear bothered or overwhelmed by sensory input and tend to avoid these experiences as much as possible
Sensory sensitivity
detect the sensory input around them more than others, and even notice sensory input that others may miss- they have a greater awareness of input.
Signs of difficulty with the sensory system
- avoids or actively seeks out swinging, jumping, or climbing
- lack of coordination, frequent falling
- slow, cautious movement
- Easily becomes dizzy or never seems to become dizzy
- Watches moving/rotating objects (i.e. fans or clocks)
- prefers to sit during activities or has difficulty sitting still/paying attention
-Slouches, holds head up with hands, prefers lying down
Sensory processing disorder
Now an IND diagnosis- the inability to adequately process sensory information from multiple sources, resulting in maladaptive responses to the environment.
Three categories of sensory processing disorders
- Sensory modulation disorder
- over-responsive (sensitive)
- Under- responsive (slow)
- Craving (seeking) - Sensory discrimination disorder
- trouble discriminating between different senses - Sensory-based movement disorder
- dyspraxia
- postural disorders
Sensory modulation disorder
- difficulty adjusting the nervous system to changes in sensory input (frequency, intensity, duration, complexity, novelty)
3 subcategories:
- Sensory over-responsivity: Responds to sensation faster, more intensely, longer duration; sensory overload causes a sympathetic reaction; difficulty in new environments; may present as sensory defensiveness;
child’s behavior is often rigid and controlling and will depend on which sensory systems are affected
- Sensory under-responsivity: decreased awareness, orientation, and response to sensory input, requires intense sensory input to notice and therefore takes longer to respond; appear sedentary, lethargic, apathetic; mislabeled “lazy” or unmotivated; child is often quiet and passive, appears withdrawn, difficult to engage with and/or self-absorbed because they do not detect sensory input in their environment; may lead to poor body awareness, clumsiness or movements that are not graded appropriately.
- Sensory-seeking: preference for intense and extreme sensory input; impulsive, intense, highly energetic, constantly moving, careless, restless, unsafe; high pain tolerance; the child will make vocal sounds to stimulate their auditory system, play roughly with toys, prefer spicy food, spin or rock self, fidget with objects, etc.
Sensory-based Motor disorder
incorrect processing of sensory information leads to motor problems that affect POSTURAL control and/or MOTOR PLANNING (praxis)
Sensory discrimination disorder
incorrect processing of sensory input ( i.e., kiddo stares for a long time at a row of beads and then spins in a circle)- incorrect bodily response to visual input
Which disorders are often primary to sensory processing disorders (i.e. sensory processing disorder would be secondary to these)
Autism, ADHD (sensitive to visual input - distractibility-; under-responsive to auditory input; often seek vestibular and prop. input), Cerebral palsy (especially sensitive to tactile, olfactory, and gustatory input; difficulty interpreting vestibular and prop. input; may have sensory symptoms that resemble Autism), TBI (sensory issues correspond to the damaged areas of the brain), DCC (difficulty with vestibular and auditory input, sensory modulation, and difficulty integrating sensory input to perform motor tasks), Fragile X syndrome (similar to Autism), Sensory deprivation (difficulty with sensory modulation and emotional regulation
https://sensoryhealth.org/basic/subtypes-of-spd