Sensory integration and treatment

Question 1

What is sensory integration?

Answer 1

It describes the process by which the brain takes in and synthesizes information from all senses. Disruptions in this process results in observable deficits like behavior and motor skills.

Question 2

Sensory integration plays a role in what 3 groups of development?

Answer 2

1. Coordination of movements (motor planning and balance)
2. Discrimination (where am i being touched, texture differences)
3. Modulation (incoming information and response/motor output)

Question 3

Generation of responses that are graded in relation to the intensity of incoming sensations and the context of the situation is known as what?

Answer 3

Sensory Modulation

Question 4

Sensory Modulation helps us with what?

Answer 4

• Pay attention to important stimulus/screen out non important stimuli.
• Shift attention
• Slows us down and relaxes us or gets us moving
• Helps us avoid unpleasant experiences

Question 5

If a person has low threshold for sensory modulation, describe what characteristics they would have.

Answer 5

Low threshold kids will have increased sensitivity, will be hyper responsive, and will AVOID sensory.

Question 6

What would a person with high threshold present with?

Answer 6

A person with High threshold will have decreased sensitivity, be hypo responsive, and will seek out more sensory.

Question 7

What would be an example of an atypical response due to hypersensitivity?

Answer 7

They perceive a light touch as threatening, hit or push someone, or demonstrates a reflexive response to the perceived danger.

Question 8

Describe what a hyposensitive person would present with.

Answer 8

They don’t notice someone tapping on them, yelling their name, or get sick spinning nonstop in circles.

Question 9

Describe characteristics of Gustatory dysfunction.

Answer 9

• Strong objection to certain textures and temperatures of foods
• May gag with eating
• Lick or tastes objects
• May prefer spicy foods or very hot food

Question 10

Characteristics of Olfactory dysfunction.

Answer 10

Overresponsiveness to smells and odors that other children don’t notice. Like a banana.
-Or they don’t notice smells like stinky poop.

Question 11

What are some visual deficits?

Answer 11

• Poor adjustment to moving objects
• tracking and gaze stability (diff. reading, turns head with eye mvmt)
• Visual-auditory integration (problems with sound and visual location)
• Volitional scanning- poor eye control
• Poor visual discrimination (inability to recognize)
• Difficulty with boundaries (in ppls personal space)

Question 12

Briefly describe and give an example of poor modulation.

Answer 12

They speak too loud or too soft, and/or are hyperresponsive to to sounds.
-they get upset w/ loud music, cover their ears, or make own noises to tune out other sounds.

Question 13

Tactile Dysfunction hypersensitivity includes what characteristics?

Answer 13

Not like to be hugged
-extreme reactions to light  touch
-dislike being messy
Clothes bother them
-avoid finger foods
-dislike bathing, brushing teeth, getting hair cut

Question 14

Characteristics of Proprioception dysfunction

Answer 14

• almost always under responsive
• may have diff. buttoning
• pull/push too hard
• Rely heavily on visual input
• Are clumsy
• Have poor awareness of others/boundaries
• Seek out input by jumping or slamming feet while walking.

Question 15

Swinging, sliding, and climbing are examples of what sensory system?

Answer 15

Vestibular input and Gravitational Security

Question 16

What is Gravitational Security?

Answer 16

Provides us with a sense of trust about our body’s position and sense of safety about moving through our environment.

Question 17

If a child seeks out swinging and wants to do it longer and faster they may be underresponsive in which system?

Answer 17

Vestibular system. They have a high threshold for sensory input, so they seek it out.

Question 18

Characteristics of underresponsive vestibular system include?

Answer 18

• Lack of or short postrotary nystagmus
• Poor posture, slouches
• Lack of dizziness and poor safety awareness and impulsive control
• Inefficient development of skills and poor bilateral integration

Question 19

The Overresponsive vestibular system may present with?

Answer 19

• Low threshold for vestibular input
• Avoids movement
• Has motion sickness
• doesn’t like head inverted
• Strong need for physical support.
• Extreme emotional response (Gravitational insecurity)

Question 20

What is Gravitational Insecurity?

Answer 20

• Feel the safest with both feet on the ground
• Fear is not rational for the event
• Afraid of heights, elevators, escalators, stairs
• Dislikes roughhousing, rolling, and summersaulting