Sensory Integration Theory

Question 1

What are the seven main senses?

Answer 1

• Visual
• Auditory
• Olfactory
• Gustatory
• Tactile
• Vestibular
• Proprioceptive

Question 2

What is the difference between the vestibular and proprioceptive senses?

Answer 2

Vestibular: a person’s response to gravity and detection of movement and head position in space.
Proprioceptive: Feedback from muscles, tendons and joints about movements and limb positions.

Question 3

What is sensory integration?

Answer 3

The process of organising input from our sensory systems and environment so that we can appropriately interact with our environment

Question 4

What parts of the brain are involved in SI and how?

Answer 4

Brainstem: Thalamus, vestibular nuclei and reticular formation.

Limbic system: Fight or flight, emotions and arousal.

Cerebellum: Processing input related to gravity and movement

Cortex: Praxis/motor planning and ideation

Question 5

What are the four steps involved in SI?

Answer 5

1. Receive information from one or more system.
2. Register that it is there.
3. Sort which stimuli are important and what we can ignore.
4. Make an adaptive response/appropriate action to the relevant input.

Question 6

What is sensory integration dysfunction?

Answer 6

It occurs when the brain is not able to organise or efficiently comprehend sensory information

Question 7

What are the three main areas that sensory integration dysfunction occurs?

Answer 7

1. Sensory modulation difficulties.
2. Sensory discrimination difficulties.
3. Sensory motor difficulties.

Question 8

What does sensory modulation impact on?

Answer 8

Arousal

Question 9

What is sensory modulation?

Answer 9

The processing of information in the CNS that allows us to know what is important to focus on and what isn’t.

Question 10

What is arousal?

Answer 10

How alert a person feels.

It impacts on attention and emotional regulation.

Question 11

Describe a child’s optimal arousal zone

Answer 11

The child is calm, their behaviour is organised and they can take in new info, think and interact with others.

Question 12

What does Dunn’s Sensory model propose?

Answer 12

That there is a relationship between neurological threshold and behavioural response.

Question 13

What is a nervous system threshold?

Answer 13

The point at which there is enough sensory input to cause a nerve cell or system to activate.

Question 14

Describe a low threshold

Answer 14

A person will notice and respond to lot’s of stimuli as their system is sensitive and easily activated.

Question 15

Describe a high threshold

Answer 15

A person will miss stimuli because their system needs stronger stimuli to be activated.

Question 16

What are the two types of behavioural responses to stimuli?

Answer 16

Passive: A person does nothing to modify the input.
Active: A person acts to avoid or obtain, or increase or decrease the sensory input.

Question 17

According to Dunn’s model, describe the “registration/bystander” child

Answer 17

Passive behavioural response
Decreased sensitivity (high threshold)

• “zoned out”
• Requires stronger input but does nothing to abstain it.
• Appears uninterested and like they have low energy.

Question 18

According to Dunn’s model, describe the “seeking” child

Answer 18

Active behavioural response
Decreased sensitivity (high threshold)

• “active/disruptive child”
• Actively seeks input
• Explores the environment and can be disruptive

Question 19

According to Dunn’s model, describe the “sensitivity/sensor” child

Answer 19

Passive behavioural response
Increased sensitivity (low threshold)

• “distractible child”
• Takes in alot of input but does nothing to control or stop it.
• May appear cautious ad easily upset

Question 20

According to Dunn’s model, describe the “avoiding/avoider” child

Answer 20

Active behavioural response
Increased sensitivity (low threshold)

• “difficult child”
• Takes in alot of input, but tries to escape/control it
• Upset by change and seeks environments with minimal sensory input

Question 21

What are the three approaches based on sensory integration theory?

Answer 21

1. Golden - Sensory based strategies (Ashburner model)
2. Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy
3. Sensory stimulation protocols

Question 22

What are the two aims of sensory based intervention (Ashburner’s model)?

Answer 22

1. To improve PEO fit, enhance attention and arousal and improve participation.
2. To provide sensory input from daily routine to improve motor control.

It is important to be clear what aim you are working towards with a child, sometimes it can both. Just be clear about it.

Question 23

What is special about proprioceptive input?

Answer 23

It works to regulate and arouse people.

Question 24

Why is it important to information share?

Answer 24

• Supports parents and teachers to understand what sensory integration is and how this may be impacting a child’s behaviour.
• Helps parents understand their own sensory patterns.

Question 25

What are four aims of sensory-based interventions?

Answer 25

• Use sensory strategies to improve performance and participation (taking a top down approach).
• Assist caregivers to understand the sensory contribution to a child’s behaviour.
• Maintain an optimal level of arousal for learning.
• Learn self-regulation strategies.