Sensory Modulation Flashcards
Sensory processing issues are common in children with these diagnoses: (8)
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Fragile X
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Anxiety Disorder
- History of Institutionalization, Abuse/Neglect
- No other diagnosable condition?
What is sensory modulation?
The ability to regulate and organize reactions to sensory input in a graded and adaptive manner.
Requires: balancing of excitatory and inhibitory inputs and adaptation to environmental change.
You can observe the process of sensory modulation. True or false?
False. You can observe the behavioral response and draw conclusions from that, but the process itself is neurological and physiological and cannot be observed.
Threshold
the point at which stimulus is great enough to produce an effect (differs from person to person)
Arousal interacts with threshold
How do habituation and sensitization relate to SMD?
SMD has been theorized to be a sustained imbalance between habituation and sensitization. In other words, the person is continually vascillating between habituating to (and ignoring) a stimulus, and perceiving as unfamiliar (and possibly harmful) a stimulus (so over-responding).
What is sensory over-reponsiveness? (SOR)
low threshold = quick response
“fight or flight” (SNS) reaction gets activated
linked to poor limbic/reticular system processing (emotional response gets attached to sensory info)
may fail to fully participate in normal occupations
may be hypervigilant, passive, or controlling
*lack of play and exploration leads to motor and play skill delays
Common SOR symptoms:
tags / seams drive them crazy
won’t walk barefoot
picky eaters; over-active gag reflex to tastes and smells
covers ears in response to normal sounds (toilet, vacuum)
overwhelmed in large public spaces
distressed during grooming (need to address this because function)
Gravitational insecurity:
fear of movement, being out of “upright” or having one’s feet off ground
reactions out of proportion to actual danger
hypothesis: deficit in otolith (vestib.) function
SOR - associated problems:
Anxiety
Repetitive behaviors
Sleep Problems
Approaches to TX for SMD:
- Consider how you can change the child’s NS (Si theory, developmental plasticity)
- Consider how you can modify child’s routines/behaviors (SI theory, cognitive strategies)
- Consider how you can change child’s environment
- Parent ed. and coaching
Tx strategies for SOR:
Activate Proprioceptors: (Heavy work like moving or carrying thing; sucking on hard candy, chewing, crunching; jump, run, hop, push-ups)
Deep pressure touch, desensitization approaches (e.g. brushing*, massage)
Work on one system at a time, reduce demands and stress on the system in other areas; adjust things so they can focus.
Environmental modifications (dim lights, limit clutter, decrease background noise, calm music) - to lower state of arousal.
Graded challenges during meaningful activity.
What is SUR, and how does it present?
High Threshold, Low Registration
Requires more intense input to respond, or more time to respond (latency of response)
– Slow to react to pain
– Lack of orienting to loud sounds
Limited awareness and lack of exploration
Passive or slow to take action: “Bystanders”
Tx strategies for SUR:
If they are low arousal we need activities to wake up the body:
– Swinging, bouncing, joint traction, fast rocking
– Light touch, vibration, hot/cold
– Fast Music
– Strong Tastes (sour heads, fire balls)
– Bright lights or colors
*be ready to “slow engine down” if they become over-aroused (narrow zone of optimal arousal)
Tx strategies for sensory seekers:
Problem solve, what are they seeking and why?
– Help them get this input in a safe, purposeful, and appropriate manner.
– Help them learn to get to and stay in optimal zone of arousal.
- ALERT program\
What is a good sense to start tx with?
Prop. Most kids aren’t overly reactive in either direction to prop. It tends to be organizing for most.
