Week 3 - Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Challenges

Question 1

How is the CNS organized?

Answer 1

hierarchically organized (cortex relies on input from lower brain centers)

Question 2

Name the 8 sensory systems.

Answer 2

1. touch (tactile)
2. taste (gustatory)
3. smell (olfactory)
4. sight (visual)
5. hearing (auditory)
6. body perception (proprioceptive)
7. head position and movement (vestibular)
8. interoception

Question 3

interoception

Answer 3

the sense of knowing what is going on inside our bodies.

Question 4

What is the role of our senses?

Answer 4

our brains specialize in sorting and interpreting sensory info and then generating responses to that sensory info.

Question 5

the neurological process that organizes sensations from one’s body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively in the environment.

Answer 5

sensory integration

Question 6

sensory integration leads to what?

Answer 6

an adaptive response

Question 7

refers to one or more of the actions below: filtering, registering, sorting, organizing, comparing, storing of sensory info that comes from different sensory receptors. occurs in the brain (cortex, brainstem). may or may not lead to a response.

Answer 7

sensory processing

Question 8

appropriate action in which the individual responds successfully to some environmental demand. the stimuli elicits an appropriate response.

Answer 8

adaptive response

Question 9

inappropriate reaction; irrelevant, disproportionate to stimuli (extreme or minimal/no reaction) the stimuli elicits no response.

Answer 9

maladaptive response

Question 10

the child’s individual ability to respond adaptively to sensations over a broad range of intensity and duration; complex process of filtering perceived sensory info and regulating the response.

Answer 10

sensory modulation

Question 11

the ability to sustain homeostasis (optimal level of arousal) over time in order to remain engaged, focused, efficient. the ability to stay even-keeled across time no matter what’s happening.

Answer 11

sensory (self) regulation

Question 12

the individual resources that direct successful behavior such as cognitive skills, emotion regulation, sensory and physiological stress responses, social and environmental factors

Answer 12

regulatory capital

Question 13

the cortical reception of the stimulus. limbic system modulates and registers sensory input, while cortex actually perceives stimulus

Answer 13

registration

Question 14

determined by the level of thalamic activation by the reticular formation. the level determines the magnitude of the sensory input from thalamus to the sensory cortex.

Answer 14

arousal

Question 15

the motor output required to appropriately respond to the stimuli. initiated by motor cortex with input from the basal ganglia and cerebellum.

Answer 15

stimulus response

Question 16

ability to remain oriented to a stimulus. depends on level of arousal and registration as well as the ability to filter (inhibit) unnecessary stimuli.

Answer 16

attention

Question 17

a condition that exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses. prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the info needed to interpret sensory info correctly.

Answer 17

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

Question 18

What % of the general population has SPD?

Answer 18

10-12%

Question 19

What % of the school-aged population has SPD?

Answer 19

5%

Question 20

According to Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing, which condition of SPD has a high threshold and passive response?

Answer 20

Low registration - Sensory Under-Responsivity (SUR)

Question 21

According to Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing, which condition of SPD has a high threshold and active reponse?

Answer 21

Sensory Seeking (SS)

Question 22

According to Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing, which condition of SPD has a low threshold and passive response?

Answer 22

Sensory sensitivity (not frequent)

Question 23

According to Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing, which condition of SPD has a low threshold and active response?

Answer 23

Sensory avoiding (SOR)

Question 24

Name 4 sensory based motor disorders.

Answer 24

• poor fine and gross motor skills.
• dyspraxia (somatosensory based)
• Postural Ocular Movement Disorders (vestibular based)
• Bilateral integration and sequencing deficits (vestibular based)

Question 25

• respond too intensely or too easily
• response to non noxious stimuli is a fear response: fright, flight, fight, freeze
• associated with anxiety, hyper vigilance, hyperactivity, aggression, withdrawal
• interferes with engagement in occupations
• resistant to change, non-adaptable
• difficulty focusing or attending
• limited variety of social responses
• sensory defensiveness, tactile defensiveness, hypersensitivity

Answer 25

Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR)

Question 26

• insatiable desire for sensory stimulation
• appear hyperactive, impulsive, constantly on the move, fidgeting
• unawareness of touch or pain, touch others too hard or too often - may appear aggressive
• lack of safety awareness while seeking out sensation
• provide self with extra sensory input from “all channels”
• very negative, resistant, “bored” if unable to engage in sensory activities.
• hyposensitivity, low registration

Answer 26

Sensory Under-Responsivity (SUR)

Question 27

Describe interoception system challenges.

Answer 27

• When experiencing interoceptive signals that are so strong, people become overwhelmed and confused.
• Experiencing dulled or muted interoception signals, makes people unable to respond to emotions until they reach a fever pitch.
• common in ASD, trauma disorders, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, depression and behavioral challenges.

Question 28

Name the 4 A’s that indicate targeted changes in behavior.

Answer 28

• Attention
• Activity Level (Arousal)
• Adaptation to change/organization
• Affect (Emotional responsivity)

Question 29

a gradual process of regulating sensory systems evolving from passive participation towards active self-determination. should be an active, dynamic constantly changing process incorporated in the child’s daily routines.

Answer 29

sensory diet

Question 30

How is the intensity of sensory stimulation is measured?

Answer 30

frequency x duration = intensity

Question 31

Name the 3 proximal senses. *

Answer 31

1. touch - vibration, massage, hugs, pressure, light touch, messy play, deep pressure
2. vestibular - linear and rotary head movement, suspended or non-suspended equipment
3. proprioception - experiences where muscle tension and stretch sensations are the dominant input.. pulling, pushing, carrying heavy objects, hanging on equipment

Question 32

Describe the use of touch, movement, and proprioception to cause inhibition (calm).

Answer 32

• rhythmical
• sustained
• slow
• expected

Question 33

Describe the use of touch, movement, and proprioception to cause facilitation (excitatory).

Answer 33

• arrthymic
• uneven
• rapid
• unexpected

Question 34

Name 3 aspects of the environment that can affect a student’s sensory system.

Answer 34

• lighting in the room
• noises in the room
• odors

Question 35

Name 5 environmental adaptation for a classroom.

Answer 35

• “quiet space”
• alternative seating - bean bags, carpet squares, wedges, etc.
• standing as an alternative to seated work.
• dimming lights
• playing music (during transitions)

Question 36

an area in the classroom (or school) where an individual can escape stress. should be quiet with few visuals or distractions. activities that occur here should be individualized to ensure that they regulate appropriately.

Answer 36

break area