In order to understand sensory integration we first have to know how sensory processing works!
Sensory Processing: This is our ability to understand our body’s sensations and respond to them appropriately. When we experience a sensation, nerve pulses are sent up to our brain. Our brain then works to process the sensation we are experiencing so we can respond to it, and our brain then sends information on how to respond out to our body.
Sensory Integration: When we receive information through our senses our brain organizes this information and then we can then utilize this information to interact and respond to our sensations.
Why is this is important?
- When our brain struggles to organize all the sensory information coming in it results in sensory integration disorders
- This means our sensations may not be perceived, interpreted accurately, or processed efficiently by the brain
How Can Occupational Therapy Help?
Evaluation:
- We can look at how your child is learning and participating in school
- We can assess how are they interacting with their environment
Provide sensory-based interventions:
- We will look at how a child’s environment affects them (i.e. does it limit their participation in school?)
- We will educate the child’s teacher about modifications to the classroom that can help
Understanding our sensations helps us to understand ourselves and our kids!
