What is Sensory Integration?
Children with sensory processing difficulties are often first recognized typically in the toddler years may behave in ways that their peers or parents find confusing. They may react strongly to loud noises or bright lights, or feel uncomfortable with tags or in clothing. They may appear clumsy, have difficulties maneuvering their body on various surfaces and climbing, or have trouble with fine motor skills, starting activities, or engaging in typical play with peers. They may also demonstrate extreme behaviors such as screaming or yelling when their touch a messy, sticky, or wet texture, having an unusually low or high pain thresh hold, crashing into walls or people, or putting inedible things into their mouths such as rocks or paint.
​
These behaviors all have a reason behind them and occur because a child is having a difficult time processing the information that they have received from their senses. Children often feel overwhelmed by these sensations therefore react with an overwhelming response. In addition to our typical 5 sense, there are also two internal senses which we utilize everyday and are vestibular and proprioceptive processing. In Sensory integration there are many various sensory profiles but some basic background is that a child may be oversensitive or under sensitive to various stimuli, and may seek or avoid activities based on these characterizations. Additionally, sensory integration and processing is what helps children and adults maintain a calm state when surrounded by constant stimulation. If a child has difficulties with SI, many times self-regulation is difficult and frequent outbursts can be seen.
​
Below is a brief overview of some basic concepts of Sensory Integration
​
​
