Sensory integration refers to the process in which the brain receives, interprets, and organizes information from the eight senses: vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell, vestibular (movement and balance), proprioception (body awareness), and interoception (internal body signals). This process helps with movement coordination, skill development, emotional regulation, and responding to the environment. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) occurs when sensory integration is disrupted, leading to oversensitivity, under-sensitivity, or sensory-seeking behaviors. Mind Body Child therapists help improve your child’s sensory processing skills through engaging activities, promoting improved organization of neural functioning, and response to sensory input to interpret sensory input more effectively.

Benefits Of Good Sensory Integration:

• Strong motor skills (coordination, balance)
• Focus and attention
• Emotional regulation
• Social interaction skills
• Learning and development

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD):

When the brain struggles to integrate sensory information, it can lead to a condition called sensory processing disorder (SPD). People with SPD may have difficulty interpreting or responding to sensory information in a typical way. They may be oversensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive) to certain sensory inputs, or they may crave intense stimulation (sensory seeking).

Sensory Integration Therapy:

Sensory integration therapy is a type of therapy designed to help individuals improve their sensory processing skills. It often involves activities that engage different senses and help the brain learn to organize and interpret sensory information more effectively.

Key points about SPD:

• Brain Processing: In SPD, the brain struggles to organize and interpret sensory signals, leading to challenges with responding appropriately.
• Sensory Sensitivities: People with SPD can be oversensitive (hypersensitive) or under-sensitive (hyposensitive) to certain sensory inputs. They may also crave intense stimulation (sensory seeking).
• Spectrum Of Effects: SPD can affect one or multiple senses, and the severity can vary greatly from person to person.

Signs and Symptoms of SPD:

• Oversensitivity (Hypersensitivity): Reacting strongly to loud noises, bright lights, certain textures (clothing tags), strong smells, or tastes. May find crowds overwhelming or dislike close physical contact.
• Under-Sensitivity (Hyposensitivity): Seeming oblivious to pain or temperature changes. May not register hunger or fullness cues. May crave intense stimulation like jumping, crashing, or loud noises.
• Sensory Seeking: Engaging in repetitive behaviors to seek sensory input they find calming or stimulating. This could involve chewing on objects, rocking back and forth, or seeking out loud noises.
• Sensory Avoiding: Actively avoiding situations or stimuli they find overwhelming or unpleasant. This might involve refusing to wear certain clothes, avoiding haircuts, or covering their ears in noisy environments.

Impact of SPD:

• Difficulty with daily activities like dressing, eating, or socializing.
• Challenges with focus and attention.
• Behavioral problems due to frustration or difficulty communicating sensory needs.
• Social isolation due to sensory sensitivities or difficulty engaging with others.