Sensory integration – description, causes, types of disorders, integration exercises

In the early stages of our life, there may be deficiencies or abnormalities in the nervous system related to the process of organizing sensory impressions, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Thanks to special sensory therapy, which involves receiving sensory stimuli, you can exercise and support proper development. In our country, children have been treated with this method since 1993.

Thanks to sensory integration, we can correctly perceive and interpret sensory stimuli (light, sound, taste, touch, smell). In this way, we know how to react adequately to the situation. However, there are cases where the process of developing sensory integration is not going well. Then there are various problems in the functioning and behavior of the child. Such children may be averse to things that overstimulate their senses, such as loud environments, bright lights, or intense smells. They may also look for extra stimulation in places that don’t stimulate their senses sufficiently.

Sensory integration disorders are also the result of damage to the sensory organs, that is, people with visual impairment or hearing loss can cope with them.

According to a 2017 study published in Early Human Development, as well as a 2020 research review, sensory integration issues may be related to prenatal or birth complications, which may include:

1. premature birth;
2. low birth weight;
3. parental stress;
4. drinking alcohol or taking drugs during pregnancy.

The problem with sensory integration can also be caused by the influence of certain substances or the lack of sensory stimulation. In addition, the way the brain responds to senses and stimuli can be altered due to abnormal brain activity.

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Conditions or disorders associated with impaired sensory integration can include various aspects.

1. Autism spectrum disorder. People with autism can have changes to the nerve pathways in the brain that process sensory information.
2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD affects the ability to filter unnecessary sensory information, which can lead to sensory overload.
3. Schizophrenia. In people with schizophrenia, abnormal mechanisms in the brain’s sensory pathway and the way it makes and organizes connections between neurons can cause changes in sensory and motor processing.
4. Sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbances, such as lack of sleep, can cause delirium, which in turn can lead to temporary problems with sensory processing.
5. Developmental delay. Developmental delays are also not uncommon in people with sensory integration disorders.
6. Brain Injury. Traumatic brain injury may be another potential cause of sensory integration disorders.

Coming back to the above-mentioned attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, children with this problem experience hyperactivity for a different reason than children who have sensory integration disorders. A child with ADHD often has difficulty concentrating or sitting still, however, in a child with a sensory integration disorder, this will be due to either the disturbing environment or the need for sensory interaction with the world around him.

Sensory integration disorders – types

There are three main categories of sensory integration disorders.

1. Sensory Modulation Disorder – the most common form of sensory integration disorders. Indicates problems with regulating the response to stimulation. People with sensory modulation disorders react poorly or excessively because the nervous system does not know when to pay attention to stimuli and when to ignore them. This leads to an incorrect sensory search or hiding from stimulation. This type of disorder can take the form of overactivity (overreaction of the body to perceived sensory impressions) or sensory subactivity (lack of response of the body to perceived sensory impressions).
2. Sensory Discrimination Disorder – such persons feel confusion as to the sources of sensations, i.e. they cannot distinguish the strength and intensity of the incoming stimuli. This can lead to difficulties in locating in space, clumsiness, difficulty noticing hunger, or difficulty distinguishing letters and sources of sounds.
3. Sensory-Based Motor Disorder – this character leads to problems with tasks that require motor control, such as holding school supplies, sitting upright, or balancing. They take the form of dyspraxia (inability to plan and properly perform motor activities) and postural disorders (increased or decreased muscle tension, imbalance of the tonus of flexing and straightening muscles).

Inconsistent severity of symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose sensory integration disorders, which, if left untreated, can make patients feel so overwhelmed that they self-isolate to avoid overstimulation. It can also lead to anxiety, secondary depression, social isolation, or problems with being successful in school or work.

Another abnormality in a child’s development may be excessive or insufficient sensitivity to sensory stimuli. In the case of excessive sensitivity, the child may react badly to noise, even crying, does not like washing his hair or has an aversion to certain types of clothes or food. In the latter case, the toddler may be disrespectful and unresponsive to pain or cold.

It is also worth observing whether the child can focus on one activity for a long time. An inappropriate level of concentration is also a symptom of sensory integration disorders. There may also be an abnormal level of physical activity. In this case, we can meet with hyperactivity, which is manifested by running, fidgeting, and the child’s reluctance to any physical activity – the toddler gets tired quickly. Sensory integration disorders are also a reduced level of motor coordination. The result of this irregularity are situations in which our child has problems with maintaining balance, often stumbles. There are also problems catching and throwing the ball, using scissors and even getting dressed. Older children may have problems with exercising in PE lessons.

The child may also develop behavioral difficulties. This results in problems with adapting to the new situation, and the child may react aggressively or withdraw at all. It is also worth observing whether the toddler constantly touches various objects, puts them in his mouth. It can bite nails, sleeves or pens – these are also symptoms of sensory integration disorders. If parents notice some of the symptoms listed above, it is worth talking to your pediatrician. The doctor may refer the child to a psychologist. In the age of the Internet, you can also use the website www.pstis.pl and fill out a sensory questionnaire there.

See also: How to recognize sensory integration disorders? Touch, sight and hearing

Diagnosing sensory integration disorders

Specialists, i.e. sensory integration therapists, base the diagnosis of sensory integration disorders on:

1. an interview with the parents;
2. questionnaire (also addressed to parents);
3. observation of the child in the sensory integration room;
4. South Californian tests (child must be 4 years or older);
5. clinical observation tests.

This allows you to approach the problem objectively and define the exact goals of the therapy. However, the diagnosis is not made in one, but several meetings, after which the specialist gives his opinion and discusses everything with the child’s caregivers.

At this point, it should be emphasized that the diagnosis of sensory integration disorders can only be carried out by a qualified SI therapist. Such a person must have completed university studies in the field of physiotherapy, pedagogy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, medicine or psychology and a several-week course of sensory integration or studies that provide a legal basis for diagnosis and therapy.

The Polish Association of Sensory Integration Therapists is an institution associating SI therapists in our country.

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Treatment of sensory integration disorders

There is currently no standard treatment regimen for sensory integration disorders. In the case of treating problems with sensory integration, physical therapy or occupational therapy are usually used, among others.

1. Occupational therapy – during which the therapist helps the child to exercise or learn activities that are usually avoided due to sensory problems. At school, therapists can also work with your child’s teacher to better support their sensory needs in the classroom.
2. Physical therapy – where the physiotherapist works out with the child a scheme of actions to help him satisfy his desires for sensory stimuli. These activities may include exercises such as jumping jacks or running in place. In addition, as part of physical therapy for children with sensory integration disorders, weighted or sensory vests or planned sensory breaks are also used.
3. Sensory integration therapy – which includes the previously mentioned occupational therapies and physical therapy. Sensory integration therapy is intended to help a sick child respond properly to the senses. Therapy helps children understand how their experiences differ so that they can identify a more typical response. It should be added, however, that the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy has not yet been proven by research.
4. Sensory diet – which will complement the therapy guilty. However, it is not a diet in a nutritional sense, but a list of sensory activities. These activities are designed to help your child stay focused and organized throughout the day. Like sensory integration therapy, the sensory diet is tailored according to the child’s needs and may include: obstacle courses; walks with animals; jumping on trampoline; cycling; swings (front and back, side to side, swivel); playing with pillows or balls; carrying a heavy backpack for playing or walking etc.

Therapists dealing with these disorders have a wealth of knowledge in the field of neurobiology. Thanks to this, while working with the child, they stimulate his senses and improve deficit areas. The effect of exercises is the reduction or complete elimination of sensory hypersensitivity to unwanted stimuli, or in the case of reduced sensitivity, it is stimulated thanks to the delivery of strong sensory signals. Objects with different textures are used, for massage, the child swings in a hammock, rides a skateboard or balances on a cradle.

The presence of the parent is very important during the classes, as he or she is an active participant in the child’s therapy. During classes, the specialist’s task is to observe the child’s reactions and any changes in his behavior. It is important for the therapist to be able to adapt the program of work with the child to the progress he is making. The therapy is tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

As a support for the therapy, it is worth using Weighted blankets, which are available at medonetmarket.pl at favorable prices.

Prognosis for sensory integration disorders

Unfortunately, there is no cure for sensory integration disorders. Likewise, there is also not much research looking into the perspectives of children with altered sensory integration. Some doctors do not treat sensory problems on their own, but rather target symptoms during general treatment for a diagnosed condition, such as autism spectrum disorder or ADHD.

Keep in mind that some children may have fewer age problems, while others may just learn to cope with these experiences.

Living with impaired sensory integration

Living with a sensory integration disorder can be difficult. Parents of children with sensory integration disorders may feel lonely. They may avoid taking their child out in public to avoid sensory overload. Parents may also feel they have to make excuses for their child’s behavior.

Adults with sensory integration disorders may also feel isolated. Sensory overload can prevent them from leaving the house. This can make it difficult to go to the store or even to work. Adults who struggle with sensory integration disorders should work with an occupational therapist. The therapist may be able to help them learn new responses to stimuli. This can lead to changes in the way you cope with certain situations, which in turn can lead to an improvement in your lifestyle.

Sometimes, even though sensory integration disorders improve with therapy or age, they may unfortunately never go away. A major life event or stress can trigger symptoms again.

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Sensory integration disorders – complications

Failure to take the proper steps to treat your child if they have a sensory integration disorder can lead to many problems in their daily life.

1. Difficult access to the pre-school or school curriculumbecause the child is unable to complete the tasks long enough to complete them, which can lead to delay in learning and not being promoted to the next grade.
2. Difficult social integrationbecause a child may have difficulty learning to play with peers and may sometimes hurt their peers due to poor awareness of correct behavior.
3. Bad sleep habitswhich can affect skill development due to fatigue.