Sensory Processing (also called Sensory Integration)

Definition

Sensory processing refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the sensory organs and transmits them to the brain where they are interpreted and organised into response messages and transmitted out to the body to ‘tell it’ how to react.

There are eight sensory systems in the body, five that we are very familiar with and three that are just as important but not as well known:

Each of these systems is constantly transmitting information to the brain to keep it informed of the movement and well-being of the body and its immediate environment. Therefore the brain is dealing with a vast amount of information which it has to Integrate (link together) and Interpret (understand) in order to Respond by sending an instruction to the body.

Here is a simple example: If you touch something very hot with your finger, your sense of touch (which has sensors in the skin) is stimulated, it transmits a message to the brain, the brain interprets this message and sends a response message to the muscles and joints of your hand, ‘telling them’ to move it away from the heat. Of course these messages are going to and from the brain in milliseconds to enable almost instant reactions.

Sensory Processing Disorder SPD (also called Sensory Integration Dysfunction)

Definition

SPD is caused when a fault occurs with the transmission or interpretation of the sensory information. As a result it does not get organised into appropriate responses. People with SPD perceive and respond to sensory information differently than most other people.

Sensory information gets “mixed up” in their brain and therefore their responses are inappropriate to the situation they are in.

A more formal definition is: SPD is a neurologic condition in which sensory information either from the environment or from one’s body is poorly detected, integrated or interpreted causing atypical responses.

Pioneering Occupational Therapist, psychologist, and Neuroscientist Jean Ayres, Ph.D., likened SPD to a neurological “traffic jam” that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret a situation correctly.

Causes

The exact cause of Sensory Processing Disorder has not yet been identified. Preliminary studies and research suggest that SPD may be inherited. Prenatal and birth complications have also been identified as causes of SPD, as well as certain environmental factors.

Incidence

Sensory Processing Disorder can affect anyone. Studies indicate that 5% to 10% of children exhibit symptoms of SPD. Ben Sasoon, Carter et. al., 2009)

Most children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) are just as intelligent as their peers. Many are intellectually gifted. Their brains are just wired differently.

Symptoms

SPD can occur in just one sensory system or in a combination of the eight systems (above) The symptoms of SPD vary greatly depending upon 1) the sense that is affected, 2) how that sense is affected, and 3) the severity of the condition.

People with SPD misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement. They may feel bombarded by information (over responsive) or they may be unaware of sensations that others feel (under responsive).

Individuals who are over responsive to sensory information:

• Are more sensitive to sensory stimulation than most people. Their bodies feel sensation too easily or too intensely.
• They are often quiet and passive, not responding to stimuli of the usual intensity available in their sensory environment.
• They may appear withdrawn, difficult to engage and or self-absorbed because they do not detect the sensory input in their environment.
• Their under responsivity to tactile, vestibular or proprioceptive stimuli may lead to poor body awareness clumsiness.
• They may not respond to social cues, objects that are too hot or cold or they may not feel pain in response to bumps, falls, cuts, or scrapes.

These difficulties put children with SPD at risk of many emotional, social, and educational problems, including the inability to make friends or be a part of a group, poor self-concept, academic difficulties, and being labelled clumsy, uncooperative or disruptive. They can experience anxiety, aggression, or other behaviour problems

Treatment

Effective treatment for Sensory Processing Disorder is available, but far too many children with sensory symptoms are misdiagnosed and not properly treated. Untreated SPD that persists into adulthood can affect an individual's ability to succeed in relationships, work, and social environments.

Once children with Sensory Processing Disorder have been accurately diagnosed, they benefit from a treatment program of occupational therapy (OT) using a Sensory Integration approach. When appropriate and applied by a well-trained clinician, listening therapy or other complementary therapies such as Behavioural Optometry are also very effective.

Sensory Integration Therapy usually takes place in a special ‘sensory-rich’ gym. During OT sessions, the therapist guides the child through fun activities that are subtly structured so the child is constantly challenged but always successful.

The goal of Occupational Therapy is to develop appropriate responses to sensation in an active, meaningful, and fun way so the child is able to behave in a more functional manner. Over time, the appropriate responses generalise to the environment beyond the Gym including home, school, and the larger community. Effective Sensory Integration Therapy thus enables children with SPD to take part in the normal activities of childhood, such as playing with friends, enjoying school, eating, dressing, and sleeping.