Home 
About Us
Your Guide to 
Sensory Integration
What is Sensory
Integration Dysfunction?
Research
Education
Just for Parents
FAQs
Fact Sheets on SPD
Contact Us
Newsletter
|
|
What is Sensory Integration Dysfunction?
|
Development occurs in spirals, each curve laying a foundation for the next. With
effective intervention and complete understanding, children with disabilities can
build the scaffolding needed to support an upward spiral of development.
|
|
| |
Imagine you are a bright kindergarten boy whose ears fill with pain whenever the
school fire alarm rings. While the other children line up to leave the room, all you
can do is hide in the corner with your hands over your ears.
|
| |
Imagine you are a 10 year-old girl who is friendly and has a wonderful
imagination but cannot kick a soccer ball, learn the steps in dance class, or ride
a bike.
|
| |
Imagine you are an adult who has become socially
isolated because the slightest touch feels threatening, and the smells and sounds of
restaurants, malls, and movie theaters are intolerable.
|
| |
Imagine you are a parent of a young child who struggles with sleeping and
eating and is irritable much of the day. You hope that it is only a stage, but each
day becomes a difficult trial. |
Sensory integration dysfunction is an often unrecognized disorder that is seen in
otherwise typically functioning individuals as well as those with autism, attention
deficit disorder, learning disabilities, and other neurological conditions. These
individuals are not able to effectively process information from their senses
(touch, hearing, sight, taste, smell, and movement), resulting in delays in motor
skills and problems with self-regulation, attention, and behavior.
Occupational and physical therapists specializing in sensory integration are able to
identify and treat these problems. Through therapy, children, adolescents, and adults
with sensory integration dysfunction can master skills, develop self-confidence, and
find increased ease and comfort in their daily lives.
|
|
