What Is Sensory Integration Therapy And Who Needs It?

Sensory Integration is the ability to receive information from the environment using our five senses (actually 8), organize it within our body and act accordingly. A simple example of sensory integration is ignoring the vehicle honking while speaking to someone, knowing that someone is peeling an orange around you or trying to balance yourself. Some adults and children show sensory issues. We all have our sensory preferences: to wear only soft clothes or full sleeves/pants, not like loud sounds, pacing while learning, and playing with your hair strands while thinking or walking. So, we all have our sensory baseline for tolerating particular sensory stimulation from the environment. E.g., A child's need to move constantly causes him difficulty focusing, the visual need to spin objects or toys prevents him from participating in shared or pretending to play with a friend or not allowing hair trimming, and combing can make one look shabby. A cluster of such sensitivities or seeking behaviour is termed sensory processing disorders or sensory processing issues.

WHO NEEDS IT?

These sensory issues are usually reported in autistic children, ADHD kids, global developmental delay or cerebral palsy. Sensory Integration Therapy can resolve these issues. (Dr Isha Soni is a Certified Sensory Integration Therapist and licensed Senior Occupational Therapist with over thirteen years of experience from the University of Southern California)