Sensory Integration is the neurological process by which the brain organises and interprets sensory information. The brain is constantly receiving sensory information from the environment and from inside the body with which it has to make sense of what is happening around us. This process provides a crucial foundation for more complex learning and behaviour.
Sensory integration is part of the developmental process of childhood and matures through everyday ordinary play activities. However, for some children, sensory integration does not develop as efficiently as it should and results in a dysfunction known as Sensory Processing Disorder [SPD]. This difficulty is quite a common and can either exist on its own or with other diagnosis such as autistic spectrum, ADHD or other neuro developmental disorders.
SPD can result in a dysfunction to process any one of the following sensory systems:
- Vestibular - Sense of movement and balance
- Tactile - Sense of touch
- Proprioception - Sense of where the body is in space
- Vision - Sensory of sight
- Olfactory - Sense of smell
- Gustatory - Sense of taste
- Auditory - Sense of sound
Some signs of SPD include (SPD leads to difficulties in learning, motor skills and behaviour):
- Co-ordination difficulties, clumsiness
- Difficulty learning new movements
- High activity levels, fidgeting, being constantly on the go
- Poor body awareness
- Over responsive reactions to touch, movements, sights or sounds
- Lack of response to touch, movements, sights or sounds
- Poor emotional and behavioural responses
- Distractibility, impulsivity, limited attention
- Delays in speech, language and/or motor skills
- Specific learning difficulties and/or perceptual difficulties
- Poor self-care skills
- Delays in academic achievement
- Fussiness with eating
- Poor sleep patterns
Sensory Integration Therapy For Children
Sensory Integration assessment
At WonderKids Paediatric Centre, a Sensory Integration assessment may take place as part of a wider Occupational Therapy assessment. This depends on your child’s needs and involves both standardised assessments and non standardised observations by the SI specialist. The assessment may take up to 1.5 hours depending on the needs of the child. The fun nature of Sensory integration assessment allows a children to enjoy the assessment and engage willingly in the process. A report summarising the findings will be discussed during a parents meeting.Sensory Integration Therapy Sessions
The aim of therapy is promote a change in they way your child responds to the sensory messages and learn new ways how to produce meaningful responses. The therapeutic process involves working with both the child and the parents. Hence, therapy also aims to educate parents, caregivers, families, childcare workers and teachers to provide a context which is conducive to the child’s sensory processing style. The sessions are carried out on a one to one basis, under the guidance of a therapist. The frequency of the sessions will depend on your child’s needs. During SI therapy we will be addressing the underlying causes rather the symptoms and this is essential in sustaining the required change in their behaviour, attention and motor development. The therapeutic impact of the sessions starts when your child actively takes in sensation through the playful context. The therapist will then help to activate the neural pathways and provide organization within the central nervous to produce more regulated responses. Sessions are aimed to teach the children to succeed. During Sensory Integration sessions the SI specialist will use a variety of therapy techniques. These will be individualised to your child’s specific sensory needs. Some of the techniques used may include: Therapressure Brushing Protocol Therapeutic Listening® Family training Implementation of cognitive strategies to promote self-regulation Intense and direct sensory integrative therapy Oral-motor programs Environmental modifications to support a child’s sensory processing patternsRecommendations for home and school
As part of the therapeutic process the therapist can carry out school observations. The aim is to advise teachers about the required adaptations to the environment or specific teaching strategies/activities as per your child’s needs. Additionally throughout the program, parents will be given guidance on suitable home activities.Sensory Integration Services at WonderKids Paediatric Centre Malta
Assessments
Early years Screening and Assessment
Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT)
ADOS Test
Evaluations for MATSEC Examination Arrangements
Therapy
Therapeutic Listening
Therapressure Brushing Protocol
Oral motor program
Sensory Diets for home and School
Education
School informative sessions
Parents informative sessions
Blog
Educational Support
School Liaison
School observations
Consultative school meetings