SENSORY INTERGRATION AND ITS EFFECTS 

 

When I think of SENSORY INTERGRATION I think  of grocery shopping.  I say that because  I have many different item that are all bunched together,  place in a bag and brought home . Once inside I have to separate them and put them away in an orderly fashion.  What if I could not do that and the items just stayed bagged up with no organization . How would that feel? 

PIECES OF THE PUZZLE...

So as I continue to learn about sensory issues  ,  I see more pieces to the puzzle.  I learn different terminology and how those terms fit into our world . 

 

Sensory modulation is one of those  terms . It  refers to the brains ability to regulate it's own activity.  Managing how much sensory input to let through at any point in time. 

Everyday we are exposed to a multitude of sensations each that vary in intensity. Effective sensory modulation allows us to filter out irrelevant information ,so we can attend to and respond to stimuli that is  pertinent. People with sensory modulation disorder struggle with this concept . This struggle often results in extreme reactions. 

Lets  take a look at  three types of sensory modulation! 

SENSORY OVER RESPONSIVITY (HYPERSENSITIVITY) -Refers to a heightened sensitivity to sensory input .This sometimes makes it difficult for a person to control their response. This lack of control causes distress, aggression,  anxiety and sometimes panic !  SENSORY OVER RESPONSIVITY  CAN RESULT IN SENSORY AVOIDANCE.  

SENSORY AVOIDANCE  those who are sensory avoiders actively avoid situations that make them overwhelmed or uncomfortable. 

 

SENSORY UNDER RESPONSIVITY (HYPOSENSITIVITY)

Sensory input is slower to register .  A person with hyposensitivity  has a lower arousal level to stimuli.  SENSORY UNDER RESPONSIVITY CAN PRODUCE SENSORY SEEKERS. 

 

SENSORY SEEKERS look for more stimulation . They my engage in constant movement such as rocking or pacing as a way to stimulate and maintain an optimal level of stimulation . Sensory seeker sometimes appear to be clumsy as sometimes they crash into object .

 

There are signs to recognize for seekers and avoiders .

SEEKERS - STAND TO CLOSE TO OTHERS WHEN THEY ARE TALKING, THEY ENJOY JUMPING , BOUNCING ,CRASHING INTO OBJECT , CHEW ON NON FOOD ITEMS LIKE THEIR SHIRTS. 

 

SENSORY AVOIDANCE- PICKY EATERS, AVOIDS PHYSICAL TOUCH, DISLIKES CERTAIN TEXTURES  , STARTLED BY LOAD NOISES.

People with HYPOSENSITIVITY may find sensory input alerting and help a person who feels sluggish. 

People with HYPERSENSITIVITY may find sensory input can calm an overloaded system and help a person feel organized within their own body.

 

Sometimes a person can struggle with both HYPERSENSITIVITY and HYPOSENSITIVITY . That's why it is important to know what triggers the behavior, having a plan to help your child het through it. 

In our case my daughter is has HYPERSENSITIVITY and HYPOSENSITIVITY. Therapy has helped her learn to regulate her body which helps her responses. We still have a long way to go ,but it's encouraging to see the progress that has been made.