Term
| Children with sensory integration problems may exhibit any of the following: |
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Definition
Motor Delays
Speech/Language delays
Poor play skills
Hyper or hypo activity level
Hypotonia
Difficulty with sensory registration/distractibility/short attention span
Hyper or hypo sensitive to sensation |
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Term
| What is normal sensory integration or processing? |
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Definition
Sensory integration begins in utero and typically develops during normal childhood activities
It is the brain’s ability to interpret and organize information from the senses for use to function |
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Term
| Reasons why sensory integration did not develop normally or is disordered |
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Definition
Deprived environments
Other diagnosis with sensory processing problems
Often from “normal” families with other typical children
Pure SI dysfunction occurs alone |
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Term
| Potential SI Co-morbidities |
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Definition
Learning disabilities
Attention deficit disorder
Neurological disorder
Genetic disorder |
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Term
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Definition
Vestibular
Proprioceptive
Tactile |
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Term
| Indicators of vestibular SI problems |
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Definition
Fidegety
In constant motion or very lethargic
Low muscle tone
Tips back in chair
Has to use hands to hold head up in seated position
Resists being moved by others
Gravitational insecurity |
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Term
| Anatomy affecting vestibular SI |
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Definition
Lateral and medial vestibulospinal tract, medial longitudinal fasciculus
Semi circular canal- rolling and rotation
Sacule- vertical linear motion
Utricle- linear acceleration |
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Term
| Indicators of Proprioceptive SI problems |
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Definition
“bull in a china shop”
Presses too hard with crayons, pencils
Does not seem to know own strength
Needs to look at body for accuracy of movement
Maybe very sloppy handwriting/coloring
Clumsy
Weak grip |
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Term
| Anatomy affecting Proprioceptive SI |
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Definition
Spinocerebellar tract
Lateral spinothalamic
Dorsal Column Medial Lemniscus
Sensory information caused by contraction and stretching of muscles and by joint movements and compression
System is responsible for tone maintenance and development of movement |
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Term
| Indicators of tactile SI problems |
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Definition
Avoidance of messy activities or excessive interest in
Wants to be last in line
Avoid/irritated by certain textures/clothing
Resists grooming/hates haircuts
Doesn’t like others near his “space”
May want to hit someone who surprises touches him from behind
Very picky eater, only eat certain texture |
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Term
| Anatomy affecting tactile SI |
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Definition
Spinothalamic- warns of danger, fight or flight, responds to less specific touch, warns of danger
Dorsal column medial lemniscal- discrimination, more localized and specific, localizes exact spot of touch and assesses pressure. |
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Term
| Ways sensory input is disordered: |
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Definition
Overarousal
Underarousal
Shutdown
Fluctuating arousal- sometimes very active/sometimes very sluggish
Theorized to be related to problem in chemistry of the brain stem |
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Term
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Definition
Can arise any time in life
If you suspect abuse do not take away defensiveness
Characterized by exaggerated avoidance to specific sensations as well as unexpected illogical dramatic behaviors – very sensitive to sounds, only likes certain textures, afraid of heights |
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Term
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Definition
Over and under registration
Delayed registration
Impaired discrimination of specific sensation – ex. Does not cry when hurt |
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Term
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Definition
o TSFI- test of sensory function in infants (18 mo-3 years)
o Degangi-Berk test of sensory integration ( 3-5 years)
o SIPT- Sensory integration and praxis tests
* 4-9 years
* Standardized, norm referenced
* Recommended to take 3 courses and exam to effectively administer |
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Term
| What can you impact with SI |
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Definition
gross motor and fine motor skills
motor planning
speech/language
self esteem
activity level/behavior
attention span
academics
organization
social participation
sleep wake cycle
play skills |
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Term
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Definition
Direct treatment by therapist using equipment to address tactile, vestibular or proprioceptive needs but ALWAYS
Include a “sensory diet” – basically a sensory home program
Brushing and compression programs for sensory defensiveness |
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